Why Every Optometrist Needs a Creative Outlet
I never saw myself as a "creative."
For years, optometry was my only professional identity. It's an amazing profession that's rewarding and meaningful.
But creative? Not exactly.
After years of primary care, I started to feel like I was moving on autopilot — same tests, same conversations, day after day. That’s when I decided to start this well-being blog.
Not for money. Not for publicity.
Just to follow my passion for sharing ideas.
Optometry paid the bills, which gave me the freedom to create without pressure. Writing became its own reward — a space where I could experiment, reflect, and rediscover curiosity.
The Unexpected Returns
The surprising part? How much I’ve grown because of it.
I started knowing absolutely nothing — domains, hosting, publishing. But one by one, I figured it out. I learned how to tell better stories, write with clarity, and find my voice. Every new skill felt like unlocking a new level.
And here’s the funny thing: it made me a better optometrist too.
Writing helped me communicate more clearly with patients. My notes became sharper and more concise. Even conversations flowed better.
Not long after, I teamed up with a good friend and colleague, Dr. Riyad Khamis, to launch a podcast. We knew nothing about recording, editing, or RSS feeds, but we learned — episode by episode.
Every creative project taught me something new that ended up improving other aspects of my life.
Of course, the biggest reward of all was simply the joy of being creative!
The Creative Imperative
When I share these projects with others, they’re often fascinated — but not necessarily inspired to start their own. And I get it. We’re busy. We’re tired.
But here’s what I’ve realized: creativity isn’t optional for healthcare professionals. It’s essential.
We all need an outlet that isn’t bound by clinical protocols — something that’s purely ours. A space to explore, play, and have fun!
As kids, we were endlessly curious — drawing, building, asking questions. Somewhere along the way, we lost that instinct and decided creativity was only for “people in creative fields.”
Everyone is creative — it's our natural state!
What's Your Creative Pursuit?
Write one blog post. Record one video. Sketch one idea. Build one thing.
Pick something that makes you curious — something that lights you up.
Your clinical work will still be there tomorrow, running on familiar patterns. But your creative work? That’s where you get to make the rules.
You’re not just an optometrist.
You’re a builder, a thinker, a storyteller — someone with ideas worth sharing and skills worth developing.
So... What's that creative pursuit you've been putting off?
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