Beth

This was so satisfying to send to my seventeen-year-old.

I get it to some extent.It is a very different experience to read literature that’s aimed at a well-read, educated cohort rather than a society with a 6th grade reading level. So if people like reading in that way it’s…fine. But making it a litmus test/personality is just a bit absurd. If that was the test I’m surely a fool.

To all the other people wondering “again” …yeah me too. How are there so many childcare workers like this?

I have an advanced degree. I don’t think I know/nor do I want to know everything. But I’m an expert in my field. Outside of that, I like to consume fluffy, shallow media. Because my work is very hard with high burnout and depression, I can’t be super serious all the time. So, I have stayed single after my marriage because it was always “you think you know everything” variants any time I engaged in logic. I don’t want to be run down by people who are supposed to care. I haven’t read classics that often because I simply find them way less interesting than watching JJK. So it’s like being trapped in this space of super serious or super aggrieved potential mates, and as I’m getting older…dying alone is my only sane option.

Guess I’ll stop going to work….hmm…maybe I can get some of those WFH days back now that I’m limited to 1 per week?

You have to nurture friendships with care. That looks different for everyone. But if you don’t ever show up, don’t reciprocate energy etc…the other person is going to feel that. It is a hurtful and draining experience for the other person over the long term. I’ve heard the term “energy vampire” which is one way these kinds of paradigms end up. I’ll always pivot for a friend because Ive made that kind of relationship a priority.

It isn’t bizarre to the parent with a kid who will bolt, but still deserves to go outside.