"How do I support myself through massive burnout?" || Coaching Call with Sharon

Learn how to find fulfillment by setting up support in the moment, and outside of the moment, when it comes to burnout and overwhelm.

No matter what your career is, or season of life that you are in, you likely know what burnout feels like. In this coaching call, I navigate how to deal with burnout, including feeling all of the emotions involved and choosing a path that is fully in alignment with your unique values.

Sharon is a Progressor, just like you, and a special needs educator for over 25 years. She finds herself burned out in the classroom, feeling the mental and emotional stress from teaching through a pandemic and not feeling very fulfilled.

While you listen to this coaching call, you can consider what might be your own question, and then use the steps we take to breakdown your particular issue. Your takeaways will include physical, emotional, and mental tools to combat burnout.

About a few other things...

Reclaim your creative power and rediscover who you actually are! If you’re ready to come back home to yourself, to be able to say that you know who you are and what matters to you, take my foundation course, “Finding Me.” It’s OK that you’ve lost parts of yourself along the way; but as you learn to anchor back into who you are and align your life to what matters to you, you’ll find that you have more strength, more fulfilment, and more creativity to bring to your important roles and responsibilities.

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TRANSCRIPT

Monica: Sharon. Thanks for being willing to do this coaching call with me.

Sharon: It's my pleasure.

Monica: Well, I would love for you to give us a little introduction. Tell us about you.

Sharon: Sounds good. I've been an educator for many years. But more specifically the last 25 years in special education. I bring that up because it's very close to my heart. I am a mom with two grown children now. And our youngest son is Nicholas and he's a person with autism. And so it was through his journey I left general education and went into special ed and never looked back.

And we have our first little grandson who's two years old. Who's the joy of our life too. Yeah. And I love to work with kids, especially kids with special needs, and I love working with their parents. And I also enjoy teaching college students because I'm a part-time instructor for UMass global. And I work with graduate students who are getting their special ed credentials. So trying to get good people out there in the field, and it's such a shortage. We, we definitely need them. Yeah, we do. Yeah. I, you know, I, I'm a joyful person and I'm so happy to be here and just come with an open heart and ready to chat.

Monica: That's what I love about you. I love so much about you and I think we should say you're also a doctor, you've got your PhD and I think that's super cool. Just all that you've done to fulfill this passion and purpose in your life. And we're here to talk about that a little bit tonight.

So how about you tell us what's been going on and what you'd like to be coached on.

Sharon: Sounds good. I'm back in the classroom as a teacher and it's been a really. Valuable experience experiencing what it's like during COVID and just after COVID. And I have seen such a huge shift in the whole system. Probably not surprisingly. The last few years, I've really grown and developed as an individual, both, spiritually, physically, emotionally, and I'm loving that road on going down. And I'm finding that my day to day, I have to call it grind right now in the classroom, sucks that out of me. If you were to see me in the classroom, you would have no clue, you know, that I was seeing this, but but I feel like I don't quite like who I've become while I'm in the classroom right now, which is unusual for me.

I can feel it in my body, I can feel the stress, mental, emotional I'm many times close to tears, just out of frustration often. And I thought, well, okay, looking at right now, you know, for the rest of this year, how can I stop and find ways to be fulfilled in the moment in the classroom right now, during this very turbulent time,

I can look at other options for falli f I want to. I've done admin work in special education. And also, you know, early retirement is kind of knocking at the door sometime because you know, the grandbaby and all that, but bringing it back to the present, it's, it's just not a good feeling right now. I'm really stretching myself because there's a shortage of staffing.

So are my assistants in the classroom, you know, there's consistently somebody out. For whatever reason, which puts every, you know, puts us short in the classroom. Given the fact that I work with 12 students with autism, pretty intensive needs to o, TK through second grade. So it gets to be very, very taxing. And I always say you have to like be in really great shape and be able to run, you know, in a world of mine. But, as I get a little older each year that doesn't come as easily as it used to. So so just kind of feels like a ball of frustration emotions more than anything and would love to find some fulfillment in my day.

Monica: I'm just looking at everything you were saying. I like to write some notes down, you know, and just looking at how difficult this has been not only circumstantially, you know, you're, you're fighting, I wouldn't say a losing battle. That's that's harsh to say, but it might, it might feel like that right now.

Just, yeah. So circumstantially you're facing huge obstacles, in ways that you've never had, and you are an extremely experienced teacher, in ways that would try anybody, but also some internal shifts, internal competing needs and desires because you've had this passion for so long, you've devoted your life to it. It was a great source of fulfillment for so many years. And so it's that competing with how you are currently feeling about it.

Sharon: Exactly.

Monica: So to me, I think we can sum that up in one word and it's burnout.

Sharon: Yeah, great. Yep. Absolutely. With a capital B

Monica: and don't you think we can burn out on the best things?

Sharon: Absolutely. Absolutely.

Monica: So, so let me ask you when you're coming to the table here, is it easier for you to frame this discussion on how can I find a way to deal with this burnout now? Or is it more, how can this burnout inform me of my next steps for the coming year?

Sharon: Ooh, that's a great second part. I hadn't, you know, I hadn't thought of it in that way. It kind of feels like a little bit of both maybe. However, if I need to do something in the now just I helped carry me through the anger, but also take the experience like you just suggested as how that's going to leave me, you know, for next year, basically. But it does feel like something needs to kind of happen right now.

Monica: I agree with you. I mean, cause you're, you're still coming to this year and, and at least finishing that out so let's, let's do that, but let's also know on the table, we also have what's coming in the next year. And so we'll talk about just some things that you can have in mind as we're moving through now to help you with next year. So we'll, we'll make sure we come to that.

So let's start with just the fulfillment and the here and now. First I want you to just describe, like, what are the emotions going on for you? I know this might seem like, why are we talking about this? But there's going to be a purpose. You described feeling like you're almost in tears sometimes or frustrated. What else do you feel?

Sharon: I can, you know, feel like my stomach just tighten or my muscles just tighten. Somebody comes in and says, I have to leave at noon today. And so it's a feeling of like tears of frustration and just a real tightening in my body.

And I default to sometimes, "oh my gosh, I just can't do this anymore." And then find myself a little frustrated after that thinking, I don't want to go there. I don't want to have those thoughts. That's not where I want my thoughts to shift when I'm feeling that way.

Monica: Yeah, to me that feels kind of like despair.

Sharon: Yeah. Yeah. We know is new for me.

Monica: Yep. And the reason I'm bringing this up is because I just wanted to, like, if we can see what's going on, this is giving us information. OK on your, what your mind and your body is telling you about the here and now. And you already know why. So we don't have to dig into that as much.

It's it's staffing shortages, it's kids who did virtual learning for a long time coming back to school with extreme needs. Any other circumstances that relate to this that we haven't brought up yet?

Sharon: Well, the students that I work with are, are pretty involved. They would require someone with them at all times. And then just really meeting the individual needs of the students and stuff. You know might have had a tough bus ride on the way over and come in and just break down in tears.

And so there's a lot of emotions, both with students going on, which is normal. And then you know, just really trying to love and comfort and give them a safe place while teaching them. At the same time and establishing, helping them establish a few boundaries and, and things such as that.

Monica: Okay. So why are you describing that?

I mean, if you're looking at this with, even within your specialty, like, you know, this is dysregulation, right? Yes. Like you're just getting constant input. You're scanning the classroom constantly for issues. You're scanning your staffing. You're kind of in a fight or flight mode.

Sharon: That's a great way to put it. That's exactly right. And dysregulation, you're absolutely right. That like,

Monica: And you know, in order to help regulate these kids, You have to be feeling that way yourself regulated. Right. And, you know, I know this well, both as a former teacher, although I only did it for three years compared to your 30 plus, but also as a mom of special needs of two kids who really struggle with regulation.

