Dr. Tiffany Moon is best known for her role as a cast member on The Real Housewives of Dallas, but her journey extends far beyond the television screen. A skilled anesthesiologist, entrepreneur, and proud mother, Moon has spent her life balancing the demands of a high-pressure medical career with family and personal growth.
While TV and social media put her in the public eye, her latest work, Joy Prescriptions: How I Learned to Stop Chasing Perfection and Embrace Connection, to be released on May 6, 2025, offers a more intimate look at her path to embracing imperfection and living authentically.
In Joy Prescriptions, Moon opens up about the pressures of perfectionism and the societal expectations that often overshadow true fulfillment. "I was constantly trying to fill the void inside me with achievements, accolades, and accoutrements," she writes. "I thought, If I just work harder, I’ll be happier. If I worked hard enough and ran fast enough, perhaps I could outrun the loneliness and sense of worthlessness I felt." This raw exploration of self-worth and vulnerability provides readers with practical advice on how to let go of the need for perfection and instead, cultivate joy by prioritizing self-care, relationships, and authenticity.
LP: You open your book with a powerful story about your experience balancing career, motherhood, and personal life. Can you share with us how these early struggles shaped your approach to self-care and joy?
TM: Absolutely. In the beginning, I believed that self-care was for people with more time and less ambition. I was juggling twins, a full-time medical career, and pretending I had it all together. But underneath it all, I was exhausted and disconnected. It took hitting a personal wall to realize that joy isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity. Now, I see self-care as the foundation, not the reward. That means taking a step back from medicine (even though 3 days a week in the operating room isn’t a walk in the park), running my businesses, and spending more time with my family.
LP: Your journey reflects a deep internal battle between perfectionism and the desire for connection. How did you manage to let go of societal expectations, and what role did vulnerability play in this transformation?
TM: Letting go of perfectionism felt like peeling off layers of armor I didn’t even know I was wearing. I realized that performing for others — whether it was for approval, applause, or accolades — was costing me real connection. Vulnerability felt terrifying at first, but it’s what led me to my most meaningful relationships. It’s how I started truly feeling again.
LP: Throughout the book, you talk about embracing imperfection. What would you say to someone who feels stuck in the pursuit of perfection, especially in today's social media-driven world?
TM: Perfection is a façade — and honestly, it’s overrated. People don’t connect with your perfectly curated life; they connect with your truth, your struggles, and your resilience. If you’re feeling stuck chasing perfection, start by showing up exactly as you are. You’ll be surprised how much more relatable you become, and how much easier it is to find real connection when you let go of the need to be perfect.
LP: You mention finding your voice and living authentically. What were some of the obstacles you faced in this process, and how can others take the first steps toward living a more authentic life?
TM: The biggest obstacle? Me. I spent years being who I thought I should be — what medicine expected, what my culture expected, what my family wanted. The first step was noticing when I was editing myself to fit in. The second was choosing not to. Living authentically means getting quiet enough to hear your own voice — and brave enough to honor it.
LP: The idea of "joy prescriptions" is central to your book. Can you walk us through a few key "prescriptions" that have helped you cultivate a more intentional and joyful life?
TM: Absolutely! Here are a few of my go-tos:
- Say no without guilt or explanation.
- Asking for help is not a sign of weakness.
- Comparison is the thief of joy — let go of the cycle of comparison and despair.
- Dance in the kitchen. Even badly. Especially badly.
- Rest isn’t earned. It’s necessary.
LP: You touch on the impact of self-worth and how external achievements often don’t equate to inner fulfillment. How can people begin to measure their worth beyond career accomplishments or societal validation?
TM: Start by asking: “Who am I when I’m not performing?” That question rocked me. Our worth isn’t in what we do; it’s in who we are. And who we are when no one’s clapping — that’s the part that deserves the most love.
LP: Throughout your book, there are reflections on the pressures faced by women, particularly in balancing career and family life. What advice would you give to women today who are trying to juggle multiple roles?
TM: You don’t have to carry it all. You weren’t meant to carry it all. Let go of the pressure to be everything to everyone. Ask for help. Create boundaries. Say no without an apology. And remember, rest is productive. You can’t pour from an empty cup — and you’re not a failure for needing to refill it.
LP: As a mother, wife, and medical professional, you’ve clearly mastered many roles. How do you stay grounded and ensure you are present for the people and moments that truly matter?
TM: I stay grounded by constantly checking in with what truly matters to me and giving myself permission to focus on that. It’s easy to get swept up in roles, titles, and to-do lists, but presence isn’t something you find; it’s something you choose. I remind myself that the moments I’ll remember aren’t the ones where everything was perfect — they’re the ones where I was fully present.
LP: How do you now define success?
TM: Success, to me, is peace. It’s waking up and liking who I am — without the need to prove, perform or perfect. It’s when my outer life finally matches my inner values.
LP: As a reality TV personality and social media influencer, you’ve given audiences a glimpse into your life, but we all know there's more to the story than what viewers see on screen. What’s one thing most people don’t know about you that might surprise them, and how does that aspect of you influence your approach to living authentically and cultivating joy?
Most people don’t know I’m deeply introverted. I love people — but I need time alone to recharge. That quiet space is where I reflect, reset, and get really honest with myself. It’s what helps me stay grounded, even when the cameras are off and the noise dies down.
LP: What advice would you give to your younger self?
TM: You don’t have to earn love. You are already enough. Put down the gold stars and pick up your own joy.
LP: Looking back on your journey, what are the three most important life lessons you've learned that you hope readers will take away from Joy Prescriptions?
You are not your resume. Perfection is overrated. The joy is in the journey, not the destination.
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