I love how this Flys in the face of "you just gotta push through" mentality. Our bodies speak, we just need to learn to listen! We could all save ourselves so much heartache.
Totally, Lee. And there's certainly a need to know what things are the right thing to push through and what is crossing the line. "Our bodies speak, we just need to learn to listen" is well put. Thank you for reading :)
Your paragraph on comparing what you felt to a swarm of wasps is so so so good. You write with such great visuals. I’ve read this like 10 times and I’m still left in shock afterwards.
Thank you sharing your burnout story. Reading it, I felt like I was experiencing it in your shoes first hand. And even though it I’m sad you went through this, I’m glad you left and found a silver lining and learned to recognize your limits with stressful situations. 💙
The way you captured this experience Sandra, wow! And also relatable. I feel like we hide so many of these feelings when it comes to burn out but it’s so real! Thank you for writing and sharing!
A gripping account of burnout Sandra. On a personal note, I’m drawn in by your vulnerability into an even deeper appreciation of you as a person, what you went through, and how you brought yourself to who you are now. On a professional note, I’m inspired by the skill of storytelling you inject, how the entire communication is launched and anchored by the real event of cutting yourself on your ID badge. It’s a relatively small moment in time, and a small moment at the beginning of the essay, but it brilliantly sets the stage for your article. Storytelling rules!
Sandra. This essay is the best illustration of anxiety and burnout at work I've ever read! Absolutely incredible. As someone who has more recently tried to listen to her body more and pay attention to the things that bring out those feelings of anxiety, this is such an important experience to share.
I have two favorite parts...
1. You acknowledge that it seems ridiculous to feel that level of anxiety working in an elementary school, but that the ridiculousness doesn't matter because it was your reality. It doesn't matter if it seems like the least stressful job on the planet, the fact remains it still makes you feel anxiety.
2. This part: "Butterflies in my stomach are too pretty of an image to describe the violent anxiety I felt; there wasn’t ever a gentle nervousness floating inside, it was wasps that invaded, pricked, and swarmed, and wouldn’t subside." It's always so difficult for me to adequately explain to people what my anxiety feels like and this is pretty spot on.
Whoa. This was amazing to read, Rychelle. I'm so happy to hear from someone who gets it. It's deeply validating to read this.
I feel like the closest parallel I can use to describe this kind of experience is an abuse situation with how people look at these kind of things with a "well, why didn't you leave?" type of confusion. But there's so much nuance that even I'm still learning to understand it all. You just can't get it unless you've been in it.
The most gripping journey with anxiety I've read. Could feel my stomach tightening as I read it. On one side, I'm sorry you had to go through this, on the other the lessons learned are probably invaluable to face, and listen, to whatever comes for you ahead. And most of all: happy you are better now!
Listening to your body and your head is so important, and this serves as a great reminder to always look inward for those signs.
Thank you for sharing this with us, it takes courage and I'm sure I, and many people, feel like they're not alone by reading this essay.
PS. On a less serious note, Transatlanticism just turned 20. Your first line made me think of asking you: do you think the glove compartment is accurately named?
I think they need to teach us more about the mind and body connection at a younger age--why isn't that a thing?!
Reading your comment felt so representative of you lol
Always thoughtful, endlessly supportive, and then I got to the last line and bursted out laughing--I can't believe I wrote that line and Title and Registration didn't pop into my head!
More importantly, how has it been 20 years?!!
My next essay will be on glove compartments, thank you for the inspiration.
P.S. It's always so uplifting to get your words of support here and each time you reach out, especially for a piece like this that felt so vulnerable. You are a gem, my friend.
Thanks for saying that, I'm blushing and want to harness that breakdown you did haha mostly: all deserved and sincere, it's a true pleasure reading what you write!
I love how this Flys in the face of "you just gotta push through" mentality. Our bodies speak, we just need to learn to listen! We could all save ourselves so much heartache.
Totally, Lee. And there's certainly a need to know what things are the right thing to push through and what is crossing the line. "Our bodies speak, we just need to learn to listen" is well put. Thank you for reading :)
...how have we not bonded on special ed yet...
I don't know! YOU TELL ME
Your paragraph on comparing what you felt to a swarm of wasps is so so so good. You write with such great visuals. I’ve read this like 10 times and I’m still left in shock afterwards.
