Choose life - a sweet reminder. By Kelsie Hacking

CHOOSE LIFE

- a sweet reminder

By Kelsie Hacking I Newly Qualified Dental Technician

Hi there! My name is Kelsie and I’ve been working in dentistry since 2017 when I started a dental nursing apprenticeship at Wright dental care, Worksop. Fast forward 4 years, a global pandemic and a lot of stress, the excitement of opening my emails to a very special invitation certainly gave me a huge sense of achievement!...

‘Class of 2021 graduation ceremony’. I did it!. After two years of studying, I am pleased to say that I have qualified as a dental technician, with a distinction! (my first higher education course). It’s a great feeling to know that all the hard work has paid off, especially due to the challenges of studying during the coronavirus outbreak. I feel that if there’s one thing we all have in common, it’s that we can relate in one way or another to the challenges and the difficult times that have presented in the last year. The coronavirus outbreak has truly taken the world by storm and I would like to send love and best wishes to all and a big, BIG welcome to the adventures and opportunities that are coming our way as we now move forward. How exciting!?

On a positive note; I am now working as a dental technician at an orthodontic laboratory and when approached with the idea of contributing to the dental technician magazine; I felt it was a great opportunity to share my journey and to spread some motivation following the global pandemic. It hasn’t always been a straightforward process to get to this point considering that I left school almost 10 years ago, not knowing which direction to follow. Since then I have had experience in many different work environments, but dentistry has been my favourite and I hope to succeed further in this field. I have a particular interest in orthodontics and it makes me happy that I can be a part of the patients journey to a straighter smile!.

One thing in life that concerns me is when I see people searching for happiness in materialistic possessions. Happiness is so much more than that!. It comes from within, it is not a destination, it is a way of life!. Personally, I feel that if I have gained anything out of the last year, it is a new perspective and a reminder that life is short and as cliché’ as it sounds, tomorrow isn’t promised. I see the world differently now and I would love to take the chance to remind you to choose life because nobody really knows when it could be taken away from you.

Who could have guessed that a global pandemic was heading our way? who can see the events of tomorrow? Although looking forward is a part of life, right now is what we have. It’s all we have. So, the biggest message I want to promote is whatever you are planning u

for, whatever is on your mind, hopes, wishes, dreams. Don’t wait, do them now! I promise you won’t regret it!. I would like to share a quote which I came across recently. I hope it means something to you to and inspires you like it did me.

‘The goal is to die with memories, not dreams’.

I am truly passionate about gaining the most out of life and taking chances and opportunities. I encourage you to do the same because life is too short!. So this is your reminder to experience all of what life can offer.

In my life outside of work, I have always been an active person with a great love of the outdoors and adventure. At the start of 2021, I pulled myself up and agreed to take myself out every weekend, hiking, day trips; whatever took my fancy (usually a hike because it’s the most fulfilling and free activity you can do at any time of the year). The benefits of walking are endless, not only is it a great form of exercise, it also helps to improve mental health, stress and anxiety. I would encourage you all to get out walking and hiking. Most recently I have completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge, which is a total of 24 miles with 1585m of ascent!. It was a brutal but fantastic day and I often think back to it and it makes me really happy knowing that I said yes and did it!.

I have also completed Snowdon, amongst others and was blessed with a beautiful cloud inversion. It was the most stunning scene I had ever witnessed!. Going out and exploring the outdoors is one of the best things in life, there is so much to see and do and I am very passionate about exploring and going on adventures. I have recently created an Instagram page to document all my hikes and adventures. Feel free to follow for inspiration!

@hikeradventurerexplorer