“Today is not your day!” Choosing a good attitude in the midst of a storm!

I really want people to understand something about me and what I do. I am a nurse. If you’ve been following me, you obviously know this. I love smiling! I love maintaining a positive attitude! And I love people! What I want you to know is that this isn’t always easy for me. It doesn’t come naturally for me to respond with patience. It doesn’t come natural to want to go out of my way to help my other nurses when I’m really drowning myself. It doesn’t come easy for me to say “sure, I’ll watch your 5 patients while you go eat, even though I’m drowning in my own care team hole and starving myself.” Nope! Those things don’t come easy. We’re human. And naturally, we are selfish. But here’s the thing. I realized 3 years ago when I started in this profession that there were A LOT of people who CHOSE to have a bad attitude. Who CHOSE to not be a team player. And who CHOSE to constantly carry negativity around with them. Yes. That’s right. Your attitude is a choice. DID YOU HEAR ME? Your attitude is a choice.

Choosing a Good Attitude isn’t Always Easy

I realized something today. I floated to one of my favorite floors where I have a lot of friends that I’m close with. They easily identified that “today is not Kelsey’s day!” I have a really great team of patients, just a lot of personal things outside of work going on. Those things are hard to always leave at home. And with someone who battles anxiety and depression, it makes it harder! These co-workers don’t know I’m sharing this with the world right now, but they are freaking amazing! They have had my back all morning with a discharge, assisting MY patients, and making sure I’ve had all the coffee I need (they know me so well :)). I’m sure helping me isn’t the most convenient thing for them, as we are always busy as nurses, but they have had my back all morning. Because they saw my spirit. They saw the hurt and struggle in my head and in my heart. And they know this is rare for me! I am typically the one lending a hand and reaching out. The one making funnies at work and cracking people up. The one lifting spirits and making sure everyone is okay….but not today. For this reason, these people had my back without me even having to say a word! I felt so loved, supported, and thankful that I wasn’t just left to drown. Choosing to have a good attitude isn’t always an easy choice. But the more you do it, the easier it becomes. And those “once burdening requests” from others become easier to do, because choosing a good attitude does something to your heart. Something good. Something beautiful. It makes you a better person, and ultimately a better nurse.

Strength to Push Through

Today is not an easy day. Relationships are work. And money sucks. But when I am able to come to work with a heavy heart, and have people there for me to have my back and make it a little lighter….it gives me strength to push through my day. Strength to put on my poker face and love on my patients. Strength to be the best nurse that I can be! A positive attitude will never do you wrong.

Your heart is mine,

Kelsey

Instagram: yourheartisminern