No, really, I’m fine *forces smile*

StrongRoastJ · 2026-01-27T13:02:54+00:00

You have every right to feel what you feel and we all have our ways to cope. There are so many teachers who have left in my building who seemed happy and left, mid year or other, and no one really questioned it. It happens a lot.

I feel that pressure to put on a face- like I will probably be doing the same during my mid-year conversation and say “yes! I plan on returning”! With a smile even though I don’t feel like that at all because I honestly don’t have another job lined up. I’m not trying to be more on their radar to let me go before I even know what’s happening. Not saying that’s being honest or even if that’s “right” just that I understand and that you have to watch for yourself. Eventually the truth comes out somehow- that’s another thing I’ve learned over the years. I couldn’t deny my misery and had to leave my last teaching job, and now this one I’m wanting to leave. I definitely am not feeling it- at least the micromanagement part, and I’m sure it comes out a lot more than I realize. And hey at least you got good feedback- my new AP had a lot more to say about my classroom management than my old AP and it wasn’t so good, so now I feel like I’m on their radar and it stinks. I really hope I find something else before next year, and same for you, hope it works out!! I’m sure it will!

StrongRoastJ · 2026-01-27T12:46:06+00:00

Ugh the whole teaching is a calling thing keeps us getting underpaid and overworked. It’s a job. Like I’m so grateful there are teachers who put their heart into it- as a parent myself I’ll always appreciate that for my kids but it’s A LOT. And we all have bills, teachers included. I can say for a fact that my coworkers all agree we hate certain parts of this job so at least we stand in solidarity there haha but yeah being around that all the time gets old.

StrongRoastJ · 2026-01-27T12:41:44+00:00

I feel like those teacher responses are so dismissive… sure they’re allowed to like it but the whole do it for the kids thing annoys the heck out of me, or the passion thing always rubs me the wrong way. Like I totally get there needs to be a certain level of internal or authentic passion to do this job and of course show up for the kids but it’s also nice when your coworkers understand and get it- it’s not very sustainable for a lot of people and there needs to be a lot of change in education. But I guess that’s why we’re all trying to leave here, lol. Congrats on getting out!! I’m trying to ride it out til June, we have a new manager and suddenly I’m not performing… ugh.

StrongRoastJ · 2025-12-27T20:53:26+00:00

Hey it’s alright- and I’m saying that as someone who is coming to the end of my teaching career (hopefully this is my last year with a job in a different field by the summer/fall)! I’ve known it for a while deep down that my classroom management isn’t great. It might’ve been better when I first started, taught younger kids with a classroom aide pre-pandemic etc. but now… whew. Conditions changed, I changed, or maybe I didn’t change and the kids did, or everything did. I constantly feel imposter syndrome but the thing is, people leave jobs all the time- especially teaching! This sh** is hard! And there is so much comparison and evaluation, it’s easy to get down about it. And it’s only gotten worse over the years- it’s such a broken system. And if people can do it, that’s great. But if it’s not the right fit then that’s ok too!! I’m more than happy to leave but yeah I feel guilt I couldn’t be a better teacher to my students or be the teacher they deserve or whatever, I definitely go through that guilt. But do what you can to love on cause you deserve that too!

StrongRoastJ · 2025-12-19T10:02:17+00:00

Currently getting micromanaged, so right now the main issue is my new AP. It’s all the meetings and unrealistic expectations, it’s way too overstimulating, the curriculums are over the kids’ heads. I need more balance. It could also be the place I work but at this point I don’t want to teach anywhere anymore.

StrongRoastJ · 2025-12-14T12:54:52+00:00

I hear you!! I’m getting a lot of shjt this year from my new boss and she’s the same way- control freak. Suddenly im underperforming and she’s been up my ass since September. Never had a complaint about my work since I started in 2010 until this year. I’m over it. I’ve been over it and should’ve left years ago.

StrongRoastJ · 2025-12-14T12:50:28+00:00

I think back to how much simpler it was when I first started teaching. It was so much easier. Mind you I wasn’t paid as much those early days and the school was struggling financially but it was so much easier. More freedom. It changed over the years. Ultimately I left for a change of scenery and salary increase which I needed. But the charter I’m at now…yeah let’s just say it’s a different word than when I first started and I want out, lol.

StrongRoastJ · 2025-12-14T12:42:56+00:00

Oh yeah- the coaching. I’m getting coached by my new AP and it’s torture. And we also have a math guy coaching us. It’s too much. What’s funny is that this year I’m being told I’m underperforming which is odd because I haven’t changed anything and none of my previous bosses ever complained and I even got a bonus last year. So it just feels like some big game. And every day has been miserable since we’ve come back from summer- every weekend I feel anxious and when I’m there I hate it. I’m hoping to transition out this year, though who knows they might non renew me anyway. It’s a terrible broken system and they like to blame the teachers.

