It’s OK!
I’m in a few Facebook groups for speech. Dare I say, this can be a good thing and this can also be a bad thing? It’s good because you can feel like you have a virtual “collaborative team” to ask questions, give support, have a laugh, and generally feel less isolated if there aren’t many SLPs in your area.
It can also be bad when you’re trying to leave work at work. Social media is a reflex now for most people, that is we check and re-check and check again. I’ve seen posts about people dragging themselves to work sick, spending hours at home planning/writing reports, and maybe feeling a bit disheartened at the amount of stress our field sometimes involves.
I have to remind myself that…IT’S OK!
It’s OK to call in sick…we’re human, we get sick. The world will not implode if you’re not there. <– this one is hard for me too!
It’s OK to not be able to see your desk because you keep stacking working folders, post-its, papers, etc. on it.
It’s OK to just leave at the end of the day and not take any work home with you (unless you have something due the next day…)
It’s OK to hate progress report time…not because you don’t love writing how much progress your students have made, but because excuse me, where do I find the extra hours to write 65 of them?
It’s OK to come home, put up your feet and pour a small large glass of wine.
It’s OK to say “no work this weekend, I’m spending time with family and friends.”
It’s OK to admit you’re feeling burned out.
It’s OK to not be as bubbly and willing to help everyone else as you normally are.
It’s OK to take an actual lunch and real bathroom break <– I don’t know why, but I always end up profusely apologizing when I show up 5 minutes late to get kids because I HAD to go.
Just…IT’S OK!!!
LOVE this! I was just out sick for two days in a row last week, and that is so rare for me. Still not feeling great, but just can’t take any more time, as I’m already feeling so far behind.
Thanks Judy! I think we all need the reminder sometimes!! I do hope you feel better soon – but I also know that it’s SO HARD not to feel bad when we’re out!
Amen!!
Great post! I love the “HAD” to go! My teachers just know now 😉 I remind my fellow SLPs of this all the time! My motto is that at some point “it will all get done…EVENTUALLY!” 🙂 Thanks for the great reminder!
Right on!
The world will go on and it will be okay 🙂 That is a message I try to communicate with my CFs all the time- leave work at work and have a life for yourself, it’s much healthier!
IT IS OKAY! I have to remind myself I am a human being first! When I take work home, stay late, freak out…it’s my choice! I can choose not to do those things and be okay with it!
I think I need to read this once per week! Thank you so much for reminding me that “it’s OK!”
I have to read it a lot too!! That’s why I wrote it down LOL!
“it’s okay” would make a lovely tattoo on the top of my left hand so I don’t forget
Was seriously injured a decade ago… Took 3 part-time folks to cover me. And guess what? No students died or regressed. And they missed me…I’m tired is sometimes a good enough reason. I still go in early and stay late, but only when I choose. Keep sharing this message!
I’m so sorry you were injured Sally!! Thanks for your message!