When’s School?

Anyone else struggling to figure out when school is? Let’s back that up, who knows what day of the week it is? Yeah, I’m struggling too with that one. It’s hard to believe that the summer is essentially over and we are gearing up for one hell of a weird school year. Strangest of all, there are still plenty of school supplies at the store. So when’s school starting?

The End of Summer?

Shockingly, it is the end of summer and August is quickly coming to a close. But it doesn’t feel like it, at least to me and a handful of others. I think that is because we’ve missed a lot of our traditional markers that tell us how soon it is until school starts. The first being the close to the past school year. Most kids went on spring break- and then break just seemed to keep going. The close to the past school year didn’t feel like school had ended in June for most. And has left us with a strange grieving process. This is especially true to our graduating class, who are now struggling with the bigger loss of a traditional college experience.

Then we missed all the parades that happen through the end of July. And the Fourth of July. While yes, we celebrated in our own way there was still a strange stillness to everything as most places didn’t seem to be doing fireworks. There were some, but it seems that a majority of people didn’t have the traditional experience that we are all so accustomed to.

And now, that brings us to the final marker of the end of summer. Our beloved State Fair. A place where food seems to be the biggest highlight and most people’s only reason to go. For most families it’s a family tradition, or the last hurrah before we have to go back to school routines, homework, sports, and everything else that is fall related.

Because of missing all of this, it doesn’t really seem to be the end of summer. And we’re all still in some form of grieving over the lost experiences that were cancelled, while piling on the new grief of what’s been lost for this school year.

The Chaos of School

Despite everyone’s best efforts, we barely know much about the start of the school year. Some are hybrid, some are online, others in-person. Oh, and what days are we supposed to bring kids to school? Most aren’t really sure yet and are just finding out with less than a week before Labor Day weekend. Then there are delays, to everything. There’s also not enough of essential at-home school supplies for some. But if you need a notebook or markers, there’s still plenty at the store…

All this last minute changes, and uncertainty is getting to everyone. And there is one other common theme that parents, middle school, and high school students keep bringing up. “How long until school and everything gets shut down again?” Given the events from March until present, and based on what is happening in other places around the country it’s a valid question.

Living in Limbo and the Stress

Since March we have been living in some sort of limbo because of all the unknown. Just like when we try something new we feel a little stressed and anxious because it’s unknown to us, we’ve had the same feelings since March. And living in the stress, anxiety, and uncertainty is exhausting. It’s kept us on edge for so long our poor nervous systems are shot, we’re crabbier, more tired, and have little tolerance for anything.

The stress from everything is getting to be too much. There are days when it’s all too much for me. The trick is learning how to recognize when it’s all getting to be too much so that we can decompress for a bit before diving back in. Let’s take a moment to notice our bodies and the sensations that we are feeling.

Noticing Your Stress

Close your eyes and take some slow, deep breaths. Much like you’re going to blow out birthday candles or a bunch of bubbles. Do this five times before moving on. Now, think about the last time you were stressed or overwhelmed and maybe you don’t have to think all that hard on the last time. Keep taking those deep breaths. Notice the different feelings and sensations within your body. Maybe there is a tightness in your neck or back. Perhaps your head is aching or there is tension.

These feelings and sensations are your cues that you are starting to feel overwhelmed and stressed. Ideally these are the cues to start doing something to reduce the stress and overwhelm. Understandably that’s not always possible, however you are going to want to do something to care for yourself before everything gets to be too much for you.

Take Care of Yourself

While at the start there may be some guilt about taking care of yourself when stressed or overwhelmed, but it will help in the long run. Especially since our kids can feel that tension and react in ways that cause more stress for us. Overall this will help in the long run in dealing with the stress and unpredictability of this upcoming school year. Whenever it’s supposed to start!

This article will also be posted at parasolwellness.com/blog/