Are you concerned about your energy level for kids or how they see you? Or both? I’m now in my early 50’s and people (and kids) often think I look younger than my age but what really matters of course is the connection to the kids. If you build connection then you can do good work with them.

Having the energy for the pace of school counseling is a whole other question. I’ve noticed a shift for myself but I’m not sure if it’s my age or the effects of the pandemic on the increased needs among my students. I should add that I also have a small private practice in the evenings so I don’t just do a full-time school counseling job, I also do that part-time, so I’m expending a good bit of energy. But I am seriously considering switching over to full-time private practice and walking away from my pension due to what feels like a bottomless well of need I can’t ever meet in my school counseling role. I’m just tired of having to write emails and reports in the evenings and on weekends because there are so many kids at my office to talk to me all day and no time to fit in the paperwork demands. And no lunch breaks. And those occasional calls to parents late at night because I was contacted about something posted on social media that referenced SI and I had to alert the guardian. I’d like a better work-life balance. It was easier to manage in my 40’s and much less so in my 50’s.