Feeling like an imposter?

So, I’m sure many of you (maybe all of you) have heard the term imposter syndrome by now. This is a rather loaded term, and it is associated with feeling like you are not “good enough.” I have spent most of my life feeling like I was not “good enough”. I grew up, and was NEVER the popular kid, or the kid that was good at sports, etc. I struggled with “rejection” is all its many forms as I was growing up. First there were several guys who I crushed on that either ignored me or flat out rejected getting to know me. Then it came time to join the workforce and I got caught in the you need experience to get experience cycle. That is just the cliff notes of my background that got me to where I am today.

This March will mark 5 year since I got my Veterinary Technology degree, and this month marks 4 years actively working as an LVT! I have worked in several different clinics both during my schooling, and since becoming a LVT. I have been exposed to a lot of different things. Yet, I still feel like I am a kid “playing house”, and that I need a more adult adult to tell me what to do. I lack the confidence to believe that I can do a lot of things, at times. I also feel like I am not capable of being the type of adult that the world considers successful.

I have so many things that I feel like I should have done, or should have a better handle on by now, and there are days where I feel like I am a failure for not having it all together the way society says I should. I have been through so much that has brought me to where I am today, and while it has been anything BUT easy, there is so much of my journey that I would not trade for the world. I have been fighting a lot of negative self-image type of things lately, and wondering if the things I am passionate about and enjoy doing are of any value. For example, I have had the dream for a while now to be a content creator, but have struggled to feel like anyone would be interested in the lifestyle type of things that I am passionate about sharing. Overall, I just feel like “who cares” about what I have to share? I believe that I could be an awesome content creator if I could push past this view and just be more intentional about sharing the things I’m passionate about. I want to believe somebody out there could be inspired or motivated by my story.

I want to make 2024 the best year yet, and I want to believe that big things are going to happen for me this year! I don’t know exactly what that may mean, or how I will go about making these dreams a reality, but I am tired of believing the lie that I am not good enough, simply because my life doesn’t look like what society tells me it should. I am tired of feeling like an imposter or even a failure! I am taking back my life this year!

If you feel like you are an imposter or failure, know that you are not alone and you are good enough! I am here and ready to foster community with anyone who needs someone who believes they are more than capable! I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

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What are your goals/resolutions/dreams for 2024? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

National Veterinary Technician Week 2023

Happy National Vet Tech Week! This week looks a little different for me because it is the first Vet Tech Week since becoming a licensed Vet Tech that I am not working in a clinic. Instead I am working remotely as a Vet Tech Scribe. It crazy to think how much has changed over these last few years. Time has flown by, and there are plenty of times I still feel like a “baby” tech and I’ve been licensed since December 2019, and working as an LVT since January 2020.

I know how big of a deal imposter syndrome is because I do battle with it constantly. I am here to tell you (my fellow Vet Techs) that you are amazing! You are capable! You are worth it! You rock! I know this job can wear us out and wear us down, but on this special week that celebrates Vet Techs I am here to remind you that vet med needs YOU! We are all special and unique and therefore we all have a special and unique role to play in the world of vet med.

So, thank you for all you do for the animals! Remember why we do what we do, and that success in vet med looks different for everyone. I didn’t know when I started my journey in vet med that I would end up where I am at currently, but as I am just over a month into this new role I am excited about the progress I’ve made since day 1, and excited about what the next few weeks hold as I continue to settle into this job.

1 month reflection

I have been a Work-From-Home (WFH) veterinary professional for about a month now. First of all, time sure does FLY by, I can’t believe I’ve been at this job that long already. I wanted to take a moment to share with you about how this first month has gone. It hasn’t all been easy, but I believe that I have some great insights into what this job is teaching me already.

First of all here’s a bit of information on me, in case you didn’t know. I received my LVT in December 2019, and started my first tech job in a small animal clinic in January 2020 (just before the world were crazy). Covid 19 has forever changed the face of vet med in my opinion and I’m not sure if it’s all for the worse but it also isn’t all for the better either. Anyhow, I spent about 3 years at my first clinic before I felt like I needed a new challenge. I would work about another year in my second clinic before the having to drive 45 minuets or more one way started to wear on me. I live in a small town and the vets that can afford to offer all the wonderful adult job benefits require me to drive a great distance. When I learned about my present job working for the same company I originally worked with, only this time from the comfort of my own home it sounded too good to be true.

This past month has been an adjustment as I’ve navigated being home and at work. I am trying to create routines that help me to keep the two separated in my mind to help me have work-life balance. I have also had to navigate technology issues. I am taping into a whole side of me I wasn’t even aware of. I have always loved blogging, and social media, so computer skills come natural to me at least in part. There are also learning curves that come along with trying to translate the recordings for the medical records at times. I have also struggled with the ever present bully, imposture syndrome. Yes, I am an LVT with nearly 4-5 years under my belt (if you count my almost year as a kennel assistant), but there are many times I think that I’m just not “good enough”. I am learning to trust my gut, and have had numerous occasions where I have been proven wrong and a situation shows me I’ve got what it takes to do this.

Working from home has its own set of challenges, but I am really enjoying spending time in my own space. As someone who has had to battle mental issues due to stress this has been a blessing. It’s also been nice to not have to worry about driving to and from work on top of my shift because the clinics I have worked for are a 45 minuet or more drive one way. Sure I could have moved closer, but they were located in areas where I didn’t really wanna live and where I didn’t have the community and support system I have where I am at.

Cheers to one month of this adventure and the adventure still to come!

National Vet Tech Week is just around the corner (October 16-21, 2023). I am going to do my best to celebrate this year by sharing content. It’s gonna be strange with this being my first Vet Tech Week not in a clinic setting since I became an LVT.

Mountain Mama Vaca

It may have been a little more “unorthodox” vacation this year, but the memories were their own version of unmatched. There is something about the mountains that bring joy and peace to my soul. My plundering/shopping may have not been what I would have hoped for this time, but I had a blast visiting some of my favorite places as well as some new places.

There was still some time before the leaves truly started to change for the fall season, but I saw some hints of fall in the trees as well as the wonderful temperatures. It was nice to have nearly “perfect” weather to be outside.

I was even blessed to meet my very first alpacas face-to-face. They were something else. The boys were full of attitude and the girls were spoiled. The girl in the photo above had better lashes than me, and I wasn’t sure what to think about that.

I am so very thankful for quality time with my mom, even if it was only a few days of time in the mountains. These trips have become something I wouldn’t trade for anything. This was also a perfect way to celebrate as I transition into my new job.

As I am working to get my feet under me with my new job, I am also considering what kind of opportunity it will afford me to make the most of my Modern Vet Tech Lifestyle community. I really do want to share more, but have not worked out details yet as to what that could look like.

Comment below a way you like to have “me time” or vacation.

Life Update: August 2023

These past couple of months have been an adventure. I have not been as present on here, on my YouTube channel, in emailing, or on my other social media accounts as I would have liked in the last few months. I have had a lot of things going on and am very excited to share a bit of where I have been, and why I’ve been missing.

For starters, in April of this year I made the move from the Rv I had been living in for the last few years and into a 1960s home that’s full of character. In that process there has been a lot of adjusting that I have had to make and there has been a good bit of work that has had to be done to make this house my home. This is still a work-in-progress, but each day it feels more and more like home. The greatest blessing has been the fact that this home sits in a wonderful neighbor hood in the small town I grew up in for a good half-ish or so of my life. This means that I was moving to a place where I was already blessed with a wonderful support system. I wouldn’t trade this for the world. I am so very happy and blessed beyond words.

Secondly, I have had another big change in terms of my professional career. I have made the move from working in the clinic to working from home. This position offers the flexibility of remote work while also offering the security of an established company along with their benefits. I feel like this is the very best of both worlds.

As we begin the transition between August and September and college football begins, I can’t can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation and excitement about all these recent changes in my life. I am looking forward to see what adventure awaits and what new opportunities I have as a result of this big life shifts. I also can’t help but feel a sense of pride at how far I have come and the obstacles I have overcome to get to where I am today. Cheer to this new adventure and all that awaits! In the coming months I would love to be more present in my “Modern Vet Tech Lifestyle” community, but at this moment I am still trying to determine what that will look like, so I don’t want to make any promises yet. Keep your eyes open for more to come and thank you for being a part of this community!

Life Update: June 2023

I have been dealing with a lot over the past couple months, and keeping up with my “content creation” proved to be difficult. There has been a lot of stress as well as some mental health issues that have gone along with all these changes, but I wanted to take a moment to share how thankful I am for this community.

I started off this year making lots of progress when it came to content creation (esp. my email list), as well as reading regularly. I had set a goal to read an average of 1 book per month (or 12 books throughout the year).

Back in September 2022 I started a new job, and it has been a huge learning curve. In fact “learning curve” has been the theme for me recently.

I found a new/old community of Christian Fellowship with folks who have been like family for most of my life. I have been so very blessed by this wonderful community of old and new friends.

One of the most exciting things to happen in the last couple of months was the fact that I moved into a new place (my first house). In fact, I am thrilled to be back in my hometown where I am surrounded by some of the best people. Most of all I am blessed to have a place to be able to call HOME.

As a result of this move I have found all kinds of “old memories” that have been such a bright spot in my days recently. They have made my heart smile.

I finally feel like I am progressing as an “adult”. This is a strange feeling. I feel both excited and anxious all at once.

