End of the semester goodbyes

Writing that Inspires

I can feel the end of the semester approaching. It might be the temperature swings that are common for Kentucky in April, the final rush to meet with colleagues before “summer” is here, or maybe it is the increase in emails from students needing to talk. The end of a semester is a mix of emotions and can catch you off guard if you aren’t prepared for it.

As an empath, it is even more difficult for me. With every meeting, I manage to pick up a new emotion to carry with me. The excitement of the end of the academic year from the first-year students, the fear of the unknown from the graduating seniors, nostalgia from the retiring colleagues, the relief from us that experienced a challenging academic year, the emptiness left by the space occupied by people that we saw every single day for the past year…etc. By the time my day ends, I have managed to collect all these emotions.

One of my favorite writers wrote a great piece recently titled “VI. The End”. I have shared the article with you below. If you haven’t read her work, I highly recommend Mia Fowler’s writing. As we celebrate goodbyes, I thought you might appreciate her reflection on the weirdness of goodbyes and her aversion to endings.

VI. the end

What are you reading that inspires you? I am always looking for recommendations.

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