This week, we’re hitting pause on the usual head-shaking stories. Instead, let’s talk about what happens when life tosses not just one wild situation your way but a whole series of them.
Because let’s face it—sometimes it’s not just one “You Can’t Make It Up” moment. It’s a marathon of them, back to back, with no recovery time in between. Add up enough of those moments, both big and small, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for… well, everything: exhaustion, burnout, cynicism, anxiety, and, if you’re lucky, just a sprinkle of stress.
These incidents can trigger all the emotions—laughter, anger, fear, confusion, and about a hundred others in rapid succession. The beauty (and chaos) of education is that these moments involve everyone: kids, adults, and even the wider community. We deal with layers of complexity daily, and this week was no exception.
Across the country, school districts have been dealing with an unfortunate trend—fake threats. These were once rare but have become frustratingly common, causing disruption at every level, especially when real threats are looming in the background or happening in real-time.
And then, because why not throw some fuel on the fire, there’s the chaos of people reposting these threats instead of reporting them. Enter the misinformation machine—running at top speed, tossing truth out the window. Suddenly, media outlets, phone lines, and people who aren’t even connected to the situation are all in the mix, fanning the flames.
What starts as a local issue can escalate to national levels before anyone has time to catch their breath. So, how do you handle the aftermath when the dust finally settles?
Key Takeaways for Debriefing and Re-Stabilizing:
- Step Away from the Screens
Once things have calmed down, force yourself—yes, force—to step away from your devices. We can all develop a bit of hypervigilance after a crisis, constantly checking to make sure things are okay. It’s hard to break, but a digital detox will do wonders. - Lean on Your Trusted Circle
Have a plan with some trusted friends or family members: if they notice you going into “hermit mode” or opting out of life, they should give you a gentle nudge back into the world. Sometimes, we need those reminders to step away from school life and do literally anything else. - Rant, Then Let It Go
Call a colleague and warn them in advance: “I’m about to rant.” Commiserate, chat, and when you’re ready, give yourself permission to let it go. One trick is to write down your frustrations, crumple up the paper, and throw it in the trash. Visualizing that release can help you actually feel it. - Plan Things to Look Forward To
Take a moment to look ahead and plan a few activities—both at work and at home—that you genuinely enjoy. Having something on the horizon is a powerful way to lift yourself back up to that 30,000-foot view and remember that life is more than just surviving the moment. - Catch Up on Sleep
Did you lose some sleep during the chaos? Grab a nap. And no, not a nap with the TV on in the background—find a quiet room and indulge in actual rest. Or, if that’s not possible, find a movie that always puts you to sleep. (We all have one!) - Eat Something Delicious
Did you stop eating regularly during the crisis? Go get something you truly want to eat. Forget about your usual “healthy choices” for a meal and focus on flavor and enjoyment. It’s about resetting your normal eating habits with something comforting. - Know That the Storm Will Pass
Here’s the good news: every storm runs out of rain. Yes, these “You Can’t Make It Up” moments are rough, but they will pass. That doesn’t mean they won’t come back, though—let’s not pretend life works that way. But when they do, remember: you’ve handled it before, and you’ll handle it again. And hey, there’s always a tribe of people ready to help you along the way.
We can’t always control the chaos, but we can control how we recover from it—one deep breath, one nap, and one ridiculous story at a time. You got this!
Jane