Sometimes it takes a wake-up call to slow us down.
For me, it happened in the form of a cancer – which is why I share information on self-care and work-life balance so you hopefully don’t get to the point where I was before making changes.
For my recent guest on the Lean Out Podcast, Dr. Christine Ko, that wake-up call also came in the form of a stage one breast cancer diagnosis. The experience opened her eyes in a way that shifted how she views her time, her work, and her life.
Christine is a dermatologist and dermatopathologist who serves on the faculty of Yale University. She has learned to say no to certain work opportunities because she feels it is “not kind to myself.” Instead, she has turned to other sources of joy, including writing books about topics she’s passionate about, playing tennis, and learning from guests on her podcast The Girl Doc Survival Guide.
Through her experiences as both a patient and the parent of a very young patient, Christine has learned a tremendous amount about doctor-patient communication and what it means to take good care of yourself and those you love. In our conversation, she shares her experiences and how she’s changed her work-life balance to reflect a more self-compassionate approach.
One of Christine’s favorite breakthroughs is learning to let go of a fixed mindset. There’s not one way to live life, to parent, or to reach success and fulfillment. We discuss this concept as well, including letting go of rules you’ve been living by that don’t serve you.
What is one rule you’ve been following that might not be serving you? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below!
How to Give Yourself Permission
