Navigating the Chaos of Life

Dr Dèhan Strüwig gives insights into ways of 'navigating the chaos of life'.
Navigating the Chaos of Life
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A Personal Reflection by Dr Dèhan Strüwig

Life can often be challenging, overwhelming and confusing. Navigating one's studies, personal or professional goals and the wider world can leave us drained and unsure on how to move forward.

Lord Laidlaw is often asked on how to approach these difficult moments. In the chaos of the every day, how do we navigate all the pressures and stresses of life? Dr Strüwig's eloquent and heart-felt reflection deeply resonated with Lord Laidlaw, who felt it could provide valuable guidance to scholars who may be struggling with these issues. In this poignant narrative, Lord Laidlaw's surgeon Dr Strüwig draws parallels between everyday experiences and the world of medicine. He encourages us not to attempt to control the chaos, but to find balance within the beautiful messiness of existence. 

Read Dr Strüwig's inspirational reflection below: 

Navigating the chaos of life

Dear Patients, Colleagues and Friends,

 

Life has a funny way of reminding us that control is an illusion. When we think we have everything neatly arranged—our plans, routines, even our thoughts—chaos bursts through the door like an uninvited guest. As a plastic surgeon, I've seen this dynamic unfold in ways you wouldn't expect, both in the operating room and life.

 

In fact, our everyday experiences and the world of medicine share more similarities than you might imagine. Both are governed by an ebb and flow, periods of calm interspersed with bursts of unexpected activity. But, instead of resisting this chaos, I've realized that life (and surgery) is about finding balance within it. So, let's talk a little about how we can navigate the beautiful messiness of existence—whether you're sculpting a body, sculpting your life, or just trying to get through a Tuesday.

 

The Controlled Chaos of Surgery

When people think of surgery, they often picture a perfectly controlled environment: bright lights, sterile instruments, and a team of professionals working synchronously. But many don't see the underlying current of unpredictability that flows beneath it all. Every surgery is unique, much like every person. Even with years of experience and a well-laid plan, each patient presents a new set of variables. Despite all our medical advancements, the body is not a machine—it's an ever-evolving, living entity. And sometimes, it has its own agenda.

 

Take, for instance, the humble nose job. What seems like a straightforward operation can suddenly become a lesson in anatomical improvisation. Perhaps the patient's nasal structure offers an unexpected twist or two. Or maybe their healing process takes a detour no one anticipated. In moments like these, it's essential to have a flexible mindset and to flow with the rhythm of the procedure, adjusting as needed.

 

It's a lot like life, really. You can have a solid game plan, but you'd better be ready for the moments when life decides to play jazz instead of sticking to the sheet music. That's where the art comes in—learning to adapt, pivot, and even embrace the unexpected.

 

Plastic Surgery and Life: Both Require Patience

Here's where it gets interesting: plastic surgery isn't an instant fix. It might seem odd to hear from someone who makes a living by helping people improve their appearances and navigating the delicate dance of reconstructive surgery. But the truth is that results take time, whether it's a facelift, breast augmentation, breast cancer, or skin cancer. Healing takes time. Stitches, swelling, and bruising are all part of the body's natural process of recalibrating itself. If you want perfection right away, you're going to be disappointed.

 

This brings me to an essential philosophical nugget—life, too, requires patience. We live in a world where instant gratification is the name of the game. We want fast internet, quick results, and immediate feedback. But real growth, whether physical, emotional, or professional, takes time. Think of the healing process from surgery as a metaphor for the broader picture of life. It can be messy at first. You might not see progress immediately. But over time, with care, attention, and patience, things do improve.

 

So, whether you're healing from surgery or healing from one of life's many curveballs, it's essential to trust the process. Give yourself grace. You'll get there, even if it doesn't happen overnight.

 

The Best Medicine for Chaos

I've learned in my practice and life that a bit of humor goes a long way. Let's be honest—how else could I get through a 12-hour day of seeing patients, managing a practice, performing surgeries, and still be sane enough to write this newsletter?

 

In surgery, things rarely go exactly as planned. The human body is complex, and sometimes it throws a little curve ball in the mix. Now, you might think that surgeons are all serious, steady-handed professionals (which we are), but you may not know that operating rooms often have their fair share of light-hearted moments. The occasional joke or banter helps break the tension and keeps the mood from becoming too heavy. It's a reminder that even in the most severe circumstances, it's essential not to take yourself too seriously.

 

The same goes for life. Things will go wrong. Schedules will fall apart. Your three-year-old will have a meltdown in the grocery store. Your dog will throw up on your new couch. Life is absurd, and the best way to deal with it is to find the humor in it all. After all, laughter has a way of shrinking our problems down to a more manageable size. I don't know about you, but I'd rather laugh than cry when life knocked over my carefully built house of cards.

 

Finding Balance in the Ebb and Flow

Of course, humor isn't a cure-all, and patience doesn't mean passivity. Chaos is a part of life, but how we respond to it is within our control. In both surgery and in everyday life, finding balance is crucial.

 

In the operating room, balance means knowing when to push forward and when to pause. It's about making decisions in real-time, with precision and care, while also understanding that the human body—like life itself—can be unpredictable. Outside of the OR, the same principle applies. We can't control everything, but we can decide how we react. Sometimes, we have to step back and assess the bigger picture. Sometimes, we have to make quick decisions. The key is to remain centered.

 

Balance doesn't mean keeping everything perfectly in place; it means staying steady while things around you shift. It's a dance. The chaos doesn't stop, but we learn to move with it rather than against it. And when you do that, life becomes less about "fixing" and more about "adapting."

 

Embracing the Beautiful Mess

Here's the final takeaway: life is messy. Surgery is messy. Healing is messy. And that's okay. The chaos, unpredictability, and detours are all part of the process. Whether you're facing a new challenge in your life or recovering from a procedure, remember that embracing the mess is okay.

 

So, take a deep breath the next time you find yourself in the middle of one of life's inevitable whirlwind moments. Laugh if you can. Be patient with yourself. And remember: there's beauty in the ebb and flow, the chaos and calm, the mess and the masterpiece.

 

Here's to navigating life's beautifully chaotic journey inside and outside the operating room.

 

Warm regards,

 

Dèhan Strüwig, Plastic Surgeon and Chaos Navigator, Sr Beryl and Amori

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