“The greatest burden is not the illness itself, but the fear of what it might become.”

Health anxiety is far more common than many of us realise. It is that persistent, nagging worry about your health that lingers even after a normal medical evaluation. What begins as a harmless bodily sensation can quickly spiral into a cycle of fear, checking, and repeated reassurance-seeking.

"You cannot pour from an empty cup." — Anonymous

We often speak of medicine as a "calling," a term that suggests a level of devotion bordering on the sacred. From the first day of medical school, doctors are conditioned to view sleep as a luxury, family milestones as secondary, and personal exhaustion as a badge of honour. This culture of self-denial is built on the noble premise of "patients first."

In an increasingly noisy and chaotic world, it has become more important now than ever to take note — and to consciously minimise both.

Just take a look around. Noise is everywhere. And we spare no effort in creating more of it.

“Most of us aren’t making the wrong choices; we’re simply repeating the familiar ones.” Dr Rj

We like to believe we’re rational creatures, moving through life with intention and clarity. Yet, time and again, we find ourselves doing the unnecessary while avoiding what truly matters. It’s almost comedic—standing before life’s grand menu and somehow picking the fried nonsense over the nourishing wisdom salad.