Happy Friday my friends. I hope you are doing okay.\u00a0 \u00a0I think I hit a bit of a breaking point earlier today, where the weight of it all got a bit too heavy, and even though I was trying to keep it together, I had a call with a co-worker who simply asked “How are you doing?” and it was the straw the broke the camel’s back so to speak, and the tears came.\u00a0 How professional. (smile)<\/p>\n
And instead of faking a smile and saying “fine” I was honest, and said “right now, not okay.”<\/p>\n
And we had a conversation about the world and everything that was going on around us and in our community.\u00a0 \u00a0We talked about the truck convoy.\u00a0 We talked about living through a pandemic and how it’s changed our world, our workplace, and how much it’s affected our mental health.<\/p>\n
I hope you have someone to talk to when you can’t say you’re fine.\u00a0 I hope you have someone in your circle that you can share your heart with, and share the fears and insecurity and anxious thoughts.<\/p>\n
I think these are the days I miss my mom the most.\u00a0 Even though I’ve lived longer without her than with her, I miss her presence.\u00a0 I miss her reassurance.\u00a0 I miss the simple knowing that she was there for anything and to be the voice that says “it will be okay”.<\/p>\n
Gosh could I use a dose of that comfort right now.\u00a0 Because nothing feels okay right now.\u00a0 \u00a0It takes it’s toll on your mental health.\u00a0 All the “stuff” that is happening around us.<\/p>\n
Don’t think sitting behind the mic makes us immune to any of it because it doesn’t.\u00a0 We feel it all.\u00a0 And to be the target at times of not so kind messages isn’t good for anybody.<\/p>\n
We all want this to be over and get our lives back and get back to normal.\u00a0 Well, for the most part.\u00a0 If my boss is reading, I would love to still be able to wear my comfy clothes to work, and Duran Duran t-shirts on Feel Good Fridays. (smile)<\/p>\n
It’s gone on way too long, and we are all “done” with it.\u00a0 We’re tired and angry and frustrated.\u00a0 \u00a0But it’s not going to be forever.\u00a0 \u00a0And every time I think of something I’m not able to do, or miss – I think of those lives lost and how much those families are hurting.\u00a0 And I think of everyone – from the health care workers, to the truckers, to the cashiers at the checkouts – who have been working tirelessly through this whole thing.\u00a0 Adapting, over and over again. To those business owners who never know from one day to the next what is going to happen.\u00a0 To those who have lost a job, or have no security in the workplace because of the chaos this has created.\u00a0 Thank you.\u00a0 For all that you have done.<\/p>\n
It’s been HARD.<\/p>\n
So – I don’t know why, but I was sitting here feeling sad, and trying to get up the energy for an on air show about “feeling good” and I thought of the saying “when it’s dark, look for the rainbows”. And maybe you need to hear that too.\u00a0 A reminder that when it feels dark, and overwhelming and sad – focus on the good.\u00a0 Look for the rainbows in the dark.<\/p>\n
And then I remembered a song I loved as a kid, and even now, even still, a kid at heart – Kermit the Frog.\u00a0 Rainbow Connection.<\/p>\n
Look for the rainbows. Look for the helpers.\u00a0 Look for the good.<\/p>\n
And when it’s hard, don’t be afraid to say so.\u00a0 Don’t be afraid to let the tears flow, even if it’s a bit embarrassing on a video call with a co-worker.\u00a0 (smile)<\/p>\n
Thanks for listening and sharing your afternoons with me.\u00a0 Reach out anytime – cbuchanan@blackburnmedia.ca<\/a><\/p>\n xo<\/p>\n Carrie<\/p>\n <\/p>\n