I flew into Nashville yesterday morning for a girls weekend to celebrate my dear friend Whitney’s 30th birthday! My other friend Jena (who is now friends with Whitney through me – love when my friends become friends!) moved from New York to Nashville in June so I flew in a day early to spend time with her before we drive to Chattanooga tomorrow to meet with everyone for the weekend. Whitney now lives in Birmingham but use to live in Nashville so Chattanooga is a halfway between the two, so we’re renting an AirBnb and having a relaxing weekend. I’m excited to celebrate Whit!
Another close friend of mine, Kelli, is coming in from Charlottesville as well. Ahhhhh, I’m so ready to spend the weekend with three friends who were in my wedding and who I don’t get to see as often in person anymore. When will teleporting exist? I would like that to be the focus before another iPhone comes out. Brit (on the left) we miss you a lot too 🙂
I’m not quite sure exactly what is planned for the weekend except good food, lots of rest, relaxation, some wine + lots of chatter. Should be GREAT.
Jena and I spent yesterday at a coffee shop, Frothy Monkey, in downtown Franklin (technically she lives in Franklin which as I’m learning isn’t Nashville, but right outside of Nashville) working. Lunch was the Royale sandwich and a chai latte. I’ve been to Frothy Monkey before and their sandwiches never disappoint.
Dinner started at JJ’s Wine Bar where we tasted wines…
and shared spinach artichoke dip + a plate of olives
And then we drove down the road to Sopapillas for Mexican food. Spicy margaritas + a fajita salad and a few tortilla chips. Between chips at lunch and the spinach artichoke dip, tortilla chips weren’t doing it for me anymore. But the salad was great!
I feel really happy and thankful to be here this weekend. I wrote in this post at the end of 2017 how the past several months had actually been lonelier than I anticipated as many of my close friends had moved away from New York and adjusting to married life had been good and rich in many ways, but different than I expected. As we settle into Boston, I know that eventually I will develop close relationships again with new girlfriends, but that will just take some time. But in the midst of that, it’s really nice to be able to spend several days with your closest people.
A few other random thoughts on life lately…
We are loving our apartment in Boston so much. We’re still settling in and putting things on the walls etc, but it’s feeling more and more like home. I’m still getting use to the random noises of the brownstone since our old apartment building in New York was a big complex and had cement walls so you could hear a pin drop at night. There’s random tapping, water noises etc that at first I was like, “ahhhh, I’m not use to this.” but now I actually don’t mind at all because it gives the apt some character. I’m a deep sleeper, but to fall asleep I like it to be dead silent and pitch black. I’ve learned if I turn on white noise to a medium volume it drowns out pretty much everything.
I’ve started the Nurse Practitioner job hunt. I recently began this month because I’m not a forward thinker and didn’t realize how much of a logistical nightmare and marathon it would be to get a MA nursing license. I’m sure many of you nurses reading are like, “Hello Robyn! This stuff takes forever!” I know, I know I should have thought about this sooner. I thought it might take 4 weeks or so but not 10 weeks. There are so many steps to take and you have to do it in a very exact way so if you miss one step it can back track you a couple weeks. I’m not amazing at following directions (details…details) and it’s probably just me overlooking the fine print but I find directions for these types of legal things so hard to follow! I feel like there should be way more information about the step by step process than there actually is. I need clarity! And you have to first get your RN license and then go through another 3-4 week process for your NP license. My expectations are probably unreasonable. Oy. All that to say, I started this process mid December and it’s taking a long time.
I had two totally different jobs as a Nurse Practitioner. First in a high acuity urgent care that functioned like a fast track ER and one in primary care where I focused on eating disorders and women’s health. Opposite ends of the spectrum. I really enjoy the faster pace, hands on, more “chaotic” environment of my first job. I like doing procedures and reading x-rays and seeing higher acuity patients. But I also really enjoy the focus on women’s health and eating disorders and cultivating patient relationships I had in my second job. I’m trying to not get discouraged and frustrated with myself as I figure out what I want to do long term as an NP. I know I definitely always want to be in the clinical setting and not be doing Nutshell Nutrition and this blog full time. I’m really thankful that I can do it full time but I don’t think it’s the best fit to always do full time – I need structure and co-workers. Plus, I do always want to keep up my hands-on clinical skills. I guess what I’m trying to say is that even though I’m 6 years into the “real world” I feel like even after a year of practicing as an NP, I’m starting all over again figuring out what I want to do as an NP and what job/environment fits best.
