A Bright and Bold New Year!

Here we are again on the precipice of a new year, if you are one of the fortunate people who get to see it.  Not everyone has the opportunity to start fresh on January first.  I lost one of my dear friends last year to ALS, and I think of her now as I get the honor and privilege to plan for another year.  She was a bright and bold individual who faced her disease with grace and dignity. ALS slowly and viciously robs you of your abilities.  She was the bravest person I have ever met, and she will not have the opportunity to see 2026. Her family has to face everything without her. In her honor, I write this blog to challenge myself and all of you to think of this new year differently and savor the opportunity to live brightly and boldly, no matter your circumstances.

Now, let's consider what it means to be bold.  

The dictionary definition: "Fearless and daring; brave and courageous; unduly forward and brazen." If I could embody these traits, what might I accomplish next year?

To become bolder, we first have to acknowledge what we carry from the past. Awareness creates clarity and allows us to let go. What happened last year that challenged you? What did you learn? What do you want to release, and what changes do you want to make? Last year was simply a time that shaped you. My friend's passing taught me patience and perseverance. I will always remember her bravery. If you acknowledge your past and let it go, you make room for the person you want to become—for possibilities.

A second step towards creating a bold new year might be setting some boundaries around your time.  Saying “no’ when you want to say no without over-explaining yourself or making excuses.  Boldly stepping up and asking for help when you feel the need. Prioritizing your physical and mental health.  Asking for or hiring help is not a weakness; it is self-protection and self-care, and it allows you to accelerate your personal growth.  

Turning to the idea of brightness, how do we create more of it in our lives?

Creating a brighter new year means focusing on the light ahead. Imagine your future as full of possibilities, without limitation. Feeling more optimistic and lighter frees your mind to dream bigger and plan without fear of failure. Ask yourself how you want to feel in 2026. What do you want to create for yourself—not just achieve? Achievement brings satisfaction, but always striving produces anxiety. Redirect ambition toward cultivating better feelings: calm in place of anxiety, confidence in place of self-doubt. These are goals that lead to true success. Satisfaction, worthiness, and fulfillment—that is brightness.

With these themes in mind, how can we start making progress?

Choose a word/theme for this year.  Mine is appreciation.  I want to live this year in true appreciation for all of my blessings.  After watching my friend die, I know that each minute I have is a gift, and I want to live up to that.  What is the word or theme that you want to live into?  

Once you have your theme, identify what boundary could make it possible. Can you limit distractions or reduce work hours to spend more time on yourself? Consider coaching or therapy, or return to nature. It need not be a huge change—incremental shifts can build lasting transformation if you focus on what you want to create.

Commit to a growth practice, whether it is journaling, coaching, therapy, gratitude, meditation, prayer, reading, or more sleep. Any practice that gives you space to be more of yourself and less distracted, anxious, and overwhelmed. Small changes can lead to big results. If you promise to journal daily and do it only three days, three is better than zero. Check in with yourself weekly to notice progress and focus on consistent effort over perfection. Starting each day again with intention leads to true growth and change.

As you face the new year, remember: you are not broken or behind. You are not failing. You are a remarkable, worthy individual with many gifts for the world. This year can be bolder and brighter, not harder. By forging a renewed relationship with yourself, your family, and your work, you may still meet challenges, but you will value your life more and all its blessings.

Have a bold and bright new year - just take one small step at a time in honor of my dear friend.

Dr. Julie Cappel

“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

Take Time to Rest in a Stressful Holiday Season

It’s the holiday season, and our stress is starting to build.  You may say, “build? I am stressed all day, every day. What do you mean by build?” 

 

The holiday season can also be a beautiful time of year—twinkling holiday lights (my favorite), gatherings with friends and family, cozy or ugly winter sweaters, and moments of gratitude are what we truly want.

I know from experience that being a veterinarian and a mom at this time of year is crazy stressful.  The clinic gets busier, clients are more anxious about everything, meeting production goals becomes difficult, and personal obligations like parties, school concerts, and family demands seem to increase exponentially.  Those of you who have young children must play “Elf on the Shelf” and Santa Claus! How much more can we put on ourselves without exploding?

But you can enjoy this season—and you deserve to. You can learn to change your expectations and create different intentions. With a bit of mindset work, you can make better decisions and create a calmer, more meaningful holiday experience, even in the middle of our veterinary life chaos. Here are a few ways to create more peace for yourself this year.

Start by creating your own holiday pace. Veterinarians are very skilled at rushing through life, but you don’t have to keep the workplace urgency going at home.  Slow things down a little wherever you can.  Say “no” to unnecessary things and stop your people-pleasing.  You are not responsible for making things perfect; your goal is to make things joyful and fun for yourself and your family.  Not performing, not perfecting, just simply creating more happiness.

Focus on staying present. Holiday stress often comes from trying to do everything “right”—the perfect gifts, perfect meals, perfect decorations, perfect schedule. Just yesterday I was wrapping gifts and beating myself up over my wrapping skills - ridiculous! Instead, try focusing on presence: being where you are, noticing what’s around you, and allowing yourself to experience moments without judging them. Perfection is exhausting; presence will restore you and bring more peace.

Give yourself the gift of boundaries. You spend all year caring for others—clients, pets, staff, friends, and family. It’s okay to care for yourself, too. Setting gentle boundaries this season can help you protect your time. Whether that’s limiting after-hours texts or calls, delegating holiday tasks, or carving out quiet time each day, boundaries create space for you to feel peace.

Build in tiny moments of calmness at work. Take three deep breaths between appointments. Enjoy your coffee or lunch without multitasking. Step outside for two minutes of cool air, grounding, and silence. Sit in your car after work for a brief moment of stillness and meditation before heading home. These tiny resets add up and keep your stress from compounding.

Choose some things that bring you joy. The holidays are meant to be enjoyable, but sometimes we get stuck doing things out of habit, tradition, or obligation. This year, ask yourself: What actually brings me joy? Maybe it’s baking, perhaps it’s skipping the baking. Maybe it’s hosting, or maybe it’s staying home in pajamas and watching cheesy holiday movies. Maybe buy yourself a small gift. Follow what energizes you—not what drains you.

Practice some compassion for yourself. Give yourself grace this season. You’re uniquely human. You get tired. You have emotions, and you may even have a couple meltdowns - I have. Make the best decisions you can in demanding situations. Self-compassion is not weakness—it’s a strength that keeps you grounded and creates resilience.

You deserve some rest. (Now I am talking to myself as well as you) Even in this busy veterinary life, you can find joy, comfort, and calm. This season, allow yourself to release unrealistic expectations, simplify where you can, and focus on what feels most meaningful to you. When you take care of your own emotional well-being, you will show up as your best self—for your patients, your loved ones, and most importantly, for yourself.

I am wishing you and your family (pets included) a peaceful, joyful, and relaxed holiday season. Please take care of you!

 Dr. Julie Cappel

“Things to remember this holiday season: Breathe. Spend time with those you love. Rest when you can. Be kind to yourself and remember you don’t have to be a superhero.” – Anna Grace Taylor.