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January 2026
January has always felt different to me. It’s quieter in some ways, slower in others. The calendar flips, the decorations come down, and there’s a collective exhale after the intensity of the holidays. But for me, January is never just about resolutions. It’s about reflection. It’s about looking back honestly at where we’ve been, acknowledging what we’ve carried, and intentionally deciding how we want to move forward.
This past year has been full. And I don’t mean “busy” in the surface-level, checkbox kind of way. I mean full in the truest sense: full of growth, full of emotion, full of joy, full of grief, and full of lessons I didn’t know I still needed to learn. As a physician, a practice owner, and a human being, this year stretched me in ways I didn’t anticipate. And yet, it also reminded me, again and again, why I chose this path and why I continue to show up with my whole heart.
Learning to Let Go (Without Giving Up). Perfectionism and Delegation.
If you had asked me years ago what my greatest strength was, I would have said my drive. My attention to detail. My need to make sure everything was done right, or even better, perfect. And while those qualities helped build MidState Skin Institute, they also carried a hidden cost. This year, I realized something important: perfectionism and sustainability don’t coexist very well. You cannot do everything, and do it well, without eventually burning out.
Not everything has to be perfect to be meaningful.
Not everything has to be micromanaged to be excellent.
Some days, “good enough” really is good enough. Letting go didn’t lower my standards. It refined them. It helped me focus on what truly matters; our patients, our people, and the culture we’re creating, rather than chasing flawless execution at the expense of peace. Along with letting go of perfectionism, I learned to delegate more. Not because I was failing, but because I was finally trusting. Trusting my team. Trusting the systems we’ve built. Trusting that excellence doesn’t disappear just because I’m not holding every single piece myself.
Delegating didn’t mean I cared less. It meant I trusted more.
That wasn’t easy for me. Letting go never is. But as I slowly stepped back and allowed my team to step forward, something incredible happened. They rose. They took initiative. They brought ideas, solutions, and leadership of their own. And the practice became stronger, not weaker, because of it. And in doing so, I found something I hadn’t realized I was missing. Space. Space to breathe. Space to think. Space to slow down and be present in the moment. Space to lead instead of constantly reacting.
Choosing Gratitude, Even When It’s Hard
We celebrated beautiful milestones this year—new babies born into our MidState family, employees graduating from furthering their education, goals met and limiting beliefs shattered. We watched confidence grow and limits fall away. However, this year reminded me that gratitude isn’t something you feel automatically, it’s something you choose, especially when life feels heavy. And there were heavy moments.
We walked alongside team members facing cancer and other devastating diagnoses, showing up for them anyway we could. Navigating fear, celebrating victories, and holding space during the hardest days. Watching someone you care about fight for their health humbles you in a way nothing else can.
And then there was loss.
As a dermatologist, I have the privilege of walking with patients for years, even decades. I watch families grow, children become adults, and lives change. This year, we said goodbye to a few patients who meant a great deal to me. Losing them wasn’t just sad, it was personal. Some of these patients have quite literally watched me grow into the physician I am today and some of my most honorable life’s work is being able to care for them. In medicine, we’re taught how to diagnose, how to treat, how to problem-solve. But we’re rarely taught how to grieve. And yet, grief is inseparable from caring deeply. I’ve come to realize that it’s not something to harden yourself against, it’s proof that the connection mattered. And I wouldn’t trade that connection for anything.
This year, that loss extended beyond our patients. We also lost a member of our MidState family. The impact rippled through our entire team. There was a quiet heaviness in the hallways, moments of shared tears, and an unspoken understanding that we were all hurting together. It reminded us that what we’ve built here is more than a workplace, it’s a community. We lean on one another, we grieve together, and we show up anyway. In many ways, that loss changed us. It softened us. It made us more intentional with our words, more patient with each other, and more aware of how deeply we value every person on this team. We don’t take each other for granted. We check in more. We lead with more compassion.
In those moments, gratitude didn’t look like happiness. It looked like remembrance. It looked like honoring lives well-lived and being thankful for the time we had, even when it felt too short.
Redefining Burnout
Burnout doesn’t always announce itself loudly. Sometimes it creeps in quietly—through exhaustion, irritability, or the feeling that you’re constantly behind no matter how hard you work.
This year, I made a conscious decision to redefine what success looks like for me.
Success isn’t doing everything.
Success isn’t never resting.
Success isn’t being perfect.
Success is being present.
Success is creating space to breathe.
Success is leading with compassion, for others and for myself.
I learned to protect my energy more intentionally. To say no when needed. To step back when appropriate. Ironically, that balance made me a better physician and a better leader.
The Power of a Team That Feels Like Family
One of the greatest sources of strength this year has been our team. Through celebrations, illness, loss, and growth, they showed up for one another in ways that can’t be taught in training manuals. There’s something incredibly powerful about a workplace where people feel safe to be human. Where life isn’t something you leave at the door when you clock in. Watching team members support each other through cancer treatments, maternity leave, grief, and joy reminded me that MidState isn’t just a practice. It’s a family. And families thrive not because everything is easy, but because people choose to care.
Looking Ahead to 2026 With Intention
As we step into 2026, I’m not chasing perfection. I’m choosing intention.
My hope for the year ahead is simple:
- Continue building a practice rooted in compassion and excellence
- Support our team as family, not just employees
- Care for our patients with the same heart that started it all
- Protect gratitude, even on the days that feel heavy
- Remember that leadership doesn’t mean carrying everything alone
- Show up each day with humility, purpose, and heart.
If this year taught me anything, it’s that you don’t have to carry everything to lead well. You don’t have to be perfect to be impactful. And you don’t have to have it all figured out to keep moving forward. Thank you for trusting us, for being part of our journey, and for allowing MidState Skin Institute to be part of your lives.
Here’s to a new year filled with growth, gratitude and grace.
— Dr. Cauthen
Featured Products- Available at MidState Skin
PCA Blemish Control Bar (aka the acne bar everyone swears by) is a gentle yet powerful cleansing treatment designed to clear breakouts without stripping or irritating the skin. It helps reduce excess oil, calm inflammation, and prevent future blemishes—making it a go-to for consistent, clearer skin.
Who it’s for:
Ideal for oily, acne-prone, or congested skin types—including teens, adults, and anyone struggling with breakouts on the face or body (hello, chest and back acne). Safe for daily use and great for sensitive skin that doesn’t tolerate harsh acne products.
Why it works — key ingredients:
- Salicylic Acid – Gently exfoliates inside the pores to clear congestion and prevent breakouts
- Sulfur – Targets acne-causing bacteria while reducing excess oil
- Kaolin Clay – Absorbs oil and impurities without overdrying
- Eucalyptus Oil – Helps purify the skin and calm inflammation
Bonus: It’s fragrance-free, travel-friendly, and a longtime favorite from PCA Skin for a reason.
