To a Restful Weekend

Today marked the end of my first semester as an online Master of Social Work (MSW) student in her forties. The level of relief, yet optimism that I feel is inexplicable. This semester challenged me in ways that I did not anticipate. I am a possibly perimenopausal mother of two young children under eleven, who is battling several chronic illness. At several points in the semester, the pain in my body was so challenging that I briefly contemplated moving to an internship that was closer to home. Thankfully, I decided to stay where I was and I am so proud of myself for making that decision. I am celebrating today with one semester down and a few more to go.

When I started this journey, I made it a point to document my experiences in a series of TikTok videos. The goal was to open myself to making connections with people in a similar stage of life—older and making a career change in the helping industry. Boy, was I surprised to see the massive community that welcomed me with open arms and so much support. I have gotten to meet and follow many amazing people, primarily women, who are pursuing a goal deferred or realized at forty an above. It feels so comforting to see so many of us being represented in this profession and encouraging each other in a way that advances what we do.

At school I got to meet people whose experiences are vast, granular, and distinct in ways that enriches the industry of social work from a personal and professional lens. We all bring something special to the field of social work making us invaluable and I love it. I got to know my classmates and my work colleagues through their lived experiences that they so willingly and openly shared. I have formed relationships with people who prioritize the wellbeing of others and contribute so much to making our society better.

Social work forces you to delve into the unhealed parts of yourself—especially the parts that have been suppressed as a means of survival. I cannot begin to tell you the number of times that a discussion or reading forced me to reflect on my past experiences. I was able to see it all from a new perspective and connect the dots to social issues that I am passionate about. This semester increased my empathy even more, a trait I already consider to be my superpower. I love it here, and I look forward to continuing this journey.

As I go into the weekend, I want to focus on rest and self-care to recover, regenerate and prepare me for the upcoming semester. I wish you all a weekend of rest, especially for the scholars who are out there making dreams come true while taking care of their community.

If you would like to learn more about my journey throughout the past semester and future semesters, join me at TikTok.

What are your plans for the weekend?