I’m 35 years old. I’m a new mom. I’m burnt out on my demanding career. I’m taking a reset.

At the young age of 35 I decided I needed a change. I was surgical resident working 80+ hours a week. I had a 3 month old at home who I barely spent anytime with. There were days I would wake up at 3:30am and come home after 7 or 8 pm and not see my newborn baby awake at all. I would work 12+ hour days Monday through Friday only to be working 24+ hours on Saturday and to sleep on Sunday. I was unhappy and wasn’t giving my family or my patients my best self. I needed a change.

So after a thorough discussion with my husband and my supportive parents I resigned. Fortunately, I’m over educated, like so many student loan burden millennials. I have an MD and a PhD. I’ll find a job. Eventually. I hope. But for now, I’m going to be a mom. I’m going to reset my physical and emotional health. And I’m going to cook.

I’ve always loved cooking. Similarly to surgery, you are working with your hands, but without the patient. Instead of wielding a scalpel I have a chef’s knife. Instead of an anesthesiologist I have my sous chef husband. And he loves to eat. So I cook and he eats (and does dishes). Cooking brings people together and for me its my love language. So I’m going to do some self love and chronicle my journey back to into the kitchen. Join me and find your self love in your own kitchen.