To say 2020 was sobering would be an understatement. No amount of New Year’s Eve champagne could intoxicate the reality, adversity, and uncertainty that was last year. So instead of echoing the narrative of doing more with blind and relentless optimism, I want to instead home in on “leveling up” by…scaling back. Returning to basics at your own pace. Finding utility and yet novelty in what you already have. When I get home from work, all I want to do is relax. This means the effort that goes into being my own caretaker is minimal. After a few months of exhaustion and self-neglect, I realized I needed to imbue a little bit more care, creativity, and color to days that sometimes felt anemic. And on days when I really need some extra fuel to get this done, I grab an RXBAR on my way out the door. Here are three simple, oh-so-minimal ways I “level up” by scaling back. Regardless of where you are, perhaps you feel a little less energy available to spend on snack preparation. I’m out of my apartment quite often for work and am wearing a mask all day in the clinic. Wearing a mask certainly presents a challenge for ease of snacking. So having a grab-and-go option is absolutely essential. RXBAR embodies the idea of back to basics (my current obsession is their chocolate raspberry flavor). Their ingredient list is simplistic, pronounceable, and just plain tasty. With antioxidants from nuts, fiber from whole dates, and protein from egg whites—it truly has the most minimal version of the essentials all bundled up into a bar. Scarfed down in seconds, then satiated and energized to tackle whatever comes my way. Here’s an idea: FaceTime a friend, go through your pantries together, and then find recipes for each other using ingredients of things you already have! I channel the approach of RXBAR’s ingredients—aim for a fiber source, a protein, and some fat, too (think quinoa with white beans and tahini dressing or chickpea pasta with tomato sauce and hemp seeds on top). Bonus points if you can toss in some carrots lying around from the fridge, an onion from a drawer, or a handful of frozen spinach! This habit can then steamroll into weekly meal prep, too. Creating recipes based on the ingredients you already have is a great way to get creative while also saving money. And if you find leftovers you no longer need or enjoy (after checking the expiration date first, of course)—find a local food pantry and donate! The challenges faced this year, in life and in health care, at times seemed insurmountable. But by focusing and appreciating the abundance of what I already have, ensuring time for self-connection and compassion every day, and fueling my mind and body to feel satiated and energized, I got through it. Sometimes one foot in front of the other, sometimes standing still, sometimes feeling as if I was walking backward but through it nonetheless.
