From The Universe

Introduce yourself!
Hi there! I’m Adlin, and I’m 29 this year. Aside from my job as a critical care registered nurse, I like to appreciate arts on the side by going to the theatre, attending gigs, reading books, etc.

Wow, healthcare is a pretty intense field to be in! What was it that drew you to this career, and what is it that keeps you going?
Being a nurse wasn’t something I explicitly set out to do, but rather something that worked out in my best favour.

Like every other impressionable 19 year old girl, I thought I wanted to do something noble like pursue medicine (laughs) but looking back, I think being a nurse is a better fit for me. Deciding to specialise in critical care allows me to empower my patients while still be able able to bounce ideas off of the healthcare team. I’ve grown to love working with my wonderful team and unit, together with my allied health professionals and my doctors, so I wouldn’t have it any other way!

What’s the toughest part of your job? And likewise, what’s the most fulfilling part about it?
Toughest: learning how to gently let go of my patients when we’ve done our best but it still feels like it’s not enough.

Most fulfilling: having my patients walk out of the ICU! And having their families thank us for standing by the hardest days of their lives.

We can’t imagine the rollercoaster of emotions you go through every day. As we enter this new year, what’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt in 2025?
That being kind always pays off! I’ve learnt to expand love and grace because I never saw a lack of it in 2025—the universe always gives back the same energy.

We agree! In a similar vein, what’s your fondest memory from 2025?
Oh wow, this is hard! Honestly, I feet like I didn’t do anything exciting last year, but I did learn to take spend more time with my parents—in my daily hustle, I sometimes forget that they’re ageing too.

So true, when life gets hectic we often forget to slow down to spend time with the people who truly matter. On that note, what are some goals or aspirations you have for the new year?
I guess I’d like to pick up rock climbing again (laughs). I’ve always mused that I’d like to get back into climbing but I’ve just been procrastinating.

Well, let this be your sign to get back into it then! Going back to what you mentioned about being kind, that’s exactly how your good friend Grace described you when we spoke with her. Can you tell us more about your friendship and what you appreciate most about her?
I really love her kindness and empathy! In my many years of knowing her, I’ve never seen Grace throw a fit before (like, really). She always sees the best in others and reminds me to do the same.

We love how sweet and genuine your friendship with her is! Finally, what’s one quote or piece of advice that you live by?
There are so many to choose from (laughs)! I feel like I try to embody a different type of energy every day, but if I had to pick just one, I’ll always come back to the poem In Blackwater Woods by Mary Oliver:

“To live in this world

you must be able
to do three things:
to love what is mortal;
to hold it

against your bones knowing
your own life depends on it;
and, when the time comes to let it go,
to let it go.”