Off Shift

We’re Padma and Tarun, or otherwise known as PT and TP—two docs who know firsthand how precious time together can be.

For seven years, we navigated a long-distance relationship while pursuing our medical training in different cities. Between medical school, masters degrees, residency, overnight shifts, and countless miles traveled, we became experts at making every visit count. Whether it was squeezing a weekend getaway into a few days off or planning a bucket-list vacation months in advance, every trip became an opportunity to reconnect and create lasting memories.

Now that we’re finally living in the same city, we’ve had to learn how to manage our time while having demanding careers. I’m an Emergency Medicine physician and Medical Education Fellow, and TP is a neurosurgery resident. Our schedules aren’t nine-to-five, in fact sometimes we work opposite schedules and the only time we see each other is in passing in our parking garage. But we’ve learned that a meaningful life isn’t built by waiting for the “perfect” time. It’s created by making the most of the time you have.

That’s the inspiration behind this blog.

Here, we share detailed travel itineraries, weekend escapes, and practical tips for maximizing your time. But you’ll also find the lessons we’ve learned throughout our medical journeys—from navigating residency and fellowship to balancing two demanding careers, pursuing opportunities for professional growth, and building a life that extends beyond the hospital walls.

Whether you’re looking for your next adventure, advice on growing your career, or simply inspiration to make the most of your days off, we hope this space helps you create a life that’s both professionally fulfilling and personally rewarding.

So come live life with us – off shift.