 I want to back up here though, and just affirming you, that you are doing something that is heroic every day. Sharing like the, what you were doing is not only so heroic in every moment, but to do this day after day and year after year, it's incredible. How, how passionate and how good of a job you've done for so long.

And I just don't want you to get down this loop of blaming yourself for you being in a different space than you were even two years ago, and being able to stay your usual regulated self. Let's let's affirm how well you've done. And let's also affirm how understandable it is that you don't feel like your usual self in the classroom.

Sharon: Well, thank you. Because gosh, you know, I don't know that I've ever heard that really, you know, and it's a tough area of education to be in. And education in general is, is very challenging, especially now. So saying thank you.

Monica: I just want to, I want you to feel that in yourself because when you were describing your emotions earlier, I feel like there was one emotion or feeling that was left out.

And to me, it's guilt. It's almost like guilt over the conflict,

Sharon: RIght. It's not supposed to be that way. I that's not how I'm put together that's, you know Yeah. Why, why am I feeling this? Oh my gosh.

I feel bad for feeling this way. I feel, I wish I could be a little more patient with the adults in the classroom. But it's, and I may not vocalize it, but internally I just going on in my head, you know, the frustration and then sort of feeling guilty about how I feel. So definitely.

Monica: So that just takes you down a constant loop, I guess, spiral down, right?

Sharon: Yeah. Kind of daily, you know, I bring myself up when I come home and take care of myself then, and I can feel it starting, you know, as I'm approaching the parking lot. Who's going to be out today. Oh my gosh. You know?

Monica: Okay. So I feel like there are two paths we can go down in helping you with getting through this in ways that feel good, feel in alignment.

 And because, you know, even women who are listening, maybe they're not in the same career or position you are in right now, but they know what burnout feels like. You know, even with the best of things, even if the burnout is being with three little kids, you know, and, or burnt out in their own jobs and that loop, we just described of that self judgment, exacerbates that spiral down. It deepens it. So I want to talk about that, but the other path that I have, so one is one is to learn how to settle ourselves down with the self-judgment loop that comes up. So I want to talk about that, like in the moment, what can I do with this dysregulation, like judgment spiral. And then the other path I'm thinking of is how to have more support internally outside of school hours.

Sharon: Yes. Yes. Yes. That really feels good.

Monica: Okay. Which path would you like to start with?

Sharon: Maybe more support internal. Okay.

Monica: Outside of school or in the moment?

Sharon: In the moment in the moment.

Monica: Let's talk there. Okay. So we were able to identify some of the feelings as well as the thoughts, but if you're like me in the moment, Feeling the feelings. I'm not thinking the thoughts, I'm just experiencing the bodily sensations. I'm not even fully aware of those. Some people can queue in pretty easily to their emotions. Other people can cue in pretty easily to their thoughts or maybe easier, not easily. And other people cue in more easily to their bodies. So of those three, what is something that would be easier for you in the moment to track for yourself? Is it like the bodily sensations of like the racing heart or like the clenching or is it the feeling or thought they all work together? Obviously?

Sharon: Yeah. Yeah. Probably the thought which then creates my bodily reactions so that yeah, reactive fight or flight that goes through my head in that moment.

Monica: Yeah. Can you cue in, into what is, what is often a thought that comes in? Is it the one you said earlier? I think was, I think I th I think I wrote down constant vigilance from Harry Potter instead of the thought you said, but it was like, can I do this? Like, or I can't do this.

Sharon: I can't do this anymore.

Monica: Okay. I can't do this anymore. Okay. That's really good that we can cue into that thought.

Sharon: I was just thinking it's more like, I just don't have my stamina to do this anymore. I don't have the stamina anymore, more mental and emotional, then physical, but. Yeah, it's a feeling of just total burnout. My mind's going, Ugh, I just can't do this anymore.

