Am Not Coping

Could you manage it part time and do your own self care or art the rest of the time? Could you find a way to make that financially viable?

@Zoe7

I would need to do 4 days to be able to pay my mortgage etc. @Appleblossom and still do DBT the other day as well - so it would not leave me any time at all to recover. I think that is my biggest concern - I won't be able to physically or emotionally deal with it. I know I need to keep doing the DBT course as well as I can see the longterm benefits from it - just a bit hard for me to see it all fitting in and still be able to look after myself.

We are looking at starting in term 4 with 2 days a week to get back into work and then going to 4 by the end of the term - I suppose doing the 2 days will give me an idea of whether it is still a job I can do!

I've been sick with virus @Zoe7 It's sounds like you've been worried about getting too cold, & getting ill too.

No energy & low mood, always harder to be positive, when feeling yuk.

It's blowing a gale outside, so sorry to say I haven't been outside much today.

On a positive note, I did drive to MH support group (monthly meeting) yesterday, in the pouring rain.

Only one other person (apart from facilitator) turned up. It still had motivational value.

Adge

I believe you still would be great. @Zoe7 That the loss of good teachers because of stress is something Education depts need to address.

This month I was talking to an older teacher about the difficulties of getting work, as schools are becoming more like fast food chains in their hiring methods. In with the new grads at lowest wages. Its great to get the bright new energy into the classroom but dreadful for the lack of wisdom and deeper expertise.

Hmmmm

Apple is Cross ...

lol

Dont give up.

There will be a way forward.

I am loving reading Chris Frith "Making Up the Mind" atm ... and fiddling around on piano. Got my new Uggies on ...

Sorry you have been sick with a virus @Adge but you still made it to your support group so that is a great job. Only 2 turning up - that is indeed a disappointing turnout - if only 2 turned up to DBT I bet it would be the annoying ones that talk too much lol They are nice enough people but they have to comment on everything even if what they say doesn't actually relate to the discussion - that gets annoying.

I have managed to stay reasonably well this winter - a few aches and sniffles but not as sick as I have been on previous occasions - but there is still a fair bit of winter to get through so fingers crossed I don't pick up anything.

It has been a nice day here today but very cold - thank goodness the wind has stayed away!

@Zoe7 you also put your all into everything you do. You may be able to find ways to streamline the work, draw on previous activities and lesson plans etc, and get the kids to help / do a lot of the work in demonstrating, class monitors to set out materials and put them away, helping each other (group leaders) etc ....

When I was pregnant with my twins and threatening to miscarry, there was so much I had to suddenly stop doing for my older son who was still a baby himself. He had to climb up on chairs himself and I would tie him on to it with an apron at the table. I had to put the baby bath on the bathroom floor and fill it with a jug for him to sit in and bathe, and then empty the water out with a jug while sitting, getting him to tip the jugfuls into the sink ....

There may be ways to reduce the physical and mental workload involved, and be inventive and innovative.

Hi @Appleblossom @Adge .... 👋💕

Oh you new uggies came @Appleblossom - they are soooo comfortable

I am not giving up just yet - I think my trepidation is a result of my mental state still and the worries I have with functioning at all each day still - maybe in another couple of months I will feel more able to try for those couple of days a week - there is such a process to go through to return to work that that is stopping me presently also.

Schools hiring like fast food chains were this lovely older gentle teacher's words, not mine.

@Faith-and-Hope @Appleblossom @Adge I know the setback I had weeks ago with trying to contact the Principal and then HR ringing me instead was substantial - I lost a lot of confidence in trying to get back - I need to work out a way to get that out of my head and see what the process is that I need to follow to get back to work.

@Faith-and-Hope I have been away for nearly 2 years now and I suppose I think there is so much that I need to re-learn ...but maybe once I am there again it will all fall into place...