A Little Anxious

Posted on July 28, 2022 by

44 Comments

My husband started back to work today. He’s been somewhat anxious most of this week and understandably so. It can be a tough transition from not working for a few months to going back to a firm, full schedule (not a complaint, just the truth).

I’ll head back on August 8th. I’m starting to feel it, the anxiety and the tension. It’s the knowing how insane the days are once we return, and then yet again, when students return 2 weeks later.

I’ll be starting year 22 as a teacher. I’m not worried about meeting my students or getting to know them (this is my favorite part!), but it’s the anticipation of the endless crazy days with too much to do and not enough time to do it.

We say we’ll do our best not to overwork, to make sure we take time out for ourselves. We reflect and make plans on how to eat healthy and stay mentally balanced. We mean well.

I’m grateful for this time off. With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, the time to rest cannot be more important. This past spring, I had to take a medical leave. I’m hoping I won’t have to do that again any time soon, but also, I need to be ok if it does happen (I’m not so good with this part!)

Anyway, I’m not sure what this post is about, but thanks for reading and listening.

I hope this week is going well for all of you! Peace, my friends -belle

Category: chronic illness, Daily Grind, WorkTags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

44 Comments on “A Little Anxious”

  1. Please try to be positive about your energy level and focus on helping your students. You will be just fine. 👍🏻😎

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Yes, a new adventure is right! Thank you! I’m always excited to meet all of the new faces and get to know each student as much as possible, individually. To me that’s the true joy. I know it maybe should be the teaching part, which it is that as well, but making the connections with young people, that’s super cool! Have a great day!

      Liked by 1 person

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  5. It seems to me this post is about naming what you want to focus on – for both of you. Which is incredibly powerful!

    As a parent who is so incredibly touched by ALL that educators give and the huge difference their touch makes, I am so grateful to you. And I also wish that it can be done it in a sustainable fashion with healthy boundaries so that you can continue to have a wonderful effect on so many young people. Sending that wish to you and your husband now.

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  6. I was always good about telling others to take care of themselves, but it took retirement to realize what a workaholic I’d become. Our intention to care for ourselves starts well, but it often disappears when the work reality of work sets in. I hope you have a healthy year. Try not to think about work too much and enjoy your last days of the break.

    Liked by 3 people

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    • Hi Pete, it’s tough to not go over the line of being a workaholic! I’m sure it’s this way in many professions, but it seems almost an expectation in education. Like you, I am a solid cheerleader for others to let things go, get to it tomorrow, leave work now! 🙂 But, like you said, when it comes to myself, my good intentions to do the same seem to melt away fairly quickly. I’m glad you’re enjoying retirement as it is well deserved! 🙂

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  7. Wishing you well this new school year. Sending good, healthy vibes your way. Praying you are able to maintain a healthy pace and stress level for your body. Enjoy the students!💚🦋💚

    Liked by 2 people

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      • No, you sound like a dedicated teacher. Too many teachers are stretched thin. Many have left the ranks the last three years prematurely- as in before they would have normally retired or much earlier than usual due to all they were asked to take on and the feeling they were being stretched to thin to the point they were jeopardising their physical or mental health. I know in New York they are having a hard time getting certified teachers to fill all the positions. The issues are usually not the students, but admin and additional ad ons beyond what has been normally expected and in some cases admin.

        Liked by 1 person

      • We’ve had many leaving in our district, too. I think the past 2 years with COVID have been very difficult for teachers and staff, overall. We are a very large district in Texas, but I think we’re still trying to fill about 800 teaching positions which is high at this point in the summer. I hope this year is better than the past few! Thanks for stopping by and your kind words. Have a good weekend!

        Liked by 1 person

  10. It is so weird to think that summer is essentially gone. I hope this school year goes well for you both. Just remember to take care of yourself.❤️🦋

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Hi Liza! I hope your summer is going well. We still need to do coffee soon! 🙂 Thank you for your kind words, but your young ladies are all awesome, and it was a privilege for sure! ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

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  13. Belle, all the very best to both you and your husband! I like what you said about looking to take five-six minutes each day to recharge the batteries through meditation. I also have found “power” in the simple act of just stepping away from my work area and getting outside for a few minutes. The priority is you and your health!

    Liked by 3 people

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    • We’ve been talking about what we can do. And like you said, just stepping out of the workspace can help a lot! Sometimes, I’ll walk the building if I have time during lunch just to get out of the classroom for new perspective. Thanks for the positive vibes! 🙂

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  14. I am actually going to take a week off which I haven’t done for too long, and I am anxious! Lol I think right now, with COVID still around, and life not back to any kind of normal yet- at least for me- it doesn’t take too much to make the apple cart wobble! Not that I think it will topple – just constantly adjusting

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  15. I try not to play the “when I was young” card too often, but it does amaze me how much teaching has changed since I was in school. In the 1950s, the role of a teacher was to teach. We had a school nurse to bandage up the wounds or take temperature, and a principle who would stare at us with eyes like bunsen burners when we were sent there for infractions like being late to class, but otherwise? All of the bureaucratic/administration functions that have been added on to provide employment for bureaucrats and administrations weren’t yet known.

    Teachers didn’t have unions; they had parent/teacher conferences. And if a teacher decided we weren’t applying ourselves, or paying attention? That note that went home to our parents was the kiss of death, because parents ALWAYS took the side of the teacher. I hope the spirit of those times can be part of your experience this year — because I sense you’re an excellent teacher!

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  16. Thank you for sharing!!.. perhaps it is the uncertainty that makes one nervous about what may be, like the athlete preparing for the next event, and once ” in the saddle”, calm settles in and the worry and anxiety goes away for the most part…. the start may be a bit shaky but I am sure that you will do fine and be an inspiration for the children as always… don’t let the fear of the disease rule the day, put it out of mind knowing you will deal with it should it return… 🙂

    Until we meet again..
    May the dreams you hold dearest
    Be those which come true
    May the kindness you spread
    Keep returning to you
    (Irish Saying)

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Hi Larry, thank you for always saying just the right things. I hadn’t thought of it this way before, like an athlete, but wow, it’s perfect. It’s getting over the first week or 2 back hurdle so to speak and then, all will be well like you said. I hope all is well in your neck of the woods! Take care!

      Liked by 1 person

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  17. I enjoyed reading this, again. It is interesting the things we feel comfortable saying on a blog and not saying. I hope the year goes well for both of us. I like how your readers have many viewpoints about teachers. In the end, we are the ones meeting the challenge head on. So stories we share and others we won’t.

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  18. Wow 22 years of teaching! That is incredible. I have often found that the anticipation is worse than the actuality. But it also sounds like you’re anticipating some positives like meeting your students so that’s very exciting! I am teaching my first full course this semester and I’m also excited to meet my students. Fortunately, I don’t have any anticipations inducing anxiety yet because I’m too naïve to know what to worry about yet… Take care of yourself!

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Hey there! Thanks for reading! I’m just having the normal anxiety about going from summer to a full schedule again. But I’m not complaining! 🙂 I love summers off. My first 10-12 years of teaching, I worked during the summers which was fine, too. I’m just spoiled now lol Congratulations on your first full course! When does it start up? That’s so exciting!

      Liked by 1 person

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