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The Shortcomings Of Support: A 2020 Meta-Reflection, Emily Abellon

Survive & Thrive: A Journal for Medical Humanities and Narrative as Medicine

This reflective essay explores the shortcoming of social support experienced in 2020, through the navigation of the pandemic, becoming a mother, and through progressing in a doctoral program. Through this meta-reflection, social support is discussed, specifically in regard to new motherhood, the challenges of enacting it during a pandemic, and how the practice of self-compassion needs to be normalized and can provide aid in times when support is lacking. The argument is made for further research and education on social support to be done to better prepare for challenges and obstacles that people of all backgrounds, from all industries and …