Finishing Strong

Recently I have been struggling. Not with grades or my students or with my decision to complete the program. Rather, I have been struggling with self-care. This past week there were two major tests (the National Counselor Exam and our program's comprehensive exam) and in the next weeks prior to graduation I have visits/interviews, mock interviews with my peers, and all of the paperwork for the program due. Let's just say I got so overwhelmed today I had to take a nap.

In the past week I realized that the complete disarray of my room is a clear sign of stress but even more indicative is my lack of patience. While I usually have a high tolerance for statements I disagree with, this past week has resulted in me snapping at more of my peers than I care to admit.

So what is the point of all the above? Perhaps it's a little bit to get it off my chest but more likely it is to serve as transition for understanding what I am doing about it. As I've developed through this program, I realized that my passion lies in creating new things. I'll have to take a break from creating new events for at least a month (because April burnt me out on that), but that creation needs to be present in my life. Most recently I have been pondering what thank you and graduation gifts I could create. This means I get to test out varying techniques to personalize items through art. So far, the front-runner is mugs decorated with nail polish or sharpie art.

The main point is, in whatever you are doing, I hope you find passion. And when the passion is not there, I hope you find an outlet where you can come alive. This experience has taught me that the only way to finish strong is to take care of yourself.

It Happened! I've been Published!

The article I was working on (with lots of support from my academic adviser) was accepted! Then it was reviewed and edited (multiple times), resubmitted, and finally published!

Here is the final article:  Solution-Focused Dreams: The Disney Approach to School Counseling - VISTAS Online

As someone who grew up with Disney films, I learned that you have to follow your dreams. And while your dreams may take work (and sometimes lots of it), that is part of what makes them worthwhile. This experience goes into the category "Things I'll remember because I did something for them." In fact, that's where a lot of my accomplishments go. I don't think its a personal accomplishment to get dressed in the morning, but that's because I am blessed and privileged to have clothes, be able-bodied, and not live with a daily battle for my mental health. However, if I had one fewer privilege, getting dressed may well be a personal accomplishment.

I have been blessed and honored to have the life I have lived so far. I am excited to continue to inform you of the journey!