A significant number of us are familiar with the definition of health as the physical, mental, and social well-being of an individual and not just the absence of disease or infirmity. source However, a more acceptable definition by the Ottawa Charter, 1986 refers to Health as having the resources for everyday living which seems broader and more encompassing.
I remember a friend saying several years behind that nobody was normal but, we were all variations of normal. The year 2024 was one in which I took more conscious care of my health, though not as much as desired, but relatively to my satisfaction. My New Year resolution for 2024 was to prioritize myself and, importantly, to take care of my health. The decision to prioritize myself came at extra costs which made me much more intentional, relieving me of additional burdens I would have incurred living large.
Identifying the excesses was my first approach to keeping my health and sanity in check. You could refer to me as a superhero, multitasking several commitments ranging from work (including unofficial hours), family responsibilities, friends, and a longing for financial independence. The changes soon became noticeable, especially at my workplace. The jobs and assignments that were often left for me to do, even though they were not primarily done, were left undone, and occasionally, I bluntly stated I was not going to do that even when I was literally not doing anything at that moment. Saying no was strange to my fellows at work, but I remained resolute in fulfilling primary assignments while turning down additional work, especially those that belonged to others. My colleague kept ranting about how much I was changed, especially because he was not enjoying the freedom of being excused from his work, which usually got executed by me.
Thus, one great lesson I imbibed in 2024 was to evaluate, identify, and sieve tasks that I am faced with. This reduced, to a very large extent, the burden of being a superhero. There was little I could do with family primarily because of my kind nature and I would naturally go all out for my parents. But, I learned to pass the ball when I needed to. I remember passing an insurance bill to my other siblings when I was not financially buoyant. I could have taken a loan or strained my finances, but my mother was the mother to my other four siblings, and thus, I had to speak up when I felt overwhelmed. The finance was resolved in less than an hour.
Another lesson? Yeah, people would assume you're comfortable with what may be inconvenient to you when you keep mute. Of course, I was not running from responsibility, but I knew when I was burning out and called for help. There is a popular saying in the medical profession, "A good doctor knows his limit."
My friends had an equal share. It was not intentional to cut the majority off or paint a bad image. I realized many are truly called and only a few are chosen. My true friends have stuck through the thick and thin with me. Strangely but understandably, a few friends retracted when they knew I was not very beneficial to them, which partly was because of my New Year resolution and the extent I could only go as a result of my health. The feelings of entitlement from friends soon got into check when I began to say no without remorse. I was not being rude, but I was not hiding the fact that I wouldn't go the extra mile, inconveniencing myself to be a solution to another. Like I have heard before, 'problems will exist even when I cease to exist.' People most often exploit kind people.
I graduated sometime in 2017 and haven't had any tangible additional academic qualifications. I am glad to say that I began my master's program in public health sometime in July 2024 and, in another feat, though excitedly, participated in a six-week intensive training course on the effects of climate change in Africa, which earned me a certificate of participation with amiable partners. I intend to apply for a one-year student course for the 2025 academic session coming up in the second quarter of the year in addition to the master's program I hope to tidy up in a few months.
After several years, I feel a sense of personal development and achievement, mostly because I had to do away with the excess baggage in my life.
I didn't have it all rosy despite staying off the radar. Some problems would not just let go even when you stay minimalist. My nephew was brought from the village where he had an accident a year ago and had a traditional bone setting (TBS) intervention, which only further complicated his fractured right distal third femur, which had become osteoporosis and infected. He has had two surgical interventions since early November which has gulped resources beyond a thousand dollars and also, time. The language barrier was a challenge, so my sister and I had to be present every now and then to interact with the managing team. Thankfully, I am a doctor, which eased some affairs; however, the damage was done, and two organisms were isolated where the common antibiotics were resistant. The current dilemma is that only one drug, "tigecycline," which costs about $35 per ampoule, and he would need about eight of it. The family is already exhausted, but I'm pained, particularly because the complications could have been much avoided only if Orthodox medicine was sought first.
In all, maturity and experience have made me appreciate the little things of life, such as time and priority for oneself, propelling me to achieve more for myself. This year, 2025, living modestly and minimally would help me shut out the loud noise of avoidable stressors.
IMAGES USED ARE MINE
See you around
