Authentically Anna
- annasunnyg
- Dec 2
- 3 min read
Well hey there — I'm back!!! Didja miss me?
This site is now officially renamed “Authentically Anna” to better reflect who I am and what this space keeps wanting to grow into. <3
After several more years of growth, therapy, and life experiences, I’m learning new ways to process my emotions and frustrations. A recent realization brought me back here again… turns out typing out what I need to say, even if it’s only seen by me, is a way to shout into the Void (and not into my family’s ears).
This comes at the same time I’ve been wanting to reignite my website as a place to share local community happenings, things that matter in today’s world, and the importance of creativity (in all its forms). Now more than ever, people need connection, and this is where I want to share myself and my story in hopes that it resonates with someone out there.
And if not… Void, you’re a great listener.(You too, AI, welcome to my brain. It’s a MESS in here, lol.)
But anyway… here we are!
Life is never perfect, of course, but I’m in a truly great chapter. I have so much gratitude for where I am and the opportunities I’ve had, even the ones that forced growth. I’m thankful for my life here in Nashville, where I’ve had the space to become my most authentic self. <3
One of the biggest recent changes has been joining a local group and actually going to events! The GSA, Gender and Sexuality Alliance, has been the best group of people to stumble into, with so many fun things happening all the time. My first event was a s’mores hang, and since then I’ve loved Halloween BingoOoOo, a queer potluck, and a crafting event!
It has been so good for my mental health to be part of an accepting community of people like me, people who actually get me out of the apartment and into the world. A lot of folks in the group also volunteer or work with nonprofits, which is something I’ve been wanting to get into, so it’s been the perfect connection-maker.
Physically, I’m feeling stronger and more flexible, too! I’ve been shifting my mindset around movement, doing things that make my body feel better instead of punishing it for “being fat” or for eating “too much.” Making fun goals, like getting strong for the camping trip I took for my birthday in October, completely changed my motivation.
Encouraging myself instead of tearing myself down has been huge. Hating my body never helped me take care of myself, it only held me back.
Unfortunately sometimes body positivity feels unrealistic or even inauthentic. Something my counselor said helped shift everything: body neutrality.
Hating my body is harmful. Loving my body (all the time) isn’t always realistic. But being okay with how I look? That helped undo a lot of damage.
Embracing Health at Every Size has also helped me unlearn harmful thoughts about bigger bodies.
(Click here for resources I’ve found helpful →)
Unfortunately… work is the sore spot. It’s just so understimulating, and I feel trapped in the same repetitive tasks I’ve been doing for years. I finished my master’s in August (Clinical Laboratory Management!), and now I’m stuck asking myself: now what?
Originally, I wanted to become a laboratory supervisor. But the more experience I gain in the clinical world, the more disillusioned I’ve become with how capitalism has warped healthcare, prioritizing profits over actual patient care. So now I’m unsure how to use my degree.
All I know is that I want to make a difference and create the most good for others… and I feel stuck on how to do that.
Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful for my job. The science is fascinating, and I love the blend of science + helping patients. I’m paid reasonably well to sit in air-conditioning, and I have mostly great coworkers and a supportive boss.
But I’m counting to 46 eighty times a day. Every day. Over and over. Forever.
I’ve asked for more responsibilities, and the company even put it into my growth goals. But leadership doesn’t actually want people doing those tasks. They just want analysts pumping out cases so they can say they “support growth” and win awards for it. It’s gross. Especially when medical companies claim they’re doing it “for the patients,” when the patients are really the revenue source.
I have… a lot of feelings about my job right now, lol. It’s a work in progress. (buh dum, tsss)
But overall, I am doing well, and am always on the journey to making life better for myself and others <3
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