How to be a Georgia Peach

When I think of Georgia, I used to think "Atlanta," and in my mind, the state of Georgia was made into something much smaller, much less than what it really is.

I have not blogged much for a while now; I was looking at my past blogs and have realized that during my time in Georgia, I have only blogged like three or four times.

It's funny though, because the last four months have been full of adventure and challenges and lessons learned.

The first step for me in becoming a Georgia Peach was realizing that Georgia is so much more than an Atlanta. Funny realization, I know; but when I first drove to Gainesville, I was confused because I was met with a small city with farmlands as its outskirts. Surely this is nothing like Atlanta.

Very true, and if you have never set foot in the North Georgia Mountains, you are 100% missing out.

Just like Georgia is more than its Atlantas, this first travel contract of mine has been more than the busy moments of life, more than traveling somewhere for a job; more than just a job.

Now don't get me wrong, it is nice to have a reasonable paycheck for the kind of work I do, especially during a time like this.

However, the last four months of trying something new and out of my comfort zone was more than just for the increase in income; it was to repair the damage that had been done to me in the past, to try to re-find myself in the midst of the chaotic world around me.

I have tried to focus more on myself and less on my career; I have worked hard to reel back the anxiety that made it so hard to leave work at work and enjoy the quietness of peace radiating through my home.

Sometimes it's hard to remember you are more than your career, your job description; especially when you pour so much of your heart and soul into what you do when you get paid.

I think, for me, learning how to be a Georgia Peach has been my saving grace this year.

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As I look back on my Georgia adventures, I can see aspects of growth and aspects of healing

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The healthcare field can be a very toxic place to work and unfortunately, I have learned this already during the short time in my career.

It's hard to pour your passionate heart and soul into something when you don't feel appreciated.

And that is where being a Georgia Peach comes in; you have to be able to show yourself the appreciate you deserve.

Does your heart desire rest? Give it rest.

Does your heart desire peace and some fresh air? Give it peace and fresh air.

What does being a Georgia Peach mean (to me)?

It means being sweet enough to aid yourself into healing what has been broken and creating something out of yourself you can respect and love.

It means learning what works best for your body, for your mental health, and actually setting yourself up for something other than failure.

It means breathing in the fresh mountain air of North Georgia or turning on Netflix and re-watching your favorite show, allowing your mind to let work stay at work and your body rest when it needs it.

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Travel nursing has given me the healthy ability to distance myself from an healthcare organization. It has allowed me to reflect on what I believe a successful healthcare professional path should look like. It has given me the courage to stand up for myself and in what I believe. It has given me the bravery to take on new challenges and has showed me that I can do a lot more than I originally gave myself credit.

Travel nursing has given me the space I needed. Although the burnout is still real, it has allowed me to recognize healthy boundaries and how to fight for those boundaries. It has allowed me to work with my anxiety instead of allowing my anxieties to work against me.

If you are thinking about entering the world of travel nursing, I would 100% recommend it. If you have any questions in reference to travel nursing, I would love to answer any and all of them.

Traveling isn't for everyone; it isn't for the faint of heart. If this is your first time travel nursing, and if you are anything like me, I would definitely recommend a "security blanket," or a friend to accompany you, like I did.

As a travel nurse, you will learn many things about yourself, about the organization you work for, about the world, about what you find most important to you.

At the end of this contract, the end of these four months being a travel nurse in the beautiful state of Georgia, I have learned what being a Georgia Peach means. And because of this, I believe I am stronger and wiser and ready for the challenges that face me.

I am proud and thankful to be a Georgia Peach.

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A wise woman once told me, as we drove through winding mountainous roads, "these are the moments we won't ever forget, these memories we are making right now."

And I think she was very much so right.

You won't ever be able to get these moments back; and even in the midst of a chaotic and oscillating world, these memories are what will carry us into our future.

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"Who knows, if I never showed up what could've been

I had a marvelous time ruining everything"