how it all began

Permitted To Pause...that's what I finally entitled myself to do after 18 years in the profession and a serious health blip, occurring less than half way through my working life after qualifying as a doctor.  I had longed for a career break since my remission in 2007, but still couldn't justify my time off work..until it  arose by the circumstance of my husband getting a job in Canada for a year in 2017, and with the full support of my wonderful team, off we went.  I've been back since December 2017, after the most transformative time, which became  the catalyst for realising that the opportunity to do this, to recharge and reflect, is something very few of us get the chance of.  Whilst we can't all just saunter off on extended breaks, I have continued to look at ways to make work and life balance, as there's very little of that in doctors' busy lives, dedicated to our patients, our teams and our profession, whilst also hankering for the balance to be able to give the same energy to our loved ones, and to ourselves and our own physical and mental health.   

So in the interests of a better you, and all those whom you nourish, have a little time to also nourish yourself, and pause to think, to breathe, and to recharge, every day, because you are allowed to....

So here is the initiation of this platform, aiming to encourage small positive changes, in ways you may not have considered, and for us to share all our positive experiences whilst doing so.  With regular updates, we'll bring you ideas, courses, links, and posts to make each day a little easier.  Visit @Permitted2Pause, #PermittedToPause  and keep an eye on the website blog, for regular insights into how I'll be trying to have a taste of my own (positive!) medicine..!
So welcome! You are Permitted To PauseII...and here's how it all began...

​http://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2018/03/16/samantha-anthony-career-breaks-should-be-supported-not-feared/