I’ll admit, this hasn’t been my best week ever. Far from it, actually. I’ve been feeling ill all week, but not to the point of needing to not be at work - just your run-of-the-mill under-the-weather type of feeling. Additionally, being understaffed has been trying over the past six months, and this week in particular felt like ten crammed into one. There is so much to do, and I am finding that my ability to be super human and make everything perfect is being challenged by the fact that I am actually regular human and only capable of so much.

I’ve been down a lot this week, and have had a crummy attitude overall. (sidenote: is that supposed to read, ‘crumby’? And if so, what does that even mean?) I’ve also noticed myself acting/reacting in ways that I don’t typically advocate others to do, and then beating myself up about it later. “Way to set a positive example, jerkface!” Like I said, not my best week.

Despite my high stress, upset stomach, and headache-y week, when I stop to really consider it, I actually have quite a few gems that should really stand out more this week. I’ve had three fantastic one-on-one chats with students past and present throughout the week that have reminded me of exactly why I do what I do, and why I care so much about it.

This morning, I met up with a student I worked with in the past who bought me a surprise coffee and shared a lot of wonderful things with me over our brief coffee date. She is such an impressive young woman, and has been through some very significant life experiences that have left her stronger than before, and I really enjoyed the chance to catch up and hear how things have been going lately. Additionally, one of my current students saw straight through my not-so-affective everything-is-fine mask today and sent me a wonderful email afterward to tell me how much I am appreciated - which totally and completely blew me away at the impeccable timing of the message.

I ended the day watching 75+ students meet for the first time, and move quickly into talking and laughing comfortably with each other in a little over an hour, and - thanks to my amazing supervisor’s perfect-as-always in-the-moment comments - I was able to take a step back and just enjoy the moment that was created for these students in part by my work.

I’ve committed this year to reflect on the purpose and meaning behind my job more frequently, and I am so blessed to have my supervisor (and best friend) help me stop for a moment and see the bigger picture. I guess it wasn’t such a bad week, after all.