An upfront disclaimer: You don’t have to get through graduate school. Living with chronic illnesses often complicates everything. There are many ways to add value to this world and make meaningful contributions. For some, grad school helps with that path but for many others, it is often a hindrance. …

I never felt like an imposter until I heard of imposter syndrome. Sure, I’ve felt a little out of place or downright uncomfortable in certain settings, even in those where I supposedly “belonged”. But, imposter is a strong word. im·pos·tor noun: a person who pretends to be someone else in…

Like many around the world, I have been struggling with both my physical and mental health. In early March, shortly before Canada and many other countries seriously implemented social distancing measures against COVID-19, I lost consciousness twice while I was at home alone. The impact of falling and hitting my…

Receiving a thyroid cancer diagnosis can be a life-changing moment and it will take some adjusting to. In addition to navigating all the new information and potential life changes, there may be a range of emotions. I cannot emphasize enough how important my caregivers and support network were to me…

Recently “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” on Netflix has been my go-to show. I’ve been talking about it with whoever will listen to me. I love that the series follows people at different stages in their life — the downsizers, the newlyweds, the empty-nesters, after a loss. …

If you have to prioritize one goal this new year, it should be to slow down. At first, this seems counterintuitive and counterproductive to achieving many typical new year’s goals — whether it be losing weight, getting fitter, reading more, growing a business, publishing a book or saving more money. …

As we close up International Thyroid Awareness week, it seems a good a time as any to consider just what living with a thyroid issue looks like, especially when you’re a high-functioning, overachieving dreamer and doer. Learning to live without a thyroid was a little bit like learning how to…

I’m back from a refreshing solo vacation where I swam in the ocean, read on the beach and meditated under palm trees. It was exactly what I needed, but it almost didn’t happen. — After a severe concussion in 2013, I became dependent on the people around me. I couldn’t bear any stimuli and was holed up at home with the curtains drawn and noise-cancelling headphones on. I had also started medication for depression. …