• DVM360_Conference_Charlotte,NC_banner
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Conference Coverage
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Politics
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Digital Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Pharmacy
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Hospital Design
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Conference Listing
Conference Proceedings
Resources
CBD in Pets
CE Requirements by State
Contests
Veterinary Heroes
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

The myth of self-care

February 1, 2019
Dani McVety, DVM

When I found myself in a discouraging work environment, I didnt turn to self-care for solutions, instead I decided to start giving to others.

At my undergrad restaurant job, I was so discouraged by the negative attitudes of my coworkers that I decided to write notes of encouragement to each of them. (taa22/stock.adobe.com)

The idea of self-care has been on my mind for quite some time. Conversations about happiness and satisfaction have permeated our profession in the past few years, no doubt in a good-hearted effort to curb the extremely unfortunate number of dissatisfied veterinarians.

I don't know about you, but to me, it feels like we've missed the mark when it comes to actually doing something about it. I mean, really doing something about it. There are articles, lectures and webinars about how to control your emotions, how to set boundaries and how to not care about what others think about you. Those are all wonderful and useful tools, but there is something huge missing from this idea of self-care, and it has nothing to do with massages or pedicures. It's all about giving.

When I was an undergrad, I worked for over a year at a restaurant. If you've ever worked in the service industry, you know that although many workers put on a happy face for the customers, they aren't always happy behind closed doors. They live paycheck to paycheck or, more appropriately, tips to tips.

Advertisement

One day, I was so discouraged by the level of negativity that instead of complaining, I decided to do something about it. Over the course of a week, and without anyone knowing (they still don't know it was me), I anonymously wrote personalized cards to everyone in the restaurant. I would place the cards in random places and glowed inside as I watched my co-workers pick them up. I had written very simply words of gratitude for their smiles, the way they treated customers and encouragement to keep going.

It wasn't hard to do, but the results were astounding. Attitudes shifted, everyone seemed so much more willing to help each other and there was an excitement that seemed palpable. I loved going to work during those weeks, anticipating my co-workers finding their cards and beaming with pride. And, yes, I made sure to give one to myself so no one would think it was me.

The lesson I learned at that restaurant was that giving to others, regardless of how much you have or don't have, is the only way to truly be happy. Study after study shows that money, fame and even professional success are almost completely uncorrelated to happiness. What is? Giving back. Whether it's a veterinary bill we take care of with our Angel Fund, a pet slated for euthanasia that we rehome or giving our employees their birthday off from work, those things have always brought me more joy than any financial check I'll ever receive.

So, I urge you: If you're feeling the need for self-care, fulfillment or happiness in general, consider giving. Give anything. Give your time to a pre-veterinary student wanting some extra advice. Give some focused time to your spouse. Give uninterrupted moments to your kids. Give old clothes to your local Salvation Army or a $10 Subway gift certificate to a homeless person. Just give, and I promise your heart will be filled.

Related Content:

Technicians
Veterinary tech students awarded national scholarship
Veterinary tech students awarded national scholarship
AAHA seeks applicants for its board, including for a newly created veterinary technician role
AAHA seeks applicants for its board, including for a newly created veterinary technician role
A technician’s true value
A technician’s true value

Advertisement

Latest News

Xylazine moves from the stables to the streets

DEA reports widespread threat of fentanyl mixed with xylazine

3 Must-reads for National Poison Prevention Week

UC Davis study on eye diseases in kittens

View More Latest News
Advertisement