Sunday, October 30, 2022

My Backpack is HEAVY!

 My Backpack is Heavy!


I am not sure, but somehow I have evolved into a fixer…a problem solver. This role has spilled over into all of the life areas. Parent, Coordinator, Daughter, Aunt….


My job seems to be able to take on the problems and develop solutions. Going back to my Assistant Principal days I would tell my students:


“Coming to Ms. Page’s office doesn’t mean you are in trouble. It means we have to be problem solvers together and figure things out. Page’s Problem Solvers.”


It is such a great feeling identifying a need or situation and tackling it with creative solutions. I enjoy that.


Lately, I feel like a band aid. One that is supposed to stop a bleed out. I feel like the ship is sinking and I am using a teaspoon to empty the water.


The problems that need to be solved are hitting me over and over. I don’t have answers.


I do not have any solutions, answers, reasons and it sucks.


My job consists of supporting many elementary schools. I am walking in daily taking all of the problems and shoving them in my backpack. My family has tons going on and after phone calls I pack all of that into the suitcase. I am constantly holding my breath waiting to see what I need to take and pack as a mother.


And damn, this backpack is freaking heavy.


I am adding and adding, but nothing seems to be able to come out of the backpack.


And it is hard.So, so hard.


Someone close to me said, 

I am not your emotional sponge.


That was hard to hear, yet honest and vulnerable. I was using him to make room in my backpack. That isn’t fair. 


Yet, I am having a hard time. Such a hard time, carrying the backpack, climbing the mountain, out of water, blisters on my feet, etc..etc…



And it is so freaking heavy and hard.


But that is what we do, right? The problem solvers carry it, and carry it, and carry it. Our hearts just seem to keep making room. 


So here is to another week..another page…pick up the backpack and trudge on.


Saturday, October 8, 2022

I Need What?!

I Need What?!?!?


Talk about a life altering learning moment this week. On Wednesday I was taking a long walk to reset my brain. During these walks I enjoy listening to podcasts. Brene Brown’s Unlocking Us is back from summer break and the episode I chose featured the Gottman’s speaking on the Love Prescription. 


(I love Brene and the Gottman’s. If you have no idea what  I am speaking of please google ASAP.)


Cruising along on my walk and about 15 minutes into listening I am crying. Big, real tears just rolling on down. 


<---Walking, crying, staring at this view



This piece of the cast was on “giving and receiving love.” 


Julie Gottman’s voice, “sometimes folks have just as hard of a time receiving love as they do giving it.”


Pause and rewind right there…


“Sometimes folks have just as hard of a time receiving love as they do giving it.”

These people have gone through life acting as though they have no needs…so when someone suggests you need love your wall gets higher and thicker. 


Julie Gottman, you don’t know me….

How dare you suggest I need love.



Little louder for those in the back…


HOW DARE YOU TRY TO GIVE ME SOMETHING I DO NOT NEED?!


Julie goes on to discuss the feelings that arise when someone suggests they want to give you love because you have been pretty successful at hiding the particular need.


I relistened to that one-minute segment 7 times on my walk. 


That is me, my brain screams to me. 


THAT. IS. ME.


The last 15ish years of my life has been about understanding people. I was a therapist for Pete's sake. Why? Why am I just having this epiphany at 40 years old???


Nothing has worked..failed marriage, sporadic dating, yet my heart has never allowed me to think aloud or believe that I need love. 


I take care of myself, I am independent, I am strong willed, I am resilient.


Despite that I need love?


I need love?

I need it?


No longer a question in my mind.


I need love.


Period.


No longer a question but a statement. 


One I do not yet have the courage to say aloud, but that I am giving permission to sit in my heart and in my brain.


And learning that the  need is ok…


However, terrifying it is to no longer hide.


Yikes…


Here comes a page turner…big chapter..Happy Ending??? (Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves ;)


Crazy old lady

  Yesterday I was talking my coach at school and as the words were coming out of my mouth I realized... I have turned into a crazy old lady ...