I have to remind myself daily that I’m doing enough right now. Enough working. Enough socializing. Enough of everything. My mind can get feisty and tell me, “Make friends faster!” “Be more productive!” “You should be more disciplined!” and I have to actively work to counter act those thoughts. “Gentleness.” “Chasing shoulds doesn’t feed your soul.” “You’re okay right where you are.” I have struggles too. And often when I’m helping clients work through challenges, I’m absorbing that reframing and positivity because I need it too.
Nutshell Nutrition will be going through a rebrand process soon which I’m SO READY FOR. Long term, I want it to be more than nutrition counseling for women so the rebrand will allow for that expansion. I’m also looking to hire a counselor/therapist who has experience in eating disorders/IE/HAES to see clients. I think it would be awesome to have an “in house” therapist to add to a client’s team and would make care more cohesive. So look out for that announcement in the future if you’re interested!
I’ve been cooking a lot more this year (I’ve waxed poetic about my love for the Instant Pot) but just in general I’m relearning how cooking for pleasure and to simply feed myself is really good self care for me. I go through chaotic, busy seasons or transitions in life and I forget about self care. It’s like the information is there, I just don’t know how to retrieve it. So that’s what I’m trying to do lately….retrieve the self care info and also be open to discovering new things. Lately in addition to cooking, I’ve been foam rolling my IT bands to keep my knees pain free instead of neglecting them and trying to do a 15 minute restorative stretching yoga a few times a week. –> goal is to do this everyday because I usually tell myself I don’t have time, but this is SO GOOD AT NORMALIZING STRESS LEVELS FOR ME.
Thanks for listening to my external processing – I want to hear from you too. Share in the comments anything on your mind!!
Have a restful weekend 🙂
Hope you have a lovely weekend Robyn! I visited Chattanooga recently and would HIGHLY recommend the Flying Squirrel for dinner/cocktails or brunch, or both 🙂
We went to Chattanooga 2 years ago at Christmas. I’m not sure where you’ll be exactly, but our Airbnb hosts recommended the restaurant TacoMamcita and it was delish. I hope you have fun. It’s a very relaxing place. We also explored Lookout Mountain and took an underground cave tour (a little creepy at first, but really beautiful).
Sorry. We went to Rock City and Ruby Falls.
We went to lookout MTN!
1. I love the wine dispenser thing – am I so behind the times that I’ve never seen that before?? So cool!
2. I love your openness and honesty on your transition and your career goals. I moved to Boston about two and a half years ago now, and I (very naively) thought that I’d settle right in and immediately find my place. That’s very very rarely true that it’s that easy! Any big life change is such a spectrum of feeling great and feeling not so great – and that’s ok. It’s tough for me to love/accept the uncertainty, but I think that’s where a lot of the growth takes place. Kudos to you for settling in and figuring out what you truly want from your career and taking those steps forward!
I had never seen it before either!
It’s comforting to know you’ve been in the same boat …its all a learning process and if we can press into it instead of resist I think a lot of good can come of that 🙂
Loving your life updates. Have so much fun in Nashville – My brother lives there and periodically plays shows with his band around town! It sounds like you’re in good hands, have fun!
I resonate with a lot of what you’re saying. I’m still in school but I’m transitioning from a very stressful, insane semester to one that’s a lot more manageable. It feels weird not being so insanely busy, and almost like I need to feel that nagging stress. But, I know that I don’t. It’s hard to welcome in the different seasons of life and figure things out along the way and trust that God is holding us through all of it. I hope you have a fun weekend in Tennessee with all your ladies, and thank you as always for being a beacon of light and love!
