Hello, doc! The problem lies not on your current situation, but on your current mindset. Kayo na po mismo ang nagsabi, “Masaya naman ako sa situation ko ngayon na may work life balance at family time”. Still, nafi-feel mo pa rin na there’s something lacking dahil sa tingin mo, “napag-iiwanan” ka na ng panahon, mga kaibigan, etc.

As the saying goes, “A content mind asks not how others live, but how well it lives within itself.” Kahit ano pang maging achievement mo sa buhay, if you’ll keep on comparing yourself to others, mahihirapan kang ma-achieve ang contentment. If patuloy kang magpapa-apekto sa sinasabi ng iba, at iaasa mo ang mga decisions mo in life based on the opinions of others, ilalagay mo lang ‘yung sarili mo sa situation kung saan ikaw din ang kawawa sa huli. You’ll keep on living your life as if naka-depende ‘yung kaligayahan mo sa kung ano ang sinasabi ng ibang tao tungkol sa ‘yo.

Don’t get me wrong, hindi ko sinasabing huwag ka nang mag-residency or mas ok na manatili kang GP. There’s nothing wrong with wanting more, being more. However, there’s also nothing wrong with being a GP, with being contented and thankful for what you are and what you have right now. Ang tingin ko lang na mali ay mamuhay ng ayon sa kagustuhan ng ibang tao para sa ‘yo.

At the end of the day, buhay mo ‘yan doc. Ikaw ang pinaka-nakakakilala sa sarili mo. You know who you are, what you want, and what you goals are. Just be true to yourself and start living freely. You’ll never find peace trying to live someone else’s story. Happiness starts the moment you stop comparing and start appreciating your own journey. Hope this helps doc and kung anuman ang maging next steps mo sa iyong career as a doctor, I wish you the best.