So yesterday was THE big day for those of us here in Loudoun Co (and much of the country)... the day we have anticipated with a lot of uncertainty, anxiety, and for some~ even dread: Virtual/Distance Learning. I have to say, overall I have been super positive about it all. I mean what choice do I have really? I'm not someone just looking to hate it, looking to bash the system, looking to bash the teachers and place blame on anyone and everyone that I can. Quite the opposite in fact. I know these teachers are working so hard and stressing about all the difficulty in teaching from a distance and I am so grateful for them~ not to mention that I chose this DL option back when we had a choice. But I have to say, y'all, yesterday was hard. Like awful. Tears were shed. I wanted to crawl into a hole and just sob if I'm being completely honest. I have friends that live in other states just breezing along with a system that isn't so complicated...ya know, like ONE page that takes them wherever they need to go. Imagine that?! But for whatever reason, ours is quite complicated. Go to this tab and open this folder and then this folder and then click this link and enter this password and then go to this icon and then you'll be directed to this page and then this tab and, and, and. OMG. At least that's how it felt. How are these young kids supposed to do all of this on their own?
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Benjamin Franklin
So I woke at 3:30am today to tackle this school insanity myself. I opened alllll the folders. I printed things. I watched tutorials on these platforms so that I could later teach them to beau. I rearranged frequently used icons to be more accessible. I reviewed the schedule so that we would know exactly where to be at exactly what time. I am tired, but I feel much more prepared.
I have to say that today was SO MUCH BETTER! I asked beau to rate yesterday and today: 0 being the worst. 10 being the best. He gave yesterday a 0. I probably would too.
But he gave today a 10! Hallelujah! (And this is coming from a kid who doesn't even like the in person version of school that other kids his age love!) Phewwwwww! I know that some days will suck y'all. They just will. And others won't be so bad. And others will effing rock. Today rocked. Praise be.
Since this is a design/diy blog, I gotta throw in a little about the actual school room! The only thing missing on the kids' side are some adorable plug in sconces that are taking forever to arrive~ and may have actually been a scam. Yay. More on that later. We are still calling this room all sorts of things over here. The office. The school room. The classroom. The school. The learning space. What should we call it?! I recently named my kitchen Millie. Maybe we should just name this room too... comment some names for this baby!
cuties!
So far the room has been excellent! It's been functional and calm. Exactly what we needed. And my office is on the other side of the room so I can sit here and work while listening and hop over whenever they need me. Thankfully I was able to be a tad less "hovery" today than yesterday!
“The things that make me different are the things that make me.” – Winnie The Pooh
I saw in a few social media groups where people asked the members to share pics of their learning spaces. The responses were interesting. Some were either proudly showing off their kids' school spaces or bashing those that have adorable spaces and bragging about their no frill ways. Others complained that it only made them feel inadequate that they didn't have something cute or cool set up. You guys, I know you know this already, but I'm gonna just say it again for those of you in the back: There is no right or wrong way.
Sorry, one more time: THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG WAY.
There is nothing that says you have to decorate some adorable space for your people to have a successful year! Have we really not learned that through this ENTIRE Covid situation yet? That all of us are different and will choose to go about everything differently? But here's me: Design/DIY/Decor is my thing. And I assume you like at least some aspects of it as well or you probably wouldn't be here to read this. You know how some people rage clean when they feel all the feelings and anxieties? Or others like to plan plan plan? (Yeah apparently that was me this morning~ but only out of necessity as it's not really my nature). Others of you find your sense of "control" in other ways... because let's be honest, we all just want some sense of control in our lives. Well this is mine. If I'm feeling out of control or anxious, I create. I "get it out" creatively. I can control the space that I'm in and if it's a space that I love and want to BE in, then I feel more at ease and happy. It sparks alllll the joy. Nothing brings me more excitement, professionally, than when I can help others feel that same feeling in their homes. It's truly the best feeling. I've even had some clients who didn't realize what they were missing until they experienced 'that feeling' and now they are all about loving their spaces! But not everyone cares about that, or even wants that, and you guys... THAT'S OK! If you ARE someone who loves a beautiful home, then I hope my spaces inspire you. If you love it and want it but don't have a creative bone in your body? It's ok... that's why I do what I do. Reach out to me and together we can create a space that you and your family will love.
And wine. Let's all just end the school day with a nice glass of wine (if that's safe for you). We'll all get through this one way or the other!
