Redefining Success, Preventing Burnout, and Dreaming of a Simpler Life in the Philippines

January 22, 2026

Good morning, beautiful souls. 🌤️

Today is January 22nd, 2026, and it’s another beautiful day to be gorgeous, stunning, amazing—inside and out. I’m on my way to work, bundled up because it’s a little chilly, but the sky is clear and the air feels hopeful. I’m standing here waiting for the Rainbow to cross the street, recording a simple little moment in my day, and feeling quietly grateful for this ordinary, extraordinary life.

I’m sleepy this morning, not going to lie. Tomorrow we wake up early for a work conference, and right after that we’re driving down to San Diego. We’re dropping off GI because Matthew is heading to France while I’m in the Philippines, and there won’t be anyone home to watch Dots. My brother graciously offered to take her for a month.

I think that’s one of the hardest parts about having a dog—you can’t just come and go as freely anymore. Traveling takes more planning. Going out to dinner takes more thought. There are sacrifices. But honestly? Dots saved me during my darkest season. She gave me unconditional love when I needed it most. So yes, I spoil her now. She earned it. And I’m endlessly thankful for her.

Choosing Myself, One Beautiful Ordinary Day at a Time

A Nurse Practitioner’s Morning Reflection & Midday Reset

Good morning, beautiful souls.
Today is January 22, 2026, and it is another beautiful day to be gorgeous, stunning, amazing — simply because we are here.

I’m on my way to work, wrapped in a little chill and a lot of gratitude, watching the city wake up around me. There’s something quietly magical about these in-between moments — waiting for the ride, crossing the street with the rainbow light, sipping coffee while the world moves a little slower than usual.

This is just a small slice of a day in the life of a nurse practitioner — nothing extravagant, just presence, breath, and intention.

The Little Things That Carry Big Meaning

Tomorrow I’ll be waking up early for a work conference, then heading to San Diego to drop off Dots before I leave for the Philippines. Matthew will be in France, and Dots will be staying with my brother for a month.

And as simple as that sounds, it’s layered with so much emotion.

Traveling when you have a dog is never simple. You have to plan around love. You have to negotiate your freedom with responsibility. But Dots saved me during one of the darkest seasons of my life — and I will always honor that. She gave me unconditional love when I needed it most, and now it’s my turn to show up for her.

So yes, I spoil her. And yes, she deserves every bit of it.

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Becoming the Woman Who Chooses Herself

As the car finally pulls up and I head to work, I find myself reflecting again.

I really am becoming that woman—the one who takes a leap of faith, who follows her heart, who chooses herself.

For most of my life, I defined success the way the world taught me to.

Berkeley. UCSF. Registered nurse. ICU nurse. Nurse practitioner in HIV medicine and primary care.

All of those are good things. All of those look great on a résumé.

But lately, I’ve been redefining what success actually means to me.

Right now, success is choosing myself.

It’s having the courage to think critically about where I am… and where I want to go.

And where I want to go is toward a life of fulfillment. A life of peace. A life of simplicity. A life where I prioritize my mom, my health, my joy, and the time I have left with the people I love.

Maybe success will mean something different to me one day. And that’s okay.

But today?

Success means building a life I actually want to wake up to.

Redefining What Success Looks Like

Lately, I’ve been becoming a new version of myself — a woman who chooses herself.
A woman who takes the leap of faith.
A woman who follows her heart even when fear is still present.

For most of my life, success looked like credentials and achievements:
Berkeley. UCSF. ICU nurse. Nurse practitioner in HIV medicine and primary care.
And I’m proud of that path. Truly.

But now, success feels different.

Success now looks like:

• Choosing peace over pressure
• Simplicity over spectacle
• Fulfillment over applause
• Family over expectations

To me, success is having the ability to think critically about where I am and where I want to go — and giving myself permission to choose a life that feels aligned, not just impressive.

