The week of back to school, back to work, and the real world continues.
I picture the old “As The World Turns” opening–yes, I just referenced a soap opera. If anyone wants to talk General Hospital, I’m your gal.
Something that I’ve been taking for granted is the fact that I can breathe.
Sounds so odd, right?
I have been stressed out. A lot. There’s a lot going on with school, work, kids, family—-I know most of you are with me.
But all we need to do is just breathe.
Simple, right?
Last night I was working on some very last minute class prep. The night before classes started, and I wasn’t prepared—at.all. I was scrambling, I was trying to fit all of the right assignments in every weekly module I created for my online students.
And I was working so fast I thought I forgot to create information for one of my classes.
???
I was about to burst into tears. How could I prep another class when it was already past my bedtime and classes started today?
I just stopped what I was doing and started to take some deep breaths.
Breathing was key.
I was so worked up, I didn’t even realize the material for one course and another section could be copied.
I was stressed.
The Eclipse…
Kind of over it. It hasn’t even started, but I dread it.
I’m prepared, I guess. If you need me, I’ll be at my house in my sweats because I’m not about to venture out into the traffic and massive amounts of people. I’ll enjoy the comfort of my own home, thank you very much.
Stressful? Yes. Can I change or control it all? No. And that’s okay.
Will I be glad when it’s all over (the Eclipse)? You bet!
I realized that some of my stressors are not as big of a deal as I may think—when I look at Sam.
His job at the VA, working with other veterans, that’s a constant stress to be surrounded by triggers, memories, pressures of PTSD and TBI, it can add up.
But breathing—-it helps.
It’s hard at times to not stress out. We all have coping mechanisms that help. We all have ways of making the big things seem small.
Whatever you do, don’t forget to be calm and breathe. As simple as it sounds—don’t forget to breathe. Keep calm. Remember you aren’t alone. And everything will work out.
My enthusiasm for Eclipse glasses. Can we be done? And, the sweetest dog you ever did see.