I left the Midwest in Aug 2011, bawling my eyes out. I was leaving a great teaching job at a school I loved, away from family I adored. I needed to study acupuncture and practice chiropractic, while teaching gross anatomy.
The only place that I could to accommodate all three? New York City.
Somehow, it all clicked, and I made it all work – trimester by trimester – for 2 years. I balanced school, practice, and teaching. Then, I added in strength goals and lead instructing for a seminar series. Two teaching jobs quickly turned into six. Then, prospects of opening my own doors followed.
Opportunity came knocking – over and over again.
I looked at my fall schedule, and I saw no slot to breathe.
Teaching for five schools within one semester.
Practicing 30 hours a week.
Lead instructing a seminar series.
Training for advanced strength goals.
So, something had to give for four months. And I chose my acupuncture studies.
Filling out that leave of absence form was defeating – but only for a moment.
That’s the consequence of doing it all: something must give if it just doesn’t work anymore.
So for four months, my official acupuncture studies go on hold. But I have a feeling the hiatus will infuse me with motivation over the fall until I resume them, come January.
It works until it doesn’t. And one must be okay with it.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley