Middle-aged Maverick

Tag: inspiration

  • “Behave Yourself”

    5Ws Wednesday—What does it feel like…? I’ve been submitting essays to publications hoping to secure my first “yes”. I have a few that I’ve been rotating through for various magazines. One essay that I particularly like is the one that describes how it has felt for me to be so scared to say what I’m… →

  • “Something Good” Sunday—It’s My Life Now

    I go back to work tomorrow. After a solid two weeks off. I think this is the case for many people. And, like many people, I don’t want to go to work tomorrow. I’m going to have to start hard-core planning the summer program I supervise. Another one of the programs I supervise is going… →

  • Talk About it Tuesday—Friday, October 24, 1997

    I’m very slowly transcribing certain passages from 30 years worth of journals that I’ve written in and kept. In case you haven’t read my earlier posts, this is what I’m doing and why I’m doing it–Journaling for Mental Health: A 30-Year Journey I’m on volume number 5, I think. I’m about to finish filling up… →

  • Technically It’s Art

    The most expensive thing I ever bought for myself was a large tattoo that is nothing but blue flowers. The symbolism of the flowers and their specific color have meant the world to me as I have healed from trauma. They have helped me become who I am mean to be. →

  • Say What You Want to Say

    Mental illness doesn’t define you. Having a mental illness diagnosis does not change who you are. People need to know this. Also, using your voice is the best way share your struggles so that others will know that they aren’t alone. →

  • I Tried

    Remember back when I was counting down my favorite “teachable moments” earlier this year? It was my top 10 favorite moments from my teaching career. Remember “Greg” from Teachable Moment #9? His mother had reached out to me last year to catch up and I found out that she and her late husband had a… →

  • The Big M

    What motivates you? A very simple question today and yet, it makes me have many questions in response. The first of those questions is…motivates me for what? What motivates me to get out of bed in the morning? Easy. I have to pee. What motivates me to not get back in bed? I have to… →

  • Unexpected Helpers

    Just one more week! The youth program that I have been coordinating all summer will end next Thursday and I’m giddy with anticipation! I’m also exhausted by all the extra hours I’ve put in and just how busy I’ve been during regular work hours. This afternoon I added more extra hours to my tally and… →

  • In the Blink of a Year (part 2–the “aftermath”)

    Yesterday I posted a series of pictures and screenshots that chronicled my year as the “acting administrator” of the school where I had been a teacher for 18 years. The stress and anxiety I endured during that one year as administrator was obvious in the selfies, the screenshots of inspirational quotes, and the random other… →

  • Resurrecting a “Dinosaur”

    The daily prompt today is about bringing back a dinosaur. It’s the exact same one we had last June or July—seriously, I went back and looked. My answer back then was a triceratops because my name is Sarah and the ‘cera’ in triceratops sounds like my name. However, to answer the question again, I’m pulling… →