“I’m good.”
Work and Vulnerability during the Pandemic
May 8, 2021. New Delhi, India.
Our days start and end with COVID related news. Every story on social media is asking for help. Every other call or message carries news of illness or death. Every single day you hear of someone passing away.
Every. Single. Day.
Many of our friends, family and colleagues are sick. We are back to being socially isolated, confined to our homes, wondering when all of this will come to an end. Amidst all of this, we also have to live our lives. We gotta continue to work, earn, learn, love, laugh, indulge in self-care and dream of the future.
In such uncertain times, when a lot of things are not in our control, we tend to hold on tight to things we do have control over. We may rely on routines even more, on aspects of our life that seem predictable, certain and safe. These familiar routines can distract us, comfort us, and provide us with a much-needed sense of purpose. For many of us who are fortunate enough to continue working from home, that work may be the routine we depend upon and may be the only thing giving us some semblance of normalcy.
However, that same work also requires a fair bit of pretence. It requires you to tune out the news, wipe away your tears, take deep breaths, refocus and some days, put on fake smiles. And say “yeah, I’m good”. Even when you might not be.
Some days, it uplifts you and some days it tires you out even more. You question the purpose of it all. Why are we still concerned about completing the syllabus? Why do students still need to write tests? Why do we need to sit for hours in front of the screen? Do we pretend that we are all okay and the world isn’t suffering?
We tell our students and children that we’re okay, because we want to be pillars of support for them. But what if we were to acknowledge how we truly felt? What if we just said ‘I’m a little stressed by what is going on in my country’, or ‘I’m having a crappy day’ or ‘I’m not feeling the best today but this work is important, so let’s get it done’. What if we tell our colleagues how we really feel rather than a customary ‘I’m good’?
What if we made the space for greater vulnerability in our classrooms and work spaces?
Acknowledging difficult circumstances and expressing our emotions brings us closer and reminds us that we are together in this. Yes, we are teachers and professionals, but we are also human. Being real with our students will help them recognise, and possibly open up about their own emotions, and create a space where ALL feelings are welcome. A space full of love, kindness and empathy.
A space where we don’t need to tune out the world, but tune into our inner world while knowing fully well that the show must go on…
Check out my posts on diversity and inclusion in Education on my Instagram blog, ValuEd!
