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I'm still here!
I may have been 'off-grid' for a short time, but my resources are still available for #EFL #ESL #ELT teachers.
I have to admit to feeling somewhat overwhelmed over the last few weeks, even with a small break. And I'm not ashamed to say that. Intense work, family emergencies, family drama, that sort of thing. It seems that once one thing is more or less complete, something else comes to take its place - but that's life, I suppose, and we have to face and overcome whatever comes our way.
Social media has started to become a chore rather than a pleasure - places like Twitter (which is a cesspit, let's be honest), Facebook and Instagram I'm struggling with at the moment. I'm on self-imposed hiatus from Twitter with a view to possible deletion. I have yet to decide what to do about FB and Insta.
I see many others in the community doing really well on socials and I applaud them, constantly comparing myself to them and wondering if I'm doing enough. But then it dawns on me that I AM enough, and whether I post every day, every two days or once in a blue moon, it shouldn't matter - my materials and my work should speak for themselves.
I think it's important to talk about these things - some people celebrate my honesty whereas others may question whether this is appropriate in a professional setting. I argue that it is. Without people talking about their emotions, wellbeing or mental health, stigma will remain and people will be less likely to speak up, potentially stopping others from reflecting on their own mental health.
If you're reading this, and feel comfortable in doing so, comment on the post or in a comment on LinkedIn (where I'll exclusively post this) about how YOU are doing. Think of it like a 'mental health check-in'. Do not feel as if this is something you have to do - only if you feel comfortable in doing so. I do not want to force anyone to do anything they're not comfortable with. I'm considering setting up a small Slack group, kind of like a 'mental health check-in' - in fact I opened a group last year but did nothing with it. I called it 'SelfSphere' and if anyone is interested in joining, let me know. I'd like it to be a safe and confidential space for those of us in the community to talk about our own wellbeing. Whether it will work or not, I don't know. But it's there if you want it.
New resources will be appearing soon, but of course, mental health and general wellbeing come first - as it should in all aspects of life.