
Joy in Family Medicine – Stories & Reflections
Lessons, lightbulb moments, and honest reflections from life inside and outside medicine - served with a side of perspective.
Tags: self-compassion
Showing 6 results:
All That Jazz Story and Reflection
I'm going to give away one of the truths that throws people off when I play two truths and a lie. I learned to tap dance and even performed on stage after I was a practicing physician. I know, I know - hard to picture. 😉
My daughter was taking violin lessons in a studio that had just started offe...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 12, 2025
all-or-nothing
awkwardness
challenge
control
creativity
discomfort
encouragement
expectations
feedback
fun
growth mindset
inspiration
learning
letting go
mastery
mindset
motivation
patience
perfectionism
performance
perseverance
personal growth
practice
reflection
reframe
resilience
role modeling
self-awareness
self-compassion
vulnerability
Ziplining Snafu: Story and Reflection
When we explored Alaska with our 13-year-old before our move from Florida 17 years ago, we made sure to make it adventurous for her.
We signed up for zip-lining in Ketchikan among the tall Western Hemlocks. I've never been a fan of heights (understatement of the year!), but I was determined. We r...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 10, 2025
action
adventure
agency
behavior
choice
courage
detachment
embarassment
emotion
fear
growth
identity
internalization
labeling
mindset
naming
narrative
perception
personal growth
perspective
reframing
resilience
self-awareness
self-compassion
self-definition
self-talk
shame
transformation
validation
vulnerability
The Youngest Flower Girl: Story and Reflection
I'm not sure every parent of a flower girl fears how the ceremony will go, but my husband and I sure did years ago. You see, our oldest was invited to be the flower girl for 2 of our med school classmates when she was barely three years old. We had many voices of experience say she's too young. A...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 10, 2025
balance
big picture
celebration
ceremony
detail-orientation
embarrassment
feedback
focus
humanity
humor
hyperfocus
joy
learning
memory
mindfulness
mistake
negativity bias
overfocus
parenting
perfectionism
perspective
presence
reflection
regulation
self-awareness
self-compassion
social cues
storytelling
worry
zooming-out
Running Up Mountains Story and Reflection
Have you ever been isolated during a race? Me neither, until I was. I participated in a small fundraiser weeknight race after work in late May several years back. It was my first (and last) mountain race.
It was a race up "Peak 3" in the Alaska Chugach Range, with the finish line at the top, smal...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 10, 2025
accomplishment
comparison
compassion
disappointment
disorientation
empathy
exhaustion
expectations
experience
fear
fear response
frustration
growth
humility
identity
isolation
journey
mentorship
metaphor
mindset
normalization
overwhelm
parallel
perseverance
reflection
resilience
self-compassion
transition
uncertainty
vulnerability
"The Plank" Story and Reflection
Most Sunday mornings during the pandemic, I logged on to a zoom call to do strength training with a group of women physicians led by Dr. Ali Novitsky (photo above) or her team of coaches.
She combined mindset work with bodywork. On particular workout stands out to me. She told us we were finishin...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 10, 2025
adaptability
all-or-nothing
binary thinking
bodywork
capacity
challenge
choice
coaching
discipline
discomfort
effort
endurance
flexibility
growth
incremental progress
learning
mental flexibility
mindset
mindset shift
motivation
perseverance
persistence
physicality
reflection
reframing
resilience
self-awareness
self-compassion
strength training
surprise
Growth Reflection
Here's an exercise that I hope you find useful.
Think of either past examples that you would define as your best self. Or think of the self you'd like to aspire to be.
Now, which of your strengths are you exhibiting? What happens internally for you? How does it impact your relationships? What's o...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 03, 2025
abundance
alignment
aspiration
authenticity
awareness
development
empowerment
growth
improvement
intention
mindfulness
motivation
positivity
practice
reflection
relationships
self-compassion
self-talk
strengths
wellbeing
Joy in Family Medicine – Stories & Reflections
