We’re back today with the final installment of our January wellness series! It seems like you guys have really been enjoying it, which makes me so happy, because the whole idea behind this series is that I wanted it to uplift and inspire you (and possibly give you a few new ideas, too!), so I hope it’s done just that. Today it’s all about Mai Anh Nguyen, M.D., who is a Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist. Fun fact: Dr. Nguyen is my therapist (as you may have seen on the blog here)! She’s the best and I certainly don’t know what I’d do without her! So, keep on reading for what inspires Dr. Nguyen, her thoughts on resolutions, social media, and much more.
from prosecco to plaid: When did you decide you wanted to become a Psychiatrist and what inspired you to want to be one?
Mai Anh Nguyen, M.D.: In college, I majored in Psychology and almost majored in Philosophy (I didn’t want to take Logic to finish it off :). In medical school, I really enjoyed Pediatrics and Psychiatry. So for my residency, I trained in Pediatrics, General Psychiatry and Child Psychiatry. I wanted the training to enable me to think of people from a medical and psychological point of view – which is a more ‘wholistic’ approach. And the breadth of training enabled me to work with a wide range of people through most of their lifespan and with entire families.
I’ve always been interested in people, the way they think, behave, and ARE. I believe that everyone is on a journey through life and that we all spend our lives learning and hopefully improving ourselves. Sometimes, that journey can be joyous and sometimes, it can be painful. I hope to be a support for some of these moments and to assist people as they are trying to figure out their situations and life tasks.
FPTP: What/who inspires you on a daily basis?
MANMD: The usual – family & friends. And the hope that humankind can be ‘better’ tomorrow than they are today.
FPTP: Do you have any New Years resolutions? If so, care to share a few?
MANMD: Every year – they are the same! To get more organized. To be more patient and tolerant. To make the most of every day and not waste time or energy on things that don’t matter.
FPTP: It can be difficult to stick to one’s resolutions. If someone has made resolutions or goals they’d like to achieve in the new year, what are some tips/tricks to REALLY stick to them?
MANMD: Be realistic and honest with yourself- because in the end, YOU are either helping yourself or hindering yourself.
Be patient and do things gradually. Our bodies and our minds adjust to change better if you do it gradually rather than abruptly or quickly – doing it this way will be much more likely to be successful AND more importantly, sustainable.
FPTP: In a society that is VERY social media heavy and the ‘comparison game’ is strong – how do you feel it can affect one’s confidence and what are your general thoughts on social media and comparison?
MANMD: Social media and the internet can be double-edged swords. On one hand, they can be an opportunity for a community where people can know/feel that they are not alone – a feeling of universality can be comforting and helpful with isolation. Support, ideas, and advice can be helpful. Just knowing that you are not alone in a situation can be comforting.
But the opposite can be true as well. People can get too focused on the opinions of others (even absolute strangers) and get obsessed with the amount of approval (likes, followers, subscribers) or disapproval (shamers, haters).
People need to be able to find a balance of what all this ‘feedback’ offers. Pay attention and explore what is meaningful and helpful to you, your life, and your growth. Ignore what is just drama, shock, or attention-seeking – it is a waste of your time & energy.
FPTP: What motto/quote do you try to live by?
MANMD: I heard a saying a few years ago that stuck with me, “It is better to be kind than to be right” – perhaps credited to Anne Lemott (according to the internet).
I might tweek that a bit to “There is a time to be right and there is a time to be kind – know the difference and act accordingly”. Be kind. Do the right thing. Both important.
FPTP: How do you unwind and relax?
MANMD: Time with family and friends. Travel. Playing tennis. Reading a good fiction book. Watching mindless television.
FPTP: Where is your favorite place you’ve ever traveled and why?
MANMD: VietNam to visit my homeland. And many other countries with natural scenic beauty – the peacefulness they evoke really makes you feel ‘insignificant’ in a good way – there is more to life and the world than ‘ourselves’.
FPTP: If you weren’t a Psychiatrist what would you be?
MANMD: Realistically, a photographer. I really enjoy looking at things from different angles and capturing a moment in time.
Not realistically – a singer (I can’t sing) or a fiction writer (I haven’t been inspired and probably don’t write that well either) or a professional tennis player (I’m not good enough).
FPTP: What are you most looking forward to in 2016?
MANMD: Truly, nothing big. There are people who aspire to do great things or to be famous (or at least internet famous : ). I have never been one of those people. I generally aspire to do many small things that matter in small ways. And I think that many ‘small’ things can add up to big effects. I look forward to enjoying moments of “Little Wonders” (in the words of Rob Thomas). I look forward to the time that I have with the people who matter most to me. And I look forward to getting a little more time to work on being a better person – because for all of us, I believe we are a work in progress and that we can always be better. So I keep working on it. Every day. Every year. And when I get tired or when it seems hard, I take a “mental health moment” and eat some ice cream. 🙂
Thanks, Dr. Nguyen!