In need of some comfort today

[captainflash]

Today has been shit and I’ve hit a wall.
My profession has been ripped to shreds across the media this last fortnight and I’ve spent nearly every waking moment trying to put plans together, write risk assessments and reassure and soothe parents.

I’ve also spent the last couple of weeks preparing for a massive, life changing interview. I put my heart and soul into it and have gone through three really intensive days of interviewing (as well as doing my normal job) to get to the final two and not get it.

I want to see my mum for a cuddle so she can make me feel better. I want to see my partner of nearly four years and have him stroke my hair whilst I cry on his lap. I want to go out, drink cocktails and get drunk to forget the absolute shit I’ve been through. I am completely over lockdown today .

I can’t do any of that! Instead, I need an anonymous rant about how crap this all is!!
Any virtual would be much appreciated

Sending virtual and lots of virtual hugs

I’m sorry you’re having a bad time. Are you a teacher by any chance? I really appreciate all they’re doing to help our children. Unfortunately its a thankless task, but I am grateful for everything my children’s teachers have done for them.
If you’re a politician or a scientist, then my hat is off for you. I wouldn’t want to hazard a guess what is best for our country at this time.
This is an awful, awful time for all of us. The deprivation of contact with our loved ones, in a time of anxiety, stress and fear, is particularly cruel. I wish you strength for the days to come, for tonight, and aspirin for your first night out when we can put this all behind us.

I am appalled at the slating of teachers. I don't agree with it.

There's something SOOOOO much better waiting for you out there! Just wait and watch!! You've done so well till now and this is not the end... Just a slight bend in your journey

I am a teacher- senior leadership so been in charge of some big decisions. It’s not a ‘poor teachers’ thread though.

I’m more just really, really tired and pissed off today. I’ve worked so hard for it not to happen. And the comfort I want more than anything else, I can’t have. I just need a cuddle.

I’m trying to make do with a white chocolate Magnum!

I do a completely different (and far less useful) job than you so I can’t say I know exactly how you feel. I’ve been wfh since the beginning of lockdown. I am lucky to have a well paid, secure job and am being paid my full salary, so absolutely no complaints about that.

I’m working harder than usual, partly because of shit IT, etc and tasks are taking me longer to complete. I’m also finding it very stressful. We’ve had lots of complaints and negative/snide comments from customers, many of whom are expecting the usual service to be provided despite current circumstances. This makes me feel rubbish at times as we’re all really trying to go the extra mile when we can. A few weeks ago, for example, I drove 15 miles on a Sunday to obtain something from the workplace and then deliver it to a customer. I wore gloves and left the package in her garden. Not even a thank you.

As I said, I can’t put myself in your shoes as I’m not getting it in the neck as much as people in your profession are. However, I’m maybe getting a small fraction of what you’re experiencing and it’s adversely affecting me. So I can understand why you feel the way you do.

FWIW I think most ordinary people feel that you do a great job under difficult circumstances and are appalled at the way you’re being vilified by some.

I hope things improve for you soon.

Virtual and for you.

My husband works in a senior role in a child protection related area and has been working almost non stop since February dealing with Covid stuff. He is absolutely at breaking point, so I know just what you are going through.

Everybody he works with is just falling apart. I don’t know how much longer this can go on for as it is having such an awful toll on the mental health of everyone working on it. And then there is the impression that many others are just sat at home constantly complaining when everyone working on covid is doing their absolutely best and working ridiculously hard, often 7 days a week and late into the night.

I know it isn’t as good as from your mum, but here’s virtual hugs from a stranger ((()))

I hear you op.

I too have reached my limit this week.
Not in teaching but putting in 50-60 hours a week since March.

Unprecedented pressures, awful situations daily, goalposts moved, extreme risk taking, disregard for welfare and decisions from above changing our whole way of working from one day to the next.

This impacting on an entire workforce’s mental and physical wellbeing, we are completely at the mercy of these decision makers and yet...where are they? Nowhere, nowhere to be seen.

This week I am working my contracted hours, 35.
That’s it.
For a “break”.
Just this week, next week and the weeks thereafter I shall return to 50-60 hours again.

This week, I’m stepping out to be able to breath fresh air without the stench of covid.
I’m resetting my thoughts to allow the sunshine in banishing the darkness of covid.
I’m resting my body throwing off the weight that is covid.
This week I’m just being normal, I’m going to be me, a mum, a wife, a person shopping, pottering, cutting my grass, pegging out washing.
It’s been a very long time coming.