A letter from Feb 26, 2026

Hey badass ICU NURSE!!! I am so **** proud of you! You've put in seven grueling weeks of big time learning AND started your first night shifts! That is huge and hard and you are a mutha ***** champ. This is all cumulative. You have put in so much good hard work through prereqs and nursing school and your whole god**** life that helped you get to this point. You have amazing people around you who love you and are cheering you on and would love it if you turned to them for help. This is supposed to be hard, because it matters and you're a novice. That's all normal and good. You keep trukin' along, my lil metronome, and there will come a day when you feel like a competent nurse. Here are the things you learned on your sabbatical that nourish your soul and recharge your spirit: - Sleep. No vertical videos, just go to bed. - Classes at the Y! You love yoga with Paige and HIIT with Brandon and injury prevention with hot Taylor and smashing the pedals in spin and expanding your mind-body connection in the pool! Also **** that sauna's nice. - Run club! Wednesday or Thursday, it makes you feel so alive and like the happy little guy you are. - Knitting while listening to music. This is where you can strive for perfection. - Community Craft Night at Talent Maker City. It's your literal happy safe place of an art studio for your sweet child self. - Tarot and journaling help you check in with your mind, relationships, behavior, and spirit. Plus a meditation + nap delight :) - You're like, really hot. Look people in the eye, smile, and own it, Babe. I'm so excited for all the learning and people ahead! ACLS is next week and that's something you've wanted for a long time and you MADE IT HAPPEN. So legit. Keep pouring love into your amazing self, annie