Finally, my work schedule has been a little busy and/or irregular lately, and I have been working to just establish some sort of routine. I am hopeful that the most recent schedule changes will prove to offer more opportunities for me when it comes to me having time for stuff outside of work.

Weekend Vibes

I have been a busy bee when it comes to producing a weekly email to share with my tiny email community. If you would like to be a part of this community I would LOVE for you to join us. I am seeking to provide a source of value and inspiration or motivation to your email inbox. You can join the community by clicking below.

Click here

The photos above are a sneak peek at what my weekend has consisted of. I went for a walk out is nature with someone special and we also went to a laser show. The laser show was a little chilly but pretty cool. The weather was near about perfect for the nature walk. This weekend of rest and enjoyment has been much needed. These last few weeks (or really months) have been a challenge, but days like today are the blessing my soul needs when times get rough.

What are some of your favorite things to do in your “off” time? What are your weekend vibes?

Four Ways I Deal With Stress

Veterinary medicine and the “adulting” world in general is full of stress and I am by no means an expert of dealing with stress. I just wanted to share some of the things that have helped me in the hopes that they help someone else. I have never been someone who has been motivated to exercise, especially when I have a lot going on in my life. I know that exercise is good for dealing with stress, and I am still trying to find the type of exercise that I can be inspired by. However, there are some things I have done that have proved helpful for me and I am going to share those things below.

#1 The most important thing that I find helpful (as a Christ Follower) is to pray whenever I am stressed. Along that same vein I find being in fellowship with like-minded believers and reading my Bible to be vitally important to helping me when life gets to be a little much.

#2 Journaling about what is going on, journaling my prayers (see #1 above) and getting my thoughts organized has been a great help for me. I have found that getting things out of my head and onto paper helps me to feel like I know not only what’s going on but also gives me an outlet to expressed those stressed feelings in an open and honest way.

#3 When things get stressful I like to remind myself of my WHY. That is why I started whatever it is. For example, as I was attempting to finish my vet tech degree and pass the VTNE I had to constantly remind myself of why I started this journey in vet med. Then when I have a stressful day at work I have to do the same thing. So know your why and constantly remind yourself when times get difficult.

#4 Finally, you can’t discount the benefit of a good cry sometimes. There are times when it can be “too much”, and I am trying to remember that in those moments that sometimes a good cry can do wonders. I am an Enneagram Two (The Helper/The Giver) this means that I am an empathetic and recovering people-pleaser. This can lead to feeling overwhelmed at times as well as being a little extra emotional. I am learning that it sometimes ok to allow myself to feel the emotions in order to deal with what is going on in the moment. Other times I will wait until I can have some time to set with the feels and have a good cry.

Those are just some of the things that I have found that help me to deal with the stress in my life. I am by no means an expert, and if you have strong emotions and stressors in your life please find someone who can help you. There is no shame in getting the help that you need. What helps you when you are stressed?

Updated Favorite YouTube Channels

I wanted to take a moment to share an update on the YouTube Channels that I am enjoying lately because I have discovered many new favorites in the last few months. I also have some channels that I have been loving for a long time as well.

Bottom Line Up Front this channel is extra special to me because it is a channel created by one of my childhood friends and her hubby to share their stories as they travel the world.

Holderness Family Laughs and Holderness Family Music are full of hilarious content from a very talented couple and their children. They have made all sorts of videos, but their parody videos are some of my favorites.

Jessica Braun posted some awesome lifestyle and beauty content, and I enjoy her content greatly. Her husband is also one of my favorite YouTube creators. He is a travel agent who specializes in all things Disney. I enjoy his channel TylerTravelsTV.

XO, MaCenna shares DIY and renovation content as she restores and renovates her 100+ year old home. She also has a vlog channel XO, MaCenna Vlogs where she shares more behind the scenes type content. Her ability to learn new skills is an inspiration.

The Birch Family is full of amazing lifestyle content from two sisters. I enjoy their sweet and funny posts. They also have an awesome store with cool clothes and stickers that are worth checking out.

Jessica Stansberry has amazing educational content for aspiring creatives and how to make money through content creation. Her energy and joy for life is contagious.

Sarah Rose and Sarah Rose Vlogs are full of videos about cruelty free and ethical beauty as well as the day-in-life are Sarah Rose. She is a great source of encouragement about being a mindful consumer.

Kelly Gooch is another wonderful source of information when it comes to cruelty free beauty. She will also share the occasional sneak peek of life in NYC.

Abbyefied , Amy Lynn Sattler, and Lisa ‘Lisbug’ Schwartz are all newer lifestyle channels that I have found and been enjoying. Each of these wonderful ladies offers a unique view of life, and I look forward to their content, as I learn a bit more about each of them as I experience more of their content.

Those are the YouTube channels that I have been enjoying recently, and I look forward to watching more content from each of these incredible creators in the days, weeks, months, and years to come.