Thank you sharing your burnout story. Reading it, I felt like I was experiencing it in your shoes first hand. And even though it I’m sad you went through this, I’m glad you left and found a silver lining and learned to recognize your limits with stressful situations. 💙
Thank you 🥲 💙
I'm glad too.
Thank you for this piece. ‘But now that I know better, I do better.’ 💕
Thank you for stopping by! <3
Beautiful piece Sandra! Thank you for sharing your gifts. Reading this made my day better :)
Thank you for letting me know that, Tommy! I'm assuming you read a lot of things, so that means a lot :)
Beautiful, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for helping! :)
The way you captured this experience Sandra, wow! And also relatable. I feel like we hide so many of these feelings when it comes to burn out but it’s so real! Thank you for writing and sharing!
The hiding is so real. :(
Thank you for reading, Goose!
A gripping account of burnout Sandra. On a personal note, I’m drawn in by your vulnerability into an even deeper appreciation of you as a person, what you went through, and how you brought yourself to who you are now. On a professional note, I’m inspired by the skill of storytelling you inject, how the entire communication is launched and anchored by the real event of cutting yourself on your ID badge. It’s a relatively small moment in time, and a small moment at the beginning of the essay, but it brilliantly sets the stage for your article. Storytelling rules!
That is super kind, sir. Thank you for receiving my vulnerability! I deeply appreciate that.
Oooh, and I love that you shared your thoughts on a professional level too!! Storytelling indeed rules, Rick.
Sandra. This essay is the best illustration of anxiety and burnout at work I've ever read! Absolutely incredible. As someone who has more recently tried to listen to her body more and pay attention to the things that bring out those feelings of anxiety, this is such an important experience to share.
I have two favorite parts...
1. You acknowledge that it seems ridiculous to feel that level of anxiety working in an elementary school, but that the ridiculousness doesn't matter because it was your reality. It doesn't matter if it seems like the least stressful job on the planet, the fact remains it still makes you feel anxiety.
2. This part: "Butterflies in my stomach are too pretty of an image to describe the violent anxiety I felt; there wasn’t ever a gentle nervousness floating inside, it was wasps that invaded, pricked, and swarmed, and wouldn’t subside." It's always so difficult for me to adequately explain to people what my anxiety feels like and this is pretty spot on.
Whoa. This was amazing to read, Rychelle. I'm so happy to hear from someone who gets it. It's deeply validating to read this.
I feel like the closest parallel I can use to describe this kind of experience is an abuse situation with how people look at these kind of things with a "well, why didn't you leave?" type of confusion. But there's so much nuance that even I'm still learning to understand it all. You just can't get it unless you've been in it.
Thank you for sharing this with me!!<3
That parallel is absolutely spot on! It's so easy to see the clear path if you're looking from the outside perspective.
Oh man, beautifully and accurately said.
The most gripping journey with anxiety I've read. Could feel my stomach tightening as I read it. On one side, I'm sorry you had to go through this, on the other the lessons learned are probably invaluable to face, and listen, to whatever comes for you ahead. And most of all: happy you are better now!
Listening to your body and your head is so important, and this serves as a great reminder to always look inward for those signs.
Thank you for sharing this with us, it takes courage and I'm sure I, and many people, feel like they're not alone by reading this essay.
PS. On a less serious note, Transatlanticism just turned 20. Your first line made me think of asking you: do you think the glove compartment is accurately named?
Inward and outward :)
I think they need to teach us more about the mind and body connection at a younger age--why isn't that a thing?!
Reading your comment felt so representative of you lol
Always thoughtful, endlessly supportive, and then I got to the last line and bursted out laughing--I can't believe I wrote that line and Title and Registration didn't pop into my head!
More importantly, how has it been 20 years?!!
My next essay will be on glove compartments, thank you for the inspiration.
P.S. It's always so uplifting to get your words of support here and each time you reach out, especially for a piece like this that felt so vulnerable. You are a gem, my friend.
Thanks for saying that, I'm blushing and want to harness that breakdown you did haha mostly: all deserved and sincere, it's a true pleasure reading what you write!
Eagerly expecting that glove compartment essay 🙌
Thank you for sharing this, Sandra. Loved the piece and loved the underlying message. Keep thriving on your path. We're all here rooting for you! :)
You're rooting for me? Silvio 🥲
(Is that bad?)
(no, it's sweet)
(phew) :)
(lol hi Silvio, thank you for stopping by)
😂