I live in Nashville but just visited Chattanooga last weekend! Clumpies is pretty good ice cream, so I would recommend that! I had an amazing Sunday brunch at Clyde’s on Main, but their regular menu looked pretty tasty as well. Chatt is a cute city, and I hope you enjoy it! I can relate to your paragraph about finding your way in the NP world, except I’m in the speech path world. I’m a grad student winding down to graduation this summer, and I’m nervous to start finding the right fit, but I know it will happen!
We didn’t make it to Clumpies but maybe next time! Man, I so feel you on finding your way in the healthcare world, know you will find your fit in time 🙂
I was born and raised in Chattanooga! Haven’t lived there in over 12 years and it’s changed a lot since I moved away, but a few downtown places I highly recommend are Milk & Honey (coffee, breakfast, gelato), Taco Mamacita (Mexican + next door to Milk & Honey), and Clumpies (ice cream). Enjoy your trip!
W went to milk and honey! So good.
I love reading your life updates! I also have a lot of respect for you that you wear so many hats. It must sometimes feel like you are in a lot of places at once and reminding yourself that you are doing ENOUGH is so important. P.S. I’m SO interested in your Therapist position!!
Ah… my husband grew up in Franklin and that’s where my in-laws live. I love visiting. Frothy Monkey and JJ”s are two of my favorites! My sister-in-law lives in Chattanooga. It is such a pretty area with great hiking all around. I hope you enjoy your time in Tennessee… Your post made me miss it!
Two amazing places where you have family!!
Yes, big life and career transitions aren’t always rainbows and unicorns. It’s easy to idealize the fresh start but sometimes it’s just really frustrating. I moved from a city to a small mountain town almost 4 years ago and I still feel unsettled and lonely sometimes. Like you said, accept that what you’re doing is enough and things will fall into place eventually.
totally can relate to what you said Grace <3
I just visited Chattanooga this past week and loved it! Highly recommend Main Street Meats if you’re in the mood for a good steak, Niedlov’s for amazing bread and pastries, and Velo Coffee. Fall Creek Falls is a great state park about an hour north of town; Cloudland Canyon State Park is only thirty minutes away and just as pretty. Tons of great hiking in the city, too! Hope you have a great time! Also, definitely check out the aquarium!
Well I have a great list of things to do when I return! 🙂
Sorry you’re going through all that red tape with licensing! I’m afraid to move for that exact reason! I do have a question. I am a licensed mental health counselor (LPCMH) in Delaware (no HEAS/IE experience or training) that recently started an online practice. Many of the guidelines (loose term because the laws are vague) recommend seeing only clients in the state which you are licensed. How would that work as a therapist with nutshell nutrition? Are the guidelines similar for RD’s or do you see clients nation/worldwide? I’d love to hear more!
Email me on this!! It’s different for different states and more importantly, the way you language your services is key as well.
Yay loved the update! Ps. Frothy Monkey is where it’s at. I went there during my last Nashville trip per your previous blog post!
it’s so good always!
You are going n my neck of the woods! I live in Franklin 💕 If you have time, eat at Gray’s or get a hundred later donut from Five Daughter’s Bakery in The Factory.
We will have to go to Five Daughter’s today!
I totally feel ya on the struggle with knowing where you want to end up as an NP. While I’m not an NP, I am an RN and struggle with this too. I’ve worked night shift in a busy pediatric ICU since I became a nurse almost 3 years ago and love it…love the pace, love seeing my kiddos go from being so incredibly sick to walking out of the hospital, love the high intensity situations. But sometimes I desire a more “normal life” and miss the work I did in a clinic setting as a CNA, where I got to develop relationships with patients and also didn’t feel the pressure of holding children’s lives in my hands! I wonder sometimes how long will be healthy for me to work in the ICU setting so I really struggle with forward thinking with my career. All that to say, I’m so glad I’m not alone!!! Also, I love the yoga bit . I’ve recently gone to more restorative classes and oh my goodness! I also am obsessed with Yoga with Adriene on you tube. She has a great self care message-if you haven’t tried her videos, you have to check her out! There’s even a yoga for nurses video 😀
There are always pros and cons I think so thank you for reminding me of that Elizabeth! I’ll have to check Adriene out for sure!
