Day 17: Things That Keep Me Sane as a Med Student (Barely)

So... after days of ranting (which I will continue soon), today I want to pause and give credit to the random, ridiculous, and slightly unhinged things that keep me somewhat sane in this chaotic journey called med school.

1. My 5 Alarms Spaced 5 Minutes Apart

Not because I’ll wake up on the first one — but because I like knowing that my alarm (a.k.a. me) gave me five more minutes to rot in peace.

2. Coffee

It’s no longer a drink. It’s a lifeline. More important than oxygen. I’m a med student — I know what I’m talking about.

3. That One Playlist I’ve Been Listening to Since 2020

It has everything: motivation, heartbreak, study beats, and the occasional existential crisis bop. It knows me better than I know myself.

4. Food

Self-explanatory. If you don’t get it, you’re in the wrong place.

5. Podcasts (Special Thanks to Stephanie Soo)

Girl, I owe you my life. True crime and mukbangs? Therapy.

6. Romanticizing My Walk to Class Like I’m in a Coming-of-Age Movie

Until a stray dog starts chasing me and suddenly… it’s a horror film.

7. Saying “It’s Fine” When It’s Clearly Not

Bonus points if I say it with a laugh and completely dead eyes.

8. Post-Its

Half say “study,” the other half are passive-aggressive to-do lists I will never complete.

9. White Coat Pockets

They hold pens, crumpled notes, snack wrappers, and my will to survive.

10. Internet Rabbit Holes

“I’ll just watch one video on mitosis.”

3 hours later: “Did you know the Illuminati is real?”

11. Crying in Aesthetic Lighting

Okay fine — I’m broke and the lighting isn’t aesthetic. But the pain? Still elite.

12. Friends Who Reply “OK” to My Rants Instead of Judging

You’re the real ones. Let’s fail forward together.

13. Convincing Myself I’ll Change My Life Every Sunday Night

The ✨delusion✨ is comforting. I like her. She dreams big.

14. Pretending My Skincare Routine Is a Spiritual Ritual

Washing away dead skin cells and emotional baggage.

15. The Idea That “Future Me” Will Handle It

Spoiler: She’s not okay.

16. This Blog

Because oversharing with strangers on the internet is cheaper than therapy.

17. Internet Group Chats

Some of the sweetest souls I've met. They may not know my whole story, but they make my day a little lighter.

18. Books

Surprisingly low on the list because after being traumatized by medical textbooks, even a soft, diabetes-inducing romance feels intimidating.

19. K-Dramas

No explanation needed. Just serotonin.

Some people do yoga. Some meditate. I choose chaos, coffee, and coping memes.

What keeps you sane? (If it’s just “8 hours of sleep,” we can’t be friends.)