jade thoughts

August 5, 2010

more green . . .
except i’m done with $ (for now). instead, i wanted to address something else that is often suggested by the emerald shade:

and that is envy.


[allie, that graphic was just for you!]
specifically, virtual-envy, if you will. i was reading a few really popular blogs this morning and noticed that i was feeling these little nagging pangs of jealousy as i read about new book deals, earning a full salary from one’s posts, and hearing amazing numbers like one million views/month (let’s just say i’m not sure if this blog has collected a million views EVER in its 6 year lifespan).

the thing is, i have absolutely no personal issues with these successful women — actually, i truly like and respect the ones i have met in real life! but i think it’s only natural to wonder (especially as someone doing this for quite a long time) what i could be doing better to grow my readership and turn blogging into more of a part-time career. or, put in a more negative light, what am i doing wrong that i haven’t “gotten anywhere” after all this time?

. . . AAAAAAAAAND then i snap back to reality and remember that i already have a more than full-time job in my own little corner of the medical field; a job that i truly love! from this angle, it might look glamorous to fly out to conference after conference, eating delicious treats while smiling for the camera, but i’m far too much of a homebody (and not nearly photogenic enough) for that to make me happy for long.

my reality is less glamorous, but it is much more ‘me.’ and i think i can let the green hue fade to a prettier blue now. tiffany-blue, perhaps.

don’t worry, that’s not a shopping reference — i just like the color!
i hope i am not offending anyone with this post; i just wanted to acknowledge these thoughts. i think that following blogs can be a wonderful and fun experience, but also dangerous in that you see just this little slice of someone’s life — and it’s often a more perfect picture than what is really there. NOT that i blame anyone for this; who wants to write about legal issues or little marital snits? (and who really wants to read about those things, anyway?)

the next time i notice these wistful pangs, i will remember that no one is holding a gun to my head and forcing me to train as a pediatric endocrinologist (that would be random, huh?). while it may not come with all that much fame & fortune, it is definitely as rewarding and interesting, and i feel lucky to have gotten where i am.

i also feel incredibly lucky to have the readers (and loyal commenters!) that i have. you all often provide substance in your insights that is often worth more than a million hits put together!

[i am still holding out for the book deal, though.]

just some food for thought on a thursday. has anyone had similar thoughts? if you are a blogger, do you have aspirations of doing so professionally? and if you are a publisher, can i have a book deal?

(sorry, couldn’t help it.)

happy thursday! the week is flying.

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8.4.10

workout: 5 miles on the TM (i had to stop and answer two pages, but it wasn’t TOO bad). 2 miles were at 8:00/mi pace, the rest was 8:35 to 9:13.

almost vegan: this polenta casserole from ED & BV was vegan UNTIL i sprinkled some jalopeno cheddar on top.


real cheese >>> fake cheese. i just couldn’t help it! the polenta crust got sort of fluffy and crunchy in the oven and was absolutely delicious. i’m looking forward to leftovers tonight!

reading: 15 PREP questions. i’m still on track with my study plan!

6 Comments

  • Reply Sarah Hart-Unger March 10, 2019 at 7:25 pm

    whew i treated myself to a midday glance at the comments and you are all so wise (as usual!). kristin, your comment definitely made me think a lot too (good point about the narcissism . . . although i REALLY hope i don&#39t come out too much like that!) and i definitely didn&#39t see it as negative — at all!

    also, i totally do feel lucky to have the career i do . . . i suppose it&#39s part of the &#39wanting it all&#39 syndrome that impacts so many women especially these days.

    more later but just had to thank you all for the insight.

  • Reply Nan March 10, 2019 at 7:25 pm

    Great post.. so honest and so true. It was ironic to me because I am not a doctor although I continue to wish and think about going that route so I so thoroughly look forward to reading your blog each morning to hear what the life of a doctor actually is about. Your blog continues to be one of my favorites. It seems so honest, real, and always interesting!

  • Reply BroccoliHut March 10, 2019 at 7:26 pm

    I can relate so much to this post. I get those same pangs of envy when I read other blogs. I mean, I&#39m not really successful in any way–yet. I just have to remember that someday my hard work will pay off.

  • Reply Carrie March 10, 2019 at 7:26 pm

    I know what you mean in terms of being jealous of other people&#39s successes. There must be something to learn from our jealousy even if means just taking a step back and appreciating where we are in life. Keep up the good work, doc! 🙂

  • Reply stevo March 10, 2019 at 7:25 pm

    not on topic at all:

    prescient posting of the wyclef video. did you see he&#39s running for president of haiti?

  • Reply Sarah March 10, 2019 at 7:25 pm

    I don&#39t get jealous reading blogs. I do, however, tend to get feelings of guilt. Feelings that I&#39m not eating well enough, exercising enough, working hard enough.

    I try to be mindful of this comparison/guilt trap and work towards not comparing myself with others. It&#39s hard but I try to use other blogs (like yours!) as inspiration to lead a healthier lifestyle.

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