G-RUN-PY Amy

It’s OK to be GRUNPY, but it’s not a good look!

Today I am g-run-py. You got that right, g-run-py, not grumpy. Let me define. G-run-py is how a runner feels on a rest day, injured, or any other day where the world conspires to stop them from running.

Almost all my patients ask me, "How are you?" when they enter the clinic doors. 90% of the time, I can honestly say I'm doing great. Because no matter what is going on in my life outside of work, I am so incredibly grateful that I get to do what I love to do every day. It makes it easy to leave the distractions, sadness, concerns, and worries of everyday life at home. But something is missing right now..., and it's running.

Today, with my brows bunched up, my answer to my first patient's query was, "I am g-run-py!" She may have missed the subtle "n" in my pronunciation, especially behind a mask, but she got the gist of it... I am in a foul mood. I must qualify here that I would never say this to a new patient or one I didn't know exceptionally well.

Because I cannot run, it is hard to maintain a bright outlook. I have met my positivity threshold with this two-year too-long Pandemic, gloomy weather, my unfinished kitchen remodel, and my injured foot. You've heard of seasonal affective disorder, but did you know there is remodel depression? It's true. And did I mention I can't run?

Aside from the Pandemic, these problems are insignificant; they are minor inconveniences. One might argue that I am incredibly fortunate to remodel my kitchen. And, I agree! The trouble is that my perspective is muddled. Running is my gateway to mental well-being. It raises my ability to shed a favorable light on the negative and see the glass as half full.

Upon hearing I was g-run-py, my patient's eyes grew wide with dramatic fear, and she exclaimed, "We better not be needling today!" Well, that was the perfect thing to say. Her humor renewed my withering spirit for the rest of the day. Not to mention, helping others feel better makes me feel good. In a way, I guess my profession lends itself to healing my patients and myself. Whoa! That's a pleasant realization.

Until I can run again, there will be more g-run-py days ahead. And it's OK to be g-run-py. But treating patients, snuggling my puppy, walking with friends, leisurely swimming, drawing, creative writing, and humor, lots and lots of humor, will help me through them.