Am Not Coping

@Faith-and-Hope You have talked before about your Mum and how much of who you are was learnt from her. Those early years are so crucial in any child's development. If you have been shown love and support then your core values and attributes are set up for life. It seems that you also 'picked up' resilience which has also been crucial in moulding the type of person you are.

What did you study at uni?

@Faith-and-Hope

That does not surprise me at all - I would have thrown History in there also

You would be such a wonderful teacher - so much patience, knowledge and being so caring. I really hope you can complete your studies one day and I could quite easily see you working with kids to help them express themselves through Art. What a difference you would make to so many

I will really miss my Art teaching days when I do eventually (I hope) go back. It was my favourite day of the week! I still loved the classroom teaching but if I had to choose I would take Art every day of the week.

I took four years to complete my first degree (3 yr degree) - and then only just got there - due to circumstances ... Then I did a Graduate Diploma which I really struggled to complete (circumstances still ongoing...)

I didn't do my Teaching Degree until I was 30 and barely made it through that (more circumstances...) but did manage to complete all my pracs and course work and did really well. I really don't know how though!!!!

I love teaching but not sure if I am going to be able to go back to it. Really not sure in the long term if I am going to be able to deal with the stress and the pressures of the job.

Try not to worry about things that are not here yet @Zoe7 .... you said several times there that you just scraped through, owing to circumstances, and you didn't know how you got there .... I think you will be saying that a few more times yet .... made it through ... don't know how ....

It sounds like you have an outstanding gp and an outstanding psychologist, both of whom have gone way out of their way to help support you .... that speaks volumes about you .... and them .... what a blessing you have there ... ❣

Blessings are created to be shared ... that's the nature of them ..... they have a flow-on effect. There will be other blessings ahead of you ....

Tonight, it's about getting through tonight, and I am so pleased to have your company.

❤️

@Faith-and-Hope That may be true but I have never been this bad for this long. There have been a lot of factors in play here and one of those has definitely been the issue of returning to work. I'm just so unsure whether I really want to go back. It is a really hard job at the best of times and maybe I need to consider doing something else that will not add to the pressures I place on myself.

I do have an amazing GP and my psychologist is fantastic also. Sometimes I think they are pulling in opposite directions re: work but I tend to lean very heavily on the side of my GP - I see her so often and she calls or texts every other day so she certainly knows me very well - and I really trust her, which is so important. I am really grateful that she is dealing with all the paperwork, referrals and phone calls for me. Basically she does everything and then letsme know how things are progressing and what the outcomes are. Definitely above and beyond ...

As always, I have enjoyed your company also and you have helped me get through the night.Although I am really tired I do feel a little better. It does help to talk and take my mind off why I don't want to sleep!

It must be heading towards midnight there - are your family all settled and asleep yet?

Lol .... no ! Teens and 20-somethings are real night owls .... something goes a bit haywire with their body clock at this age and they stay up late, then try to sleep half the day away ....

Its actually an age bracket for strong brain development, so I think that is part of it .... needing lots of sleep, then feeling unsettled. Think they also have mild anxiety issues, owing to circumstances .....

Its close living here, so I find it hard to settle before they settle. Greeks tend to be night owls anyway .... lol .... not mine at the moment cos he's running a marathon every day ... :face_with_rolling_eyes:😏

Is it nearing dawn where you are ?

A niche position might come up for you @Zoe7, where teaching qualifications are desirable. Have you thought about being a home tutor,helping kids who are struggling with one-on-one programs ? Does Kumon operate in your area ? Could do a start-up of that ?

Just brainstorming a little bit .....

Aw @utopia

I am sorry about your teeth - I have had a lot pulled out and have upper and lower partial dentures - and the upper has been made with "slight irregularities"

I was just plain lucky with my dentist - I was his first patient and he let me have credit - I can't imagine what it's like to be completely stuck in the public system and have bad teeth

Also - not being given anything but OTC medication after having a tooth pulled - I had dental surgery just over a year ago - the root was impacted into the bone and that was excruciating - I found my Section 8 medication not enough for that and I feel sick in the stomach thinking what you have just been through - and still those teeth must ache and yeah - losing a front tooth is a major loss -

You must feel as if you can't win at times - aw - I am so sorry - I am sorry your mum needs stronger pain medication but I know she needs it

I will be thinking of you today - yeah - I know I have tried holding something spiritual in my mouth for toothache but I can tell you a home cure - something I have used in the past and that is cloves or clove oil - I think it's okay to tell you this because they are regular items you can cook with

This might be helpful if your teeth ache in the future - I care about my teeth - I still have enough left to eat on so the partial dentures are necessary but I can understand about hanging onto what you have left

I am groaning inside for you

Dec

Haven't heard of Kumon @Faith-and-Hope Will look it up!

I have always wanted to run a centre for kids based around enterprise. Mainly for those kids that just do not engage with the traditional school system but also for anyone who was interested. Having them make and sell their own products and learn the skills needed to be productive and worthwhile members in society - and generally keep out of trouble. Funding for that kind of project is so hard to get and I certainly couldn't do it without significant financial support.

The sun came up a couple of hours ago here. Toby and Cat have had their breakfast and are both asleep. I have to take Toby to the vet later so will try to get a couple of hours sleep before that. I really hope that there will be no operation this time. His usual vet is seeing him today and he knows her so it may be easier to have a look at his paw. The last time I took him in his vet was away and he had never seen the vet we saw. He is very friendly with everyone but I think he will be less scared with a familiar face.

Have my GP appointment after that so it will be a long afternoon.

Have you managed to do any more of your painting?

btw @Faith-and-Hope I love our (I'm claiming it also) new word 'circumstances...' - covers everything!!!

Kumon - http://au.kumonglobal.com/page.jsp?id=8094&version=au

Didn't get to more of my painting tonight, but I need to finish it tomorrow and send it with this cousin to the person I promised it to.

I will probably roll onto one I started on this trip that is not finished yet, now that I have actually picked up a paintbrush again .