I graduated from my MFA program! Now what?

This past spring, before graduating from my Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program in creative writing, I had one last meeting with my adviser. We connected via Zoom as I sat on my back porch in North Carolina while he sat in his office back in Arkansas. That’s when he asked me a question that, in the moment, caught me off guard.

“What’s next?” he asked.

The trees behind me in my yard were bright green with springtime, the forest canopy full of birds and baby squirrels. I watched a cardinal land on the roof through my laptop’s camera.

I should’ve anticipated that question. It makes sense that, after four years of being my instructor and mentor, he’d want to know what was ahead for me. I’d just successfully defended my thesis in the weeks before this meeting, so that was off my plate.

What was I planning to do next?

Recommended Reading

December 3, 2024 News by Steve Bryson, PhD

Markedly fewer CF lung transplants since Trikafta approval: Study

In the moment, I think I spat out something about a job search — which was true, as I’d been starting to refresh my curriculum vitae and resume. But composing cover letters had felt a feat too tall for me to tackle. I might have also mentioned something about continuing to send my poetry manuscript — the project I’d just defended — to publishers for consideration.

But I don’t entirely remember what all I said; instead, I remember what I didn’t say, even though it popped into my head. What I wanted to say, and almost said, was that I needed to spend time tending to my chronically ill body, which had often taken a back seat amid the hectic and overwhelming MFA program.

Focusing on my health priorities

That’s not to say that I completely neglected myself. I took what I call my “Level One Emergency” medications — the meds that my body would totally fail without, such as Trikafta (elexacaftor, tezacaftor, and ivacaftor) for my cystic fibrosis (CF) and insulin for my CF-related diabetes. Of course, one side effect of extreme stress, which happens while completing a graduate degree, is forgetfulness.

As my fellow columnist Bailey Anne Vincent talked about in her return column (by the way, glad to have you back, Bailey!), I cannot be me without also being my disabled body. It’s all connected.

With the overwhelming burnout, for a variety of reasons, that I was living with during my MFA coursework, I found vitamins and other nonprescription drugs easier to skip. Of course, this flawed thinking came from a logical fallacy. All my meds are important because everything is connected.

So what was next, at least through this past summer, was the priority of listening to my body. Now I have goals to lower my A1C and to build a stronger relationship with my local disability communities, including my support system and my healthcare team.

I don’t know why I didn’t refer to all of that after the question from my adviser. I think that once I hesitated to say it, it felt harder to say. And then, the moment had passed, the conversation growing and expanding beyond that query.

Now I’m in the process of transferring my care to a regional clinic. I just found a new primary care provider who’s treating me virtually. That way I don’t have to go to a clinic and risk a viral infection if I need something as simple as a prescription refill.

With the burnout fog thinned by both time and time off, I’m applying to more jobs and feeling hopeful about the cover letters I’m writing. I haven’t reached all my goals yet, but I do feel I’m closer to them than I was. And isn’t that healing?

Note: Cystic Fibrosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Cystic Fibrosis News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to cystic fibrosis.