UPDATE: 24 April 2026
I know I’ve been posting more. Lots of things have changed, so I thought I would update again.
I am not as “in between” as I was when I posted in October last year. On a whim, I started looking at job postings in school districts near me. I applied for a job working in the media center of a junior high. When I got the call for an interview, I happily accepted.
On the way to the interview, however, I almost chickened out. I had so many scenarios going through my head that I almost talked myself out of going. I could feel the burnout coming to the surface, my panic was begging BEGGING for me to pay attention to it. I squashed it down and forced myself to go.
The interview was amazing. I was open with the principal about my struggles as a teacher, about my desire to work with students again without having to be the only adult in the room. I told him about the therapy I was going to and the fact that I knew that much of what was going on in my brain was working on being rewired. I left wanting the job but without a lot of faith that I would get it.
When he called and offered me the job, I quickly agreed. So, now I am working part time but enough hours to still contribute to my retirement. I will be able to meet the next multiplier (I was a half year away from it) and, if things work out, might be able to continue contributing for another five years to get to the next multiplier.
It’s nice working part time. It gives me a chance to get back to writing and also continue healing from my burnout. It especially helps that I am dealing with some of the same issues that I dealt with when I was in the classroom, just on a smaller scale. I am in a good place right now.
Wow wow wow! I figure that it is time for me to update this since I plan on writing again. Maybe people out there who stumble across my blog might want to know who I am.
Today is October 16, 2025, and this is who I am at this moment.
After 24 years, I retired from teaching in public schools. I taught English at so many different levels and abilities. The lowest grade that I taught was sixth grade (they scared me– it only lasted one school year). The highest grade was twelfth. I loved my job until I didn’t. I always promised myself that I would leave teaching before I became one of THOSE teachers. I tried to make it to 25 years, but I just couldn’t do it and kept my promise.
Don’t worry, I will never correct your grammar. I’m not that kind of teacher.
I was diagnosed with ADHD two years ago. For 49 years of my life, I thought I was broken. I didn’t realize that the world around me wasn’t designed for me. Now that I know, it is easier for me to navigate the world. I mourn for the little girl who had no idea how to fit in. Sometimes I’m even angry for her. I’m working on that.
Right now, I am a person in between. I don’t know what to do with my life. I can’t go back to teaching because I’m so burned out. I don’t really know how to fit into the business sector and am not even sure that I want to. I used to be so sure what I should be doing, and now I have no idea. I guess it is an adventure.
I am a person searching for so many things. You know, the standard things like connection, meaning, a kinder world, a way to share my creativity, my executive functioning, etc. I’m probably too serious, but it’s hard not to be when you are always thinking.
Oh! I’m also very happily married and mother to an enby kiddo who I adore.
Quietly Askew 
Hey! I started an MA in English! I never finished it though. I don’t have the kind of OCD that requires me to finish things.
I also thought briefly about a Masters of Education. I was miserable just reading the course catalog.
I like this.
Now I’m curious what sort of OCD I have.
@lgalavaz– Many of my colleagues tell me that I should get my Administrative certificate. I look at them and say, “Why do you hate me so much?”
@lahikmajoe– I bet there is a quiz on the Interwebz about that. Of course, it won’t be as official as mine. 😀
Wow! A side of you that I didn’t know about. Hey, no matter what the quirks are, I still love you for you who you are. You make me smile and I always feel happy to be around you. The Education system will be hurt if you do leave, but I 100% understand. The heart needs to be happy! What are you thinking of next? Can’t wait to hear.
Thank you for reading it, MK. You are awesome, my dear.
I LOVE your description of the meds. I went through a long process to find the right cocktail that cancels out all the side effects without turning me into a total zombie. Now I basically have it managed, which means I have no excuse for my behavior…
Too bad the cocktail is not an alcoholic one with a big teal umbrella served in a pineapple, right? We can’t have everything we want. I still have an excuse because my anxiety recurs about 10% of the time. Or at least that is what I tell everyone around me when I’m being … you know.
Thanks for stopping by!
Hello, Elizabeth, and welcome to the group of readers of diabeticredemption.com. I’m very happy that you’ve signed on. I have a Friends Page, and I’d love to have you tell the rest of us a little about yourself, and your blog, and be sure to include the URL, so my readers can link to your blog.
Your story reminds me of me, in a lot of ways. Not details, although I am living with mental illness too; rather that questioning of my own ability. Do I write well enough? What if people hate what I write? I’ll tell you what I did; it’s going to sound selfish, but it has made me a much better blogger. Write what you want and need to write. Seven billion people are projected readers of what you write — could you ever possibly know what to write so that they will all care? Very early, maybe my tenth post, I came to this realization, with the help of my sister. Since then, way more people are reading and commenting and supporting my blog. You are free, of course, to tell me to lay off — I am just so amazed at the changes in my life, I can’t shut up! Once again, welcome!
Thank you for your response. My blog is still a baby blog, and I am learning so much every day. I’ve mostly stopped trying to be what I thought other people wanted. It is liberating to be myself!
I will definitely go and fill out your friends page. Thank you so much for the comment.
I’m very glad to have you here. Baby blogs, or ten-year old blogs, (which in bloggy years is about 100,) this community needs them all, and yours is a rich addition to the group. If I can help you in any way, please let me know!