Fresh Out of Thyroids
“I’m fresh out of thyroids to give up for that.”
This is my current mantra these days. In the past, as a people-pleaser and perfectionist, I had a notorious track record of giving 1000% percent at every job I’ve ever dived into.
But in 2021 my body gave me a hard stop.
Doctors found out that my thyroid was massively enlarged. After a 3 1/2 hour surgery to remove it, we found out that it grew down to the arch of my aorta. The surgeon told me this was five years in the making and more than likely due to high-levels of stress.
Nothing like losing an organ to give some perspective on how you need to show up a bit differently in the world.
These days I’ve reeled it in so that I’m showing up at 90% instead of 1000%. And maybe one day I’ll get it down to a healthy 80%, but progress takes time.
These days I get to work from home which helps with my overall wellness. And I get to do this with an amazing company whose heartbeat is the wellbeing of women and their families. I have managers who genuinely understand I’m a human being - not a human doing.
So when the version of myself from before 2021 wants to jump in the driver’s seat, I take the keys away and tell her again we’re not doing that anymore. We simply have no more thyroids to give up for it.
Prioritize your wellbeing, friends. Eventually, your body will call the shots if you don’t intervene. Drink your water. Don’t go into the office at 7am and stay until 9pm. Delegate work assignments/tasks when you can. Nourish your body 90% of the time with food that’s not from a drive-thru or a gas station. Go outside and look up. Spend time with your people.
Your organs will appreciate it.
