We Need Supportive Community
It’s back-to-school time again, and as a former teacher, it always makes me a little nostalgic. I usually have to buy at least a box of pencils as I walk past all those lovely school supplies. But this year, I’m also thinking about how we’re treated as kids and comparing it to the way we’re treating ourselves as adults.
My specialty was in working with elementary-aged students, and I have the most experience with students in kindergarten through third grade. If a student was struggling, I almost never found myself asking, “What’s wrong with this kid?” Instead, I was looking at their environment. Is it too loud? Too distracting? Do they need to move more? Are they being bullied or are they sitting too near their best friend? In short, I was asking myself how I could adjust their environment to set them up for success.
Then I had to wonder, do I give myself the same grace when I feel like I’m not performing as well as I want to be?
I’m assuming you know the answer.
I’m trying to get better at it, but I spend a lot of time blaming and judging myself for the problems that are truly environmental in nature. It’s not that I can’t peel potatoes, it’s that I bought teeny tiny ones that are a pain in the butt to peel, so I’m avoiding it. Solution: buy bigger potatoes next time. The answer isn’t for me to just put on my big-girl panties and turn into a different person who never struggles due to her environment.
It takes a community sometimes to help us see where we’re struggling, and especially where we’re placing unfair expectations on ourselves. When we’re little, we have our friends and teachers to celebrate with us on the wins, too! But who celebrates with you now? Who do you have in your life that you can ask about those hard questions that’s going to cheer you on until you make it?
Well, I’ve finally created that community. The Alyssa’s Yellow House Facebook group is now open, and I would love for you to be a part of it. You can find it at the link below, or just search “Alyssa’s Yellow House” on Facebook. You can join the group starting TODAY!
The Facebook group will be a community hub where we can share problems, solutions, and celebrate together. I’ll be posting organizational tips and occasionally doing Live videos and Q&A sessions, so if you want YOUR organizational questions answered, it’s going to be happening in the group! I’m thrilled to be opening a space where we can all chat together and build a real community. I hope to see you there!