Monica: Yes. Yeah. And that's definitely despair for sure. Okay. So let's say that that happens a staff is not showing up that day and you are feeling those feelings, you're having those bodily sensations, but primarily you can hear that thought, "I can't do this anymore." I love talking to teachers because I don't have to teach you what this stuff means, but like brain, body connection, right?

Sharon: Totally.

Monica: That's where I would start with you is what is one thing you can do with your body? Okay. To slow down this whole loop of thoughts, like body reactions, feelings, but what's one thing we can do to kind of stop it. Is a hand on the heart as it, a deep breath. Is it, is it like standing as stretching? Like, is there something you could do with your body that wouldn't feel too weird for you to stop the cycle.

I think that's

Sharon: a wonderful idea. And it could be two of those things that you mentioned so easily as a deep breath, and maybe just hand to the heart. And as I'm thinking, you know, maybe too, it's just a walk to the adult bathroom, I'll go use the adult bathroom. And just walk back, because I think when those things occur, when I can do that, it's sort of. It brings me back to a better level of consciousness of what's going on. I think.

Monica: That's regulating, that movement.

Okay. Good. Let's say though, in the worst of moments, you can't walk, but ideally that's something you can do if you're not calming down, let's say it in the worst of moments you say like you have multiple kids who need you right then. Then you are short on staff. That thought comes in. I can't do this anymore.

Sharon: Yes, definitely. Okay. Deep breath.

Monica: And sometimes it might take a couple deep breaths, you know, but in the worst of times, it's just a one deep breath, hand on the heart.

This sounds so woo. Is, is, is maybe inserting a mantra here too. Yeah.

Sharon: Yeah. I'm all into that. Yep. Absolutely. Okay.

Monica: The thing I love about mantras is it sounds, it's like a positive affirmation, but it's, but it's done in a different way. It's used as a tool. It's a tool and it's very specific to the thing you are facing.

And it's also, it's grounded in truth. So we don't have to do Pollyanna here and say like, I have the best teacher in the world, you know, although you are, you know, but you don't have to go that route, but it can be something else that grounds you. It can be an I-statement of sorts.

Is there anything that naturally comes up for you? They like this would help me feel in control or at least like I have a choice. And maybe it's that "I have a choice."

I definitely what else?

Sharon: I just embrace the moment. Trying to think here. Yeah.

Monica: I know. Don't worry. Put this as a brainstorm. Yeah. Cause I can't do this anymore. What we're trying to combat is the despair. So how do you want to feel in these moments of pressing needs, lots of sensory input lack of support all the once. How do you want to feel in the face of that?

Sharon: More relaxed. Maybe even just stopping the chatter in my head.

Monica: Centered?

Sharon: Centered. Yes.

Monica: And the reason why I want to get clear about that is because despair is when we kind of keep with the rapid thoughts and then like the body, like hyperventilate, like whatever tense kind of things come up, it just kind of, so we want to find a mantra that helps you get centered or calm or feel balanced.

And I'm going to brainstorm with you too, but let's, let's, let's go back and forth on this a little bit. Cause sometimes it takes a bit of brainstorming to get there. I can embrace a moment. Could be one for sure. I am the right person for this room. I am the right person for this job.

Sharon: It's true. Yep. Yeah. I am making a difference.

Monica: Ooh. Yes. Yeah. I am making a difference. This work matters.

Sharon: This work matters. Great one

Monica: And then if we go back to some other things that help me feel calm, like I, I have what I need to serve these kids, or I am capable of serving these kids.

Sharon: Yes. And I have all the resources I need to serve these kids. I have the passion

Monica: Anything else coming up?

Sharon: All is good. Mm.

Yeah. All is good.

All is good within me.

Monica: Woo. Okay. Of these, what makes you feel calm?

Sharon: Definitely the last one. And I am making a difference. Okay. So those two really speak to me, I think.