A beautiful life, to me, is one where I choose myself — gently, intentionally, bravely.

Showing Up, Even When It’s Quiet

I’ve been very intentional about making these videos and writing these reflections.

They’re not reaching thousands of people. Not yet.

But I believe they’re reaching the right people.

And honestly, this is just as much for me as it is for anyone else.

This is me showing up for myself.

This is me practicing courage.

This is me telling my future self, “You did it, girl. You really did it.”

And if I can do it, so can you.

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Lunchtime Diaries: Preventing Burnout

By lunchtime, I step outside into the sun.

I’ve already seen 11 patients this morning. I felt anxious earlier, but I got through it. Notes done. Patients cared for. Another small win.

Technology is honestly helping me prevent burnout.

And so is something else I take very seriously: time off.

My PTO balance is always zero or negative. My mom and brother make fun of me for it.

But I use it on purpose.

Because I love my work—but it is stressful.

And if I want to stay in this profession long-term, I have to protect myself from burning out.

That’s why I’m so excited for the Philippines.

Five more workdays.

Then I leave.

I don’t have much planned.

Just being home. Being with my mom. Resting. Resetting. Reflecting.

Planting seeds—literally and metaphorically.

Creating Space for Rest Before Burnout Arrives

By lunchtime, I had already seen 11 patients and finished my notes — and I paused.
Not to squeeze in more work.
Not to prove productivity.
But to step outside, sit under the sun, and breathe.

I’ve learned to listen to the whispers of burnout before they turn into screams.
That’s why I take my PTO seriously — sometimes down to zero, sometimes even negative — because rest is how I stay in this profession with love and longevity.

Vacations are not escapes for me.
They are medicine.

My upcoming trip to the Philippines feels like a deep exhale — five more days of work, then I leave. And I can already feel the weight lifting.

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Dreaming of a Simpler Future

Lately, my mind has been full of ideas.

A retreat house focused on wellness and healing.

Small group trips to the Philippines for mental health journeys.

Introducing people to the quieter, less touristy parts of Northern Luzon.

Maybe even learning to teach yoga.

I’m not business-savvy.

I just have dreams.

And I don’t fully know how to make them real yet.

But I know this:

I will make the Philippines happen.

I just don’t know how.

Or when.

Yet.

And that’s okay.

Dreaming of a Life Rooted in Healing

More and more, I find myself dreaming beyond just vacations.

I imagine:

• A wellness retreat in the Philippines
• Healing journeys for small groups
• Yoga, reflection, rest, nature
• Introducing mental health and emotional wellness in a culture where it’s rarely spoken about

Northern Luzon — Ilocos, Vigan — places rich with history, quiet beauty, and untapped stories. Places not yet crowded by tourism, still whispering their magic softly.

I don’t know exactly how I’ll get there.
I don’t know when.
But I know I will.

Right now, I’m planting seeds:
Ideas. Reflections. Courage.
And trusting that clarity will meet me in motion.

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Rolling With the Flow

Sometimes life hands us a thousand possibilities at once.

And all we can really do… is roll with it.

This season of my life is about imagining.

About healing.

About becoming.

About being brave enough to live out loud.

Even when it feels cringey.

Even when it feels scary.

Even when no one is really watching.

Becoming the Woman Who Leaps

I’m not doing it yet — but I am becoming the woman who will.

And that matters.

These videos, these journals, these quiet reflections — they are my way of showing up for myself. My way of saying:
“I see you. I believe in you. We’re getting there.”

Someday, I’ll look back and say,
You did it, girl. You really did.

And if I can do it — you can too.

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A Love Note to You (and to Myself)

Thank you for being here.

Thank you for witnessing this chapter of my life.

Thank you for letting me be my authentic self.

We’re building something quiet and beautiful here.

A life.

A community.

A future.

One small brave step at a time.

Today really is another beautiful day to be gorgeous, stunning, amazing.

And I’m so grateful you’re here with me. 🤍