Being gentle with yourself is SO key esp. in a season of transition. When things are in flux, it’s far too easy to start being hyper-critical and blaming yourself for why things aren’t perfectly in place. The truth is, things aren’t supposed to always be in place, everything is always shifting. What helps me is to remember that it is always shifting toward something even better and that instead of wishing for the past, I should be looking forward to the future and enjoying the present.
great thoughts Nicole – thank you!
A girls’ weekend sounds so fun and restorative! From all your posts about spending time with friends, it seems like you have a lot of amazing, genuine relationships in your life. I definitely aspire to have the same!
xxMeah
I wish the same for you! Definitely something I do not take for granted. Hope you had a great weekend Meah!
Love reading you process through the things that you’re facing right now; I’m glad that you’re allowing gentleness and not feeling like you HAVE to go onto the next stage. Cooking is such a restorative peaceful blessing for me too; I love how it’s helping you do some self care. I’m thankful for how you are peaceful in the midst of it; that’s definitely God’s peace that passes all understanding.
thanks for sharing your life happenings! My sister is a nurse and has been for several years, and she finally found a position she loves! It wasn’t easy. I finally took the MCAT yesterday, so that was a hugeeeee load off my shoulders!
congrats on the MCAT!!!
Robyn-
Good that you’re stopping to think about the good in your situation. God will open a door for you and He gives you that feeling of contentment. His love and guidance is so perfect. I love the hymn “He Leadeth Me”…it reminds me to just let Him guide me through this crazy life. I’ll be praying for you…thanks for the post!!
Thanks Becky <3
Oh my gosh, yes! My mind is so feisty right now. I’m about to graduate with a Master’s in Biology and I have no idea what I’m going to do. I feel like I should have something lined up after graduation, but life isn’t always that smooth. The job hunt is daunting. Thank you for the reminder that doing “enough right now” is ENOUGH.
Life isn’t that smooth but don’t we wish it were?? You are doing ENOUGH <3
Looks like SUCH a fun weekend!! Nashville is so fun too 🙂 And oh man…about your license. It took SIX MONTHS to get mine in Maryland (by endorsement, not examination so I feel like that process should be much easier?!)-so it totally depends on the board of nursing. Delaware was awesome. And NP probably more complicated than RN because the rights are different in each state! Can’t wait to see what avenue you go down as an NP. I’m in school now and love reading about yours!
also…that was not to discourage you when I said six months. It turned out my SS # was incorrect on my DE license and it delayed the entire process. But getting someone on the phone is a struggle!
not discouraging but unfortunately the nature! thanks for sharing and hopefully mine isn’t six months ha!
Hi Robyn- I was hoping you could do a post or at least comment on self disclosure as an RD . I am an RD who works with ED patients and I find the general recommendation is not to share much with clients. You clearly share a lot, which I think can be really helpful for clients but also has its downsides. Could you comment on that please?
Thanks so much! Your blog is great. I’ve recommended clients read it at times!
Hi Brigette! Thanks for your comment. I think you are referring to the blog …which is different than how I lead client sessions. What I write about on the blog isn’t what I converse with clients about in session if that makes sense. Sure, clients might read the blog, and I do share my life here. I’m not aware of anything that is a conflict of interest or unethical. Of course I’m always learning! Hope that makes sense.
I so admire your vulnerability to reflect openly about your next career move – and vision for your longer term path. I’m going through a career transition myself and as I’m considering several different routes, have found that it can be hard to talk about. Takes a lot of courage to put your whole self out there like that so I love the self-confidence that you have to share your thoughts, considerations, and doubts so publicly. Can’t wait to see what you manifest next!
I think it can be really hard because you’re expected to “have it together” but what I’m learning is that isn’t okay to not. That doesn’t make me a lesser NP. It can be scary, but if it makes one person feel less alone it’s worth it! Thanks for reading and your kind words Valerie <3
Amazing blog, i really like the content here. Highly recommended.
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I absolutely LOVE your apartment! It looks so cute and cozy. I hope you both continue to enjoy Boston!