As an employee at a university, I get to enjoy the lull that is inherently present in the summer months. Sure, there are students around but much less than in the fall and winter. At lunch time, there are plenty of available benches and tables to sit at and enjoy the sunshine. And I am much less likely to be found eating at my desk and catching up on paperwork. I even enjoy the occasional visit with a loved one who travelled downtown to see me for lunch. To put it simply, it’s the most joyous time of the year and I sing praises to my employer from May to August.
But you may have noticed that we are in September. It’s still nice enough for me to look out my window and long to head outdoors for lunch. However, here’s what you would hear if you had a cozy place in my head to hang out. “That intake report isn’t gonna write itself and I have another one scheduled for tomorrow so I better get to it. Back to back clients are scheduled for the rest of the day so it’s now or never.”
Ho Hum, it’s September again. People are everywhere and I mean everywhere. Even if I had a moment to wander outside my office, I would find hoards of young adults busying themselves with going to class, eating, socializing, and doing homework. There are no benches open, no tables available. The “kids” have once again taken over their rightful place as a student on a small but very busy campus.
And with the combination of college and late September comes STRESS. The early days of the semester are over and those who are vulnerable to poor coping are feeling the anxiety, only to be followed by depression in another four weeks or so if they don’t “get their self together”. And that’s where I come in. As a helping professional, I try to remember that I am serving those in need. This is my calling. People need what I have to offer and I should be HAPPY to provide that for them. But after two back to back crises in one day (that occurred yesterday), and a particularly difficult long-term client with a personality disorder, I admittedly want to go home and crawl in bed….for a week. And let me quickly inform you that when I say “crisis”, I mean people who are contemplating committing suicide. REAL crisis. And it’s my job to help them.
So when people say that fall is their favorite season. I get it. It’s pretty outside. Not too hot or too cold. There’s football, warm food, and comfy clothes. But when I see the leaves start to change color, I brace for myself for impact. Because it’s gonna be a bumpy ride.