Monica: And I think because what it's doing is it's re-centering you and why you do this work and also helping you feel the calm you need to have the presence of mind to step in as the leader in this classroom. To choose the hard work because part of the despair is the feeling like you can't choose. Yes. You have no control over who's coming. What they're doing, how the kids are showing up. And it's a, it's a place of not control. Right.

Sharon: Right. And actually, honestly, we haven't had a principal all year either,

Monica: so, oh my gosh.

Sharon: You know, there's not even someone up at top you can go to.

Monica: So let's just do a quick check in then. Are you feeling okay up to this point?

Sharon: Yes. Really, really good. Yeah. And I just thinking back on the mantras, really I can already tell it just sort of touched my heart already, like, okay. Yeah. I can, I can see how I can visualize how that could make a difference for me in the classroom.

Monica: Here's another weird thing I'm going to tell you to do. Is after we get off this call, if you can spend even three minutes imagining you're in a scenario where those feelings are coming up and that thought is coming up, and I want you to practice the deep breath and the hand on the heart, and the mantra. And practice feeling calm and centered, and it's going to feel so weird.

And you're going to be like, kind of doing some brain loops on that. But practice it, if you can, at least once. And if you can, maybe it's a nightly thing for a little while. Cause as you know, Brain-body connection too, is you practicing outside the moment, ayour brain can be triggered and body and to doing it in the moment.

Sharon: And obviously it can, it's useful in other aspects of our daily lives to, you know, even outside of work. So definitely

Monica: Wonderful. Yeah.

 So we've got an in the moment one. So now what I'd like to do is just touch on fulfillment outside, because I feel like that might take a whole other coaching session because in and of itself, There's a lot of shoulds going on right after work. There's responsibilities.

There's other needs there's family. There's your grandchild. There's preparing for the next day, teaching is not a seven hour job.

Sharon: Right, right. Oh, you're so right. Oh my gosh.

Monica: So, here's what I just want you to think of. I want you to just have a framework for this outside of work, fulfillment time, and the framework to me, goes back to the feelings.

How do you want to feel outside of your school hours in order to feel like yourself really? How do you want to feel?

Sharon: I would like to feel more energized and this isn't really a feeling. Maybe if I say it, we can figure out a feeling, but it was still like, there's just not enough time, but when I leave school and get home for basically fulfillment, you know, I just I'm pretty tired.

Monica: So like rushed? Stretch thin?

Sharon: Yeah.

Monica: Okay. And so to replace those things, you want to feel energized and.

Sharon: Like to have more time, but that's not really a feeling

Monica: maybe present, maybe

Sharon: present. Yeah. Less tired.

Monica: So what we want to think of are, what are some things you could do that would help you feel energized and present?

Are there any that come to mind that might already fit the bill?

Sharon: Yeah. Oh, good. 20 minute workout would do that.

Monica: Yes. But you're already, you know, tired. Right. So that's the hard part.

Sharon: Yeah. But, but, you know, Like, for example, today, I noticed when I got out of the car, my goodness, it was beautiful out. And I do lots of walking on the weekends and holidays and all that. But the Monday through Friday is a little tougher just because of the way I'm feeling.

And I thought I had, you could steal a 20 minute walk in right now, you know, you know, and I'm like, yes, but yeah, I was going to say, I didn't not do it. No. No. Anyway, but yeah, right to mind. Because when I do, you know, I think I even wrote it on Facebook recently, something I had done, I threw in an extra workout this week and that was like new and it was fun and it was great.

Yeah. I feel so good afterwards.

Monica: Okay, well, that's good. And I, what I love about this is you already gave yourself the version you can do without it having to be a huge production. A walk. All you have to do is you can walk on the same clothes you're in really. That's true.

And put on. I mean, maybe I felt like I were orthopedic shoes as a teacher because I had to, maybe you could wear the same ones or maybe you want to switch over. Okay. That's that's good to know. What else helps you feel energized and present or, or present does it have to be and.

Sharon: I think also reading as opposed to going on the iPad and watching something.

