{{{Erin}}} You have to do what you have to do. It takes courage to make these kinds of decisions, and I wish you nothing but the best.

I, too, want to echo Maria. Erin, this is such a tough decision, but it sounds like the absolutely right one for you. There's no doubt that teaching can amp up anxiety and depression (if it weren't for Pristiq, my personal miracle drug, I would have made the same move years ago), and I have nothing but respect for you making the decision you need to make for your personal health and your students' needs.

ETA: My allergies have been out of control these past couple of weeks, too, ftr.

I am relived, Pix. I have to admit, I was a bit worried about your and Kat's opinion, since you both work your asses off and deal with huge issues and still manage to persevere, and and I do feel, in some ways, like I am wimping out.

But them my rational brain kicks in a says "It's not wimping out to know that you are making a healthy choice. You can't measure yourself my what's right for other, only by what's right for you."

But the other voice, she is insidious. Hence my hieing myself to therapy to keep Il Voce Insidioso contained in her little box, where I will jeer at her and poke her with sticks.

Oh sweetie, you had nothing to worry about. I would be much more upset if you were pushing yourself to keep teaching when you knew you weren't doing right by the kids (not to mention yourself).

At the risk of boring you guys,

OMG I LOVE YOU ALL SO SO MUCH.

((((Erin)))) Sometimes, it takes a lot of courage to say, "I've got to get off this path because it's destroying me." So, what Pix said.

{{{Erin}}}

OMG ERIN WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH TOO.

Srsly, all blessings on you for making the choices you need for your health and happiness.

My oldest sister got her first degree to be a teacher, because that's what women did in the mid-70s. She tried it for a year, hated it, then went on to get a theater degree. She adored that, then realized she adored eating and not living in slums more, and picked up a business degree and a habit of world travel. Who knows where you'll end up, Erin?

Oh, Lord of the Internet, I committed asscaps, and I am heartily repentent of offending thee.

Hee.

I have a meeting with HR tomorrow. Gulp.

ETA: Hmm, inneresting, Connie! Could be, could be...

You know, I loved teaching, but hated dealing with administrations and parents.

Come to think of it, I'm like that with writing, too. I love writing, but there are days I hate dealing with publishing.

That probably says something unflattering about me.