The Weight of Worry

I am feeling preoccupied and worried about something that I’m not ready to talk about yet with others.

And so for now, I’m working really hard to be grateful for all the small things. There is comfort in gratitude for life’s little pleasures.

I’ve been enjoying extra snuggles with my velcro kitty, Bumper, who follows me all over the house and shares my pillow at night. I’m grateful for funny memes on Instagram and influencers who take the time to share new outfits or make-up. I’m thankful for a 3-day weekend and luxury of moving more slowly this weekend.

I’m grateful for perspective. Little things that usually to bother me don’t feel important right now.

When we find ourselves in a place of worry, let’s move small. Let’s be grateful for little moments and move from moment-to-moment.

As I look back on my week, there were some really really hard moments. But also, some really beautiful moments too.

Twice a year, I gathered our district office learning team of roughly 20 people across all roles and departments spanning curriculum and instruction, student services, and technology. We build our sense of community, learn together, plan together, and break bread too. Yesterday, I had worries in the back of my mind, but I also had love and connection to comfort me too.

As Dan and Chip Heath write in The Power of Moments, people don’t remember whether you fixed their problems. Fixing problems whelms people. It doesn’t overwhelm or underwhelm, it whelms people. But people remember peak moments. The good and the bad peak moments and many of our peak moments revolve our transitions. Moving up from junior high to high school or starting a new job.

So, our team spent time yesterday planning for those who will start new jobs next school year. Yes, it’s only January, but if we wait until summer to plan, the plan will be rushed and thrown together. If making people feel special and like they belong is important, then we need to treat it like important and give it the time it deserves.

Let’s not be so busy doing the daily work that we forget our bigger purpose, and the role our daily work plays in that bigger purpose. Daily habits and monthly systems should work in tandem to build a dreamy future for all of us.

Our heads and hearts need space for both the present moment and the future we are trying to build.

As I say in Legacy of Learning, “It’s the way you show up, treat others, and do the work that gives you long-lasting influence. Not your title.”

Sending comforting and healing vibes to those weighed down by worries that make the work hard. Both the daily work and the long-term planning work too.

I see you. I feel that.