Yes. I love to read, but I get stuck on. Oh tonight, I'll just, you know, I want to catch up on this series or something like that. And a reading camls me a lot because it's quiet and I can escape in my thoughts when I read.

Monica: Fantastic. Yeah. Okay. Anything else? And if not, that's okay. But I like to have a whole little list to look at,

Sharon: you know, of course, showering or taking a bath or something like that.

Monica: So, what I love is a lot of this is doable. Okay. So right now we have a wish the wishes during this fulfillment time is I wish I could feel more energized and present. The outcome we want is for you to have one of these things that becomes a habit after work, whether it's a 20 minute workout or a short reading session or a shower, or just like a walk every day,. We want a habit, right?

So we have some ideas on what that habit could be. But I now want to talk about what are the obstacles. That are getting in the way.

Sharon: Probably just thoughts

Monica: you did that today, right? With the walk you said, but, but, but, but what was after that?

Sharon: But I think I need to go in and take a little rest before I talked to Monica tonight.

Monica: Well, maybe that one was you actually getting present.

Sharon: True. That's very true. Yeah. That's very true.

Monica: On a typical day, then what would, what would prevent you from taking care of yourself in this small way?

Sharon: I'm so tired and burned out from the day at work. I just can't do anything.

Monica: Hey, exhaustion, what do you, what do you typically do when you come in the door?

Sharon: Tidy up a little bit in the kitchen, feed the cat and then visit with the neighborhood cats. Yes. They all love me. Yeah. They've all over the place. But then usually usually I'm on my computer with some work stuff. And at the same time, thinking about dinner Checking in with my husband. See what time he'll be home. And by the time all that's said and done, I'm pretty beat by seven.

Monica: Yeah. Yeah. And I would be, I know you get up like at five, so you should be beat. Let me ask you a question. Is there a way for you to not have to go to your computer? Or do those things have to be done no matter what?

Sharon: No. There, no, the only time, I mean, I really need to do, go to my computer is if I'm doing teaching a night class. Okay. That has, that's a sense of fun for me too. You know, I like it. So it's, it's not like the day to day grind or, you know, I'm prepping for an IEP meeting, which is not all the time. So, so no, not necessarily.

Monica: And if you do have to do an IEP prep or you have to do something with like preparing for your class or getting it set up, is that something you could delay till a little bit later? Could, could it happen either right before, right after dinner?

Sharon: Oh, definitely. Yes. Okay. So it can be delayed a little bit. It can be delayed a little bit.

Monica: So this to me is a combination of exhaustion, but also weirdly you're not resting. Like you're, you're, you're just further using your energy, right? Yeah. The small amount that's there.

Sharon: Yeah, you're right.

Monica: Here's what we're going to do. We're going to come up with a plan. Awesome. Okay. And the, again, the whole outcome of this plan is for you to have an easy habit that helps you feel energized and present at the end of the day.

And when I say easy. I mean 10 minutes, we're going to start with five or 10 minutes. That's it. And with time you'll build a doable, definitely has to be doable. And the other thing it has to be so easy that you can do it on your worst of day. So that way it's always there. And I, I mean like a five minute walk around the block is your baseline.

I do that every day. I can just put my bags down, feed the cat. Cause I'm probably needs to happen, but I go immediately around the block or down the street and back. That's it.

Sharon: That's it. Yeah. I love that.

Monica: Okay. That was an idea. I'm sorry. I, I, I shouldn't have just told you, but what would, what would work for you?

Sharon: You know, it's usually I go somewhere to do, you know, my, my workout for my walking, but you're right. I don't have to necessarily do that when it's just when I come home. And just maybe, like you said, just down the block. Usually turns into probably about 30 minutes. Cause I start to really enjoy it.

Yes. You know, but I also do I have a very cool app. And I know there's one, I use one, the one that you used as well, too, just to go and do some exercise at home. Yeah. But it's mostly just getting myself there to do it without excuses.

