https://www.instagram.com/jennaececelia/p/DFY-dOGp9K_/ This blog is inspired by the viral poem by Jennae Cecelia. All over the internet, women have been reflecting on their journeys and after shedding my share of tears over other people’s pretty words I decided it was my turn. I met my younger self for coffee today.I wait for her at the door,ContinueContinue reading “I met my younger self for coffee”
Tag Archives: mental health
October Slide
For years, I’ve experienced an uptick in symptoms of my chronic conditions around this time of year, but I’ve never had a reason why. No reason for a decline in my mood or an increase in my hypermobile joints causing random pain. (Who knew, the “normal” amount of pain is none? Certainly not me…) NoContinueContinue reading “October Slide”
The Autism Show 2024 – Attending as an Autistic Educator
Last weekend marked my first time attending The Autism Show, a national exhibition for and about autism, associated with the National Autistic Society and in partnership with Brain in Hand. I wasn’t sure what to expect, aside from having visited ExCel London once before. I booked my ticket in my capacity as an educator, workingContinueContinue reading “The Autism Show 2024 – Attending as an Autistic Educator”
Where I’ve been, and where I’m going
In my last blog, I alluded to upcoming “momentous change” that I couldn’t yet divulge. Well, here I am on the other side of that change, ready to spill at least some of the tea (though plenty will remain in my cup for now.) In February, I resigned from my role as a class teacher.ContinueContinue reading “Where I’ve been, and where I’m going”
It can’t always be the same
Wind’s in the east, there’s a mist coming in, Like something is brewing and about to begin… Mary Poppins, 1964 Photo by Alax Matias on Pexels.com On the ice, when I’m supposed to be perfecting backward chassés, is not the time to start reflecting. But I can’t help myself. I’m not as focused as IContinueContinue reading “It can’t always be the same”
All the things I didn’t say
It’s been a long time since I’ve opened up my blog, especially with a view to writing something! Things are always so busy, and there are always so many demands on my time that writing in order to share it always lands at the very bottom of my priorities list. Still, there is a sizeableContinueContinue reading “All the things I didn’t say”
Does Anybody Have a Map?
I celebrated my twenty-fourth birthday a few days ago, and I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how strange a time this is: Covid aside, being at the crossover of early and mid-twenties is honestly bizarre! Some people are still studying, some are early in their careers, and some are lucky enough to be fairlyContinueContinue reading “Does Anybody Have a Map?”
Why I won’t be adding to my series revisiting my NQT year
Apologies for the clickbaity title! My very first blog, published on April 1st 2020, was as good a beginning to a blog by a teacher as I could have come up with. September was a fluffy, upbeat, optimistic account of that first month in the classroom, reflecting how I felt about it at the timeContinueContinue reading “Why I won’t be adding to my series revisiting my NQT year”
Holding out for a hero – Representation at just the right time
I’ve been totally obsessed with Vigil for its whole duration. It’s no secret that I love a good police procedural drama, with my past viewing history including Inspector Morse, Lewis, Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes, Sherlock, Death in Paradise and the first two series (so far) of Line of Duty. I was drawn intoContinueContinue reading “Holding out for a hero – Representation at just the right time”
When It’s Not “Just” Blue Monday
“Blue Monday” is the name given to the third Monday of the year, the day dubbed the most depressing on the entire calendar. In other words, it’s one of the few days of the year when it’s socially acceptable, cool, even, to use the word depression to describe how you’re feeling. For those of usContinueContinue reading “When It’s Not “Just” Blue Monday”
Don’t Call Me Fragile
This blog post has been a very long time coming. I’ve hesitated, paused, rethought and rewritten, always afraid that I would cause offence by publishing it. Because this post is going to call people out, and if I’ve written it right, it might make others uncomfortable with their own language choices around the subject ofContinueContinue reading “Don’t Call Me Fragile”
#DailyWritingChallenge – Compassion
Compassion is seeing a need for help, and helping; it is being thoughtful and kind; it is wanting to help, out of one’s own goodness. Teaching is a compassionate career. There’s no two ways about it: we devote our working lives to improving others, but if you spend any length of time in any school,ContinueContinue reading “#DailyWritingChallenge – Compassion”
#DailyWritingChallenge – Hope
Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darknessDesmond Tutu This week is Mental Health Awareness Week. While I think more is needed than conversation and awareness – perhaps, better access to healthcare, more acceptance of those with mental illness and less stigma around their being among us -ContinueContinue reading “#DailyWritingChallenge – Hope”
November
While this is an addition to my NQT series, it is equally an entry for the #DailyWritingChallenge, under the heading of ‘perseverance.’ November was a long, hard slog for me: not a month I will forget in a hurry for sure. I moved out of my parents’ house, for that first taste of independence andContinueContinue reading “November”
There’s no such thing as a Zero Day
Like many things, the concept of the ‘zero day’ stresses me out. For those who haven’t come across the phrase, a zero day is one during which you get absolutely nothing done, as a result of feeling mentally rubbish. When I first came across the idea, I was in a rough patch. I clung toContinueContinue reading “There’s no such thing as a Zero Day”
#DailyWritingChallenge – Emotions
While the prompt for today is ‘Emotions’, I could easily have titled this entry Everything is up in the air and it’s not much fun. Emotions are raw at the moment, and I’m sure that’s not just the case for me. But what is the case for me, is a huge shift in my emotionsContinueContinue reading “#DailyWritingChallenge – Emotions”
Seeking Sunshine
Social Media in the Coronavirus Lockdown I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with social media. On the one hand, it can be hugely anxiety-provoking, because it feeds that part of our brains that can’t help but compare us viciously to those around us. For example: “Oh my goodness, look how lovely she looks on thatContinueContinue reading “Seeking Sunshine”
One Quiet Teacher 