2019 In Review

This is the time of year when people make resolutions for the next year. Usually there is talk of losing weight, saving more, getting ahead.

Before I consider resolutions (or plans) for 2020, I would like to look back at 2019, and think about accomplishments I can point to with pride. I find it is healthier for me to concentrate periodically on things that have gone well, rather than always pointing out what needs to improve.

Professional highlights

This was my first full year working a 0.9 FTE position. Though I certainly had days (weeks) when I felt the cut in hours made no difference, I had a good number of weeks when the difference was huge. Leaving work at 7 pm now is the exception, rather than the rule.

Despite cutting back (a smidge) at work, I took the opportunity to expand what I do beyond the clinical. I mentored a student who presented a poster at a national meeting; I judged posters (not at that national meeting); I gave a new talk to the residents; I was approached by a resident about personal finance; and I joined a committee. None of these are career-changing, but it is gratifying to do something different.

Actually, I would say that I was able to try these different activities because I cut back a little in my clinical work, and not despite it.

Financial highlights

I paid off my mortgage!

I did that despite reducing my position to 0.9 FTE. I wasn’t sure at first how I would manage my goals, but manage them I did.

In addition to paying off my mortgage (can I say that again? I paid off my mortgage!), I also maxed out my 403(b) contributions and contributed to a Backdoor Roth.

Family/Travel

This year ended up circling around family.

I started the year on a trip to see relatives from my husband’s side of the family.

We traveled to my parents for several of the usual holidays, and dropped everything (twice) so that I could be with my dad while he was in the ICU. I periodically give lip service to “not playing the doctor card,” (announcing to all that I am an MD), but that went by the wayside during those visits.

We visited my brother at his home, and took a short trip to visit my in-laws over the summer.

In fact, except for work-related trips (of which there aren’t many when you are a PCP), all of our trips involved seeing family.

Blog highlights.

I wrote about this last week, in my Monday post. I haven’t exactly come blazing out of nowhere to become a widely read blogger, but I’m proud of what I did accomplish in 2019.

Personal highlights

I think the biggest highlight is that I am much less stressed than I was in 2018.

A lot went into making that happen, including cutting my hours, paying off the house, spending time concentrating on writing for the blog.

Some factors were in my control: working out more, getting set up with a trainer.

I read 50% more books this year, compared to 2018 or 2017. Some were new and some were old favorites, but taking the time to read them was, I think, helpful in reducing my daily stress.

Looking forward

On review, what jumps out the most is that getting some variety in my life–trying out new things at work, nourishing my health with exercise and my brain with books and my heart with family–was incredibly important this year.

This is all something to think about as I work on goals/plans for 2020.

How about you? Did you have a good 2019? Do you still have unfinished goals? Are you ready for 2020?