Monica: So, ideally this could be something like you go for a 10 minute walk as your warmup, and then you do a 20 minute workout when, when right when you come back, cause you already have the momentum going.

Sharon: Right. That's the key cause you're right. I would be very likely to do the work late, you know, the workout afterwards.

Monica: But, but here's the thing that's still the ideal for now. Eventually that could become your baseline habit. But at the beginning, your baseline needs to be lower than that. So that way, cause again, the biggest key to habit formation is consistency.

And now I'm teaching you all about habits. I'm sorry. I'm like overloading you. You there's way more to say on that, but having a baseline, the easiest way you can do something on the worst of days is what helps you maintain consistency. Because once you are consistent, then you can build. Very easily. But if you're going for broke, like tomorrow, let's say you, you do that whole thing and it feels good for one day or you can't even do it for one day, cause it's too much regardless the next day or the day after that or in two weeks, it's going to be too much.

Sharon: Yes. Great. Yeah.

Monica: So on your worst of days, we're going to say I'm going to go on a five minute walk. Okay. But here's, here's the trick. You have to limit yourself to just that baseline for the first one.

Okay. Because otherwise, if you're only thinking about the ideal, you're going to look at that five minute walk and say, what's the point?

Sharon: So true. Yeah, absolutely. It reminds me of scaffolding, you know? Yes.

Monica: Perfect. Yes. This will build, this will build, but in the beginning, you have to force yourself to only do the baseline. Because again, you're like hijacking your brain and you're saying, this is what we do. This is what we do now.

Sharon: Yes. Yes. It makes a lot of sense.

Monica: So does that sound doable for you? It does sound doable.

Sharon: Yeah. I'm kind of excited to try it.

Monica: So we're going to say when I'm done feeding the cat, because that does sound like something you need to do, then I'll take a five minute one. Does that sound right?

Sharon: Perfect. Yes.

Monica: Okay. That's it. And as your friend and like pseudo coach here, you can email me if you want for accountability, or even if you just want to email me and we can say, Hey, say I did this or this, this came up and I can help you through it.

Okay. I'd love to do that. Yeah. Okay, cool. So we've got. And then with time it will build to an ideal, like a whole 20 or 30 minute workout.

Sharon: Okay. Yes. Makes sense.

Monica: So listen, we've, we've talked about a lot of good things. We've talked about how to calm you down in the middle. We've we've talked about how to find more fulfillment and energy outside of the classroom. I want to coach you about all the other stuff, but here's what we're going to do instead of that, just because that will be more time-intensive and also, I don't think we're totally ready for this yet.

Sharon: Okay.

Monica: For the decisions that you need to make about your next year. What I, I just want to give you one word and it's curiosity.

Sharon: Ah, I love that. No judgments, just curiosity.

Monica: Just get curious in the moment, you can get curious with your job, you know, and just think like, how could I do this in a way that feels more enjoyable or good, but you can also get curious in the bigger picture.

What's another way for me to find the fulfillment I used to feel at work in other ways, what would it look like if I taught more classes with college, I wonder what semi-retirement could look like. Oh, I wonder what, like just curiosity.

Sharon: Okay. I love that

Monica: instead of making decisions out of fear and judgment. Right. Which I think you can easily do after 30 years of being devoted to such an amazing cause of getting down that judgment loop of like, you know, like how, how could I feel this way after I've worked so hard, I've done so much good. Just like that teacher that quit after a year.

Right, right. I don't know.

Sharon: Yeah. No, that sounds amazing. Just amazing. Okay. Curiosity. It's lovely to be heard. So thank you.

Monica: Well, this is great. I'm amazed by you, Sharon.

This has been a joy for me to reconnect with you. Yeah. Thank you for being willing to coach with me.

Sharon: My pleasure. Anytime.

Monica: And then this is so like I don't know if the word is hooky. Okay. If that's like, I can't pronounce it. I feel like I just know how to read it.