How I put my crystals to work everyday!

Tumbles in Scrubs: The Secret Superpower of a Theatre Nurse (Karen's Story!)

Ah, life as a theatre nurse - it’s fast, intense, and requires focus that a ninja would envy. And no-one knows this better than I do, with my trusty sidekicks in the form of little crystal tumbles, who accompany me through every high-stakes, high-stress shift.

But let’s back up a bit and start from the top. My day begins with a ritual that’s as essential as my morning coffee and just as full of magical energy. Picture me, bleary-eyed and gathering my “work horses” (aka tumbles) in my hand. I close my eyes, whisper a silent “I’ll need you today, little guys,” and give them a quick, powerful breath. It’s as if I’m breathing my own intention into them, charging them up with energy that I’ll need in spades. These little gems get the royal treatment before nestling into either my scrubs pocket or - on especially nerve-wracking days - inside my bra. They’re ready to surround me with calm, love, and a steady hand in the face of surgical chaos.

Throughout the day, my tumbles are right there with me, offering their quiet support. It sounds a bit woo-woo, but honestly, there’s a whole vibe to it that gets me through. When a surgery gets tense, or I’m managing three things at once, I give a little internal nod to my stones, asking for some extra steadiness. I swear, it’s like I can feel them giving me that extra nudge, grounding me just enough to stay cool under pressure.

But let’s talk about the inevitable mishaps. You see, even the best-laid scrubs can’t always keep a smooth tumble from going rogue. Picture it: I’m mid-surgery, things are intense, and suddenly, plonk! A little crystal of mine has decided it wants some freedom and tumbles right out onto the floor. Cue the looks from my colleagues. Now, they know about my tumble habit. They know it’s my little way of balancing the hospital’s hectic energy, so instead of raising eyebrows, they give a chuckle and carefully scoop it up. My kind-hearted colleagues have a whole process - they’ll tuck the stone in a tissue cradle and place it in my locker, giving it the safe haven it deserves until my next break. They’ve even been known to pat it gently, like a lost pet returned home. It’s a small but loving gesture that tells me they get it. They really get it.

By now, my tumble habit has become a bit of a department quirk. My coworkers even have a little competition going to see who can spot one first if it decides to take a dive mid-shift. “Got another jumper!” someone will announce with a laugh, and we all know it’s one of mine trying to make a break for it.

So yes, life as a theatre nurse is chaotic, challenging, and sometimes downright stressful. But with my faithful tumbles by my side, I always feel just a little bit steadier, a bit more grounded. It’s a ritual that reminds me of the power of intention and that sometimes, the tiniest things can make the biggest difference - especially when they’re snuggled into your pocket or tucked inside your bra!