lIt’s Wednesday, but honestly, it feels like I’ve already lived a month inside this week.
I’ve been up since 4:00 AM, and the physical toll is real—I’ve got a splitting headache that just won't subside. You know that feeling when you could physically do with a whole day off just to catch up on the little things? That’s exactly where I am. I’m absolutely shattered.
But, as we all know, life doesn't pause just because you're tired. The workload is piled high; we’ve got accreditation demands coming out of our ears, and I’m currently flat out trying to wrap up the NCFE paperwork. It’s a race to get everything quality-assured and over the line.
The Life-Work Juggling Act
It’s not just the professional side of things, is it? I always say that work comes second to life, but we have to acknowledge that family life adds its own layer of pressure to the daily workload.
Between supporting Sarah with her mother and sorting out appointments—I’ve got to take Iris to the ENT department tomorrow—the diary is packed. It reminded me of a report I read recently by Mental Health UK, which highlighted that 'burnout' isn't just about the office; it's the cumulative weight of managing a home, health appointments, and a career simultaneously. We aren't just workers; we are logistical managers of our own lives.
Tonight, for instance, isn't for resting. I’m off to see Iris in a Shakespearean performance. It’ll be a bit of a mishmash of groups, I expect, but I’m looking forward to it. There’s something special about seeing your kids on stage, even if you are exhausted.
Finding the Professional ‘Buzz’
Despite the headache and the admin mountain, professionally, things are actually in a really good place. I have to remind myself of that.
I’m going to be repeating my presentation for another conference at the College soon. It’s a win-win: good for my professional development and great for the college’s reputation. It allows me to keep doing the outreach work I love, and I’m sure senior management is happy with the visibility.
Even today, amidst the fog of fatigue, I had a genuine win. I had a student in for a taster session, and they walked away feeling absolutely buzzing. I don’t think the two mocks could have gone any better. That positive experience—that spark—is exactly why we do this job. It’s easy to get bogged down in the paperwork, but seeing a student engaged reminds you of the purpose behind the pressure.
Getting Over the Line
So, what’s the plan? Survival, mostly.
After the Shakespeare performance, I’ve got a second shift of work to do tonight. I need to wrap up the current unit because next week is already looking manic. And, seemingly a glutton for punishment, I’m starting to sell books on Thursday, so I need to sort out a transport box for that.
I think the strategy is just to keep the head down and get it over the line. We push through the headache, enjoy the play, get the paperwork done, and hope for a slightly gentler start tomorrow.
We keep moving.
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