Send 'smooth-sailing' sentiments to Spirit_Healer!

Yes, 5 sessions a week, @tyme . And they will even manage to accommodate my reduced working hours, too.

And yes, term and teaching began yesterday.

@NightFury I applied for and got into a Master's degree for a different career a few years ago. In the end, I wasn't ready to leave: I had just moved to a better school and was enjoying my work again. During my recent relapse, I was considering applying for a different Master's, but realised it would take more effort than staying in teaching, so I stayed. Especially since the commute to uni would take over an hour each way. I see continuing teaching as the path of least resistance. Also, it frustrates me that my memory isn't what it used to be.

Getting and staying well is certainly demanding my discipline! Sleep hygiene, exercise and diet have been really important for my recovery.

How'd you go today @Spirit_Healer @NightFury ?

I'm glad you have your own class but also reduced workload to accomodate your needs. Is it still a regular clearance from the doctor that you need @Spirit_Healer ?

The kids were chatty and excited to see their friends again @tyme @Spirit_Healer. They weren't too bad, we did lots of reminding them of the expectations and setting them up to hopefully have a good term.

The last three days have been good thanks, @tyme . One of my colleagues is away this week, so I've taken one of her classes yesterday and today. The kids seem to like me, which is a bonus.

Yes, medical letters for my workplace, when I want to increase my hours, and the professional registration body, to keep my registration.

I'm really grateful to my school leadership for their flexibility to make my graduated return to work possible.

@NightFury expectation reminders - good thinking! I'll do that for my new class next week.

Sounds amazing @Spirit_Healer . And you said you take year 9? Isn't that one of the most challenging year levels?

Most secondary teachers have a combination of year levels to make up their allotment/timetable. For example, last year I took 7, 10 and 11 for most of the year. The new class I'm taking is year 9. I do consider late 8 and early 9 to be most challenging, behaviourally. 11 and 12 are most challenging intellectually. @tyme

Good on you @Spirit_Healer . It's such a tough gig.

Hello @tyme @NightFury @MissGremlin @Shaz51

An update on me:

I had too much trouble with my cat, Marta, keeping me awake and then she learnt how to 'break out' of the laundry when I put her there at night. I ended up surrendering her for rehoming. 😪

And I found living on my own too lonely, even more so without Marta, so I've moved back in with my parents. My relationship with them is better than when I relapsed late last year. I think the break from them helped. It feels quite disorientating how my opinion of them changes so much when I relapse.

I am doing everything I can to recover and stay well so that I can make wise decisions and keep my job.

How are you all going? I hope that you all are well!

Wow @Spirit_Healer ,

That's a lot. How long had you had Marta for? I'm sorry you had to rehome her.

At the same time, I can see that you have now moved back in with your family which in a way it sounds like it's smoother. I know how much they have been wanting you to move back to them. Let's just say the break was good?

I guess they can cook for you and they enjoy that?

How's it all going for you? How's work?

Thanks for the reply, @tyme .

I had Marta for eight months, we got really comfortable with each other. After I gave her up, the unit wasn't the same any more, without her coming to greet me and rub on my legs. It felt emptier.

Work has been okay. I have an issue with repaying an overpayment (they overpaid me for weeks) and I think I'm being taxed unfairly, so I'm going to make an appointment with an accountant to try to sort that out.

The year 9 boys are being very difficult and it's exhausting standing my ground and setting boundaries, especially since I hate confrontation. They don't get to see my 'fun' side because half of what I say is to address their behaviour. And half the class is low literacy: they can't read and write. So I spent several weeks just reading or playing the audio book to them, in place of telling them to read it to themselves. And that left less time for them to build other skills like essay writing and class discussion around themes, etc.

Considering all that, I just need to reassure myself that I'm doing the best I can, and try not to get too disillusioned in the process.

Mum and Dad have been doing the shopping and meal prep, and then they go out for a walk and I cook or reheat whatever we need for dinner. I'm fine with doing this at their house, it's more familiar and I know where everything is.

Dad has been saying that the house is too big for just the two of them. But further down the track I'm hoping to find a partner, move in with them, and I don't want to bring them to my parents'.

*TW*

I have bad memories of conflict between Dad and Maternal Grandma when I was growing up. Sometimes, even as a child, I stepped up to protect and defend Grandma and Mum. And Dad can be difficult, even without Grandma around any more. I still suspect he has ASD. He can't understand social norms and this impacts on his relationships with others.

On a more positive note, I finally returned to salsa and bachata dancing in August. It was my psychologist who encouraged me. The enjoyment was worth the disruption caused by the late night. I hope to go again soon.

@NightFury thinking of you and your work, too.