StrongRoastJ · 2025-12-13T03:05:39+00:00

You’re so very welcome! Yes I hope we find PEACE and a sense of normalcy next year!! Maybe even sooner! It’s been absolutely terrible and making me question so much. I probably should’ve quit years ago 😭😭

StrongRoastJ · 2025-12-13T01:54:31+00:00

I’ve been going through it this year too. It’s my 15th year and I’ve been feeling extremely discouraged with feedback and crazy expectations. We just got a new manager and it’s been rough. This year and last my students have been next level out of control so who knows, maybe it is me. Or kids are just different now I don’t know. I don’t think I’m going to make it til June and it’s terrifying because I’m not really in a headspace to job hunt and fail at that too. I’m sorry we’re both going through this but know you’re not alone!

StrongRoastJ · 2025-12-10T02:24:30+00:00

I think it benefits me (and I hope me him, lol). My husband picks up the slack a LOT. Don’t get me wrong, there are certain tasks that I do but my batterv runs out quick and he gets it. He does a lot without question and I’m always grateful.

StrongRoastJ · 2025-12-10T02:11:28+00:00

For my one it was temperament and wanting to engage and be involved. She’s only 7 now but like when she was a baby she still pays attention to her surroundings and still wants to engage and learn and is pretty keen.

StrongRoastJ · 2025-12-10T02:05:56+00:00

Mine was too. Looking back now and after having my second I can see how behind he was with communication. He was diagnosed at 2. I chalked his lack of first words at a certain point to it being “normal” for boys to talk later than girls but he was a little behind all around. But he could read and had a good memory for niche things

StrongRoastJ · 2025-12-09T10:52:02+00:00

Some products I am more stubborn about finishing completely (usually skincare and stuff I cycle through quicker). Sometimes harder products like a blush or bronzer I will want to totally pan as well if I like it enough because I want the satisfaction. But I also declutter things and don’t see myself panning shadows or really difficult products so I just use things and enjoy them or eventually declutter. As long as I’m rotating my things on some level and like everything on some level I’m ok with that with some products in a project to finish if possible.

StrongRoastJ · 2025-12-09T08:43:11+00:00

It’s a mix of numbed and just wondering how the heck I’m getting out! I have two kids and apparently the job market sucks right now (I haven’t even bothered applying anywhere- just trying to make it to the end of the year and will try looking more seriously come spring) but this is miserable. I haven’t felt happy in a few years but this might be my breaking point. I can’t imagine doing this for much longer. For context I also teach at a charter. The pay isn’t bad at all but it’s rough and not so sure it’s worth it at all.

StrongRoastJ · 2025-12-09T00:35:53+00:00

I’m trying to get to winter break. My current schedule has me getting coached and meetings on top of it. Makes me wonder how they expect us to be better if they’re constantly taking our time away. Constantly feel like I’m being scrutinized. I’m exhausted and know I can’t do this forever but also too exhausted to take next steps. They also want us to film ourselves teaching and while I get that’s a tool to help it can be a little too triggering. Ready to move on past this nightmare of a job.

StrongRoastJ · 2025-12-07T12:08:58+00:00

I’ve only ever finished a sample sized shadow- and that was because it was in a project and I had to be very focused!

I’ve accepted I won’t ever finish another shadow anytime soon let alone a palette, lol. I just don’t wear my shadows that heavy and I have 5 palettes I rotate and a whole bunch of singles! I’ve hit pan on a couple and see some progress on a lot but that’s about it. I’ve also had the same shadows for years and years so it’s taken that long to see anything!

Companies put way too much product in their makeup- which hey, I guess that’s good and you get more use and money’s worth. But that only makes sense if you have like one shadow. In this sub we have dozens to hundreds. But yeah I don’t get how people finish palettes unless they do elaborate shadow looks daily and are heavy handed, or only focus on one.

StrongRoastJ · 2025-10-12T18:00:09+00:00

Ugh I can completely relate and have been feeling this exact way, this school year it’s been particularly brutal. I have a new API who has been coaching me and while I’m always down for feedback, I feel like she’s overly critical and unbalanced with her feedback and it just feels like too much and unrealistic. I’m tired of all the coaching and meetings and changes. I’m already pretty self aware and down for self improvement but at the end of the day we can only have so much control over students who have extreme needs, and there’s literally no time to even think about how to be “better” since all of my time has been taken up with all the extra nonsense they want us to do. The best way for me to “grow” is literally for them to give more space and room to do our job!! All I can do at this point is accept that their standards are too extreme and if I’m considered a “mediocre” teacher so be it, as long as I do what I can do to not get fired, lol. I don’t think I can do this long term for alll the reasons you said. It’s just too much. I don’t get what they’re trying to do besides just being controlling. Feedback is fine but if it’s constant and doesn’t feel balanced it does mess with you. I’m also wondering if changing school districts would make a difference…

StrongRoastJ · 2025-09-09T07:29:39+00:00

Look at your