Thread by @HennaMD

When I applied for my ERAS token in July 2021, I was in bed for almost 2 weeks because I knew what lay ahead of me. The only reason I got out of bed was to go to work at the urgent care I was with in MO or volunteer with COVID-19 vaccine clinics.

I didn't do anything but sleep..

I barely got out of bed to eat. I was just so depressed. Then, one day I realized I was wasting my time feeling like this.

I decided I was going to give #Match2022 my best shot, and if it didn't work out? I was DONE. This chapter would be over...

And I have to say, when I didn't Match on Monday and decided I was not going to #SOAP2022 I was literally relieved.

Because I had been practicing for the past 6mo in Missouri! I was not a failure, the system had failed me.

And I wasn't alone.

I decided then and there that I would do my very best to help make the system better.

No one would ever have to go through what I have these past 4 cycles.

No one would question their worth, their achievements, their ability.

It's funny this realization came this week.

Tomorrow is #Holi2022 the hindu celebration of new beginnings, mending broken relationships, and ultimately the triumph of good over evil.

My new beginning is that I won't be looking to residency to define my success in medicine..

I am mending my relationship with myself, choosing myself over the toxic cycle of being in limbo I have been in for so long.

So for those of you that go #unmatched and have navigated this week from #Match2022 to #SOAP2022 and the on to #Scrabmle2022...

Know you are worth so more than all of this.

And don't fall into the darkness I fell into. Don't isolate yourself. This system has a lot of problems, but there's always innovative ways to make meaningful change.

Tomorrow will always be brighter and definitely more colorful.

For those of you that want to know more about my experience with #Match2022 and prior.

https://twitter.com/HennaMD/status/1504510486028570654?s=20&t=HPtr1MZuu5-oMsQ0GlZkpg