I Just Don’t Know.

I know I’m NOT ok. I am struggling. I just watched another group of students move on as a teacher in a school district that’s being ground into mediocrity by a state bent on turning education into a profitable business. I live in the richest country in the world, yet I struggle while watching friends, neighbors, and colleagues sicken, struggle, starve, and die while we have the resources (physical, legal, etc) to help them. People who work HARD.

I feel hopeless and alone. Tired and rung dry. I never have enough money, time, or spoons.

BUT I PERSEVERE, AND SO SHOULD YOU!

I won’t say you will be happier soon or that everything will get better. I am not going to tell you it will be ok or make false promises.

BUT

Hear me out.

Don’t rush. Take time to think about what you want to do. Don’t hold unrealistic expectations for making a situation better or for some sort of miracle, but also, don’t let others misuse or abuse you OR your feelings.

Change is, sadly, usually slow. Give it and yourself time. Be a better person.

BE KIND TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS.

BE KIND TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS.

BE KIND TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS.

DO NOT be a bigot! Accept that MOST other people will have different beliefs and priorities than you, and that is ok.

BE KIND TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS.

And when you have the means and spoons to fight for other? FIGHT FOR OTHERS! CARE for others!

And again, do NOT allow yourself or others to be used or abused, BUT BE KIND TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS.

Seriously, y’all, I have taught for 17 years in a variety of settings ranging from elementary to high school and general ed to SPED to tech, AND I deal with personal mental health/physical stuff. This is the best thing I could tell anyone –

BE KIND TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS!

Someone or something cares about you. It may be your offspring, partner, parent, pet, or plant, but they care. Maybe they only rely on you to survive, but still, someone/something needs you and cares if you are still here.

If you truly think you don’t have that? Work to find it.

START BY BEING KIND TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS.

No, it probably won’t be easy. Statistically, it WILL be difficult, but building and maintaining a community will save you when nothing else can. I am SO GRATEFUL EVERYDAY to the communities I’m part of. I cannot even put it into words.

Just remember, you CANNOT control the world or those around you.

You CANNOT control how you FEEL.

Feeling are what they are. Accept them, process them (with help if needed and/or able to obtain it), and DEAL with your feelings.

Do NOT use your feelings as excuses for terrible behavior. If you don’t know how to handle something, LEARN.

You CAN control your actions- especially how you speak to and behave towards others.

Yes, you may need professional help and possibly medication. Maybe it is difficult or even impossible for you to get the help or medication you need. Do your best. Accept that not everyone may be able to offer you the kindness you offer them. Let it go. Move on.

TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY AND APOLOGIZE (when appropriate).

BE KIND TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS.

LET IT GO. MOVE ON.

Life keeps going. Try not to get stuck.



If you treat others with kindness and proceed thoughtfully, then you don’t need to hold the weight of others’ suffering in your heart (or in your head). You can only control what you can control, and you can only help what you can help. Do your best.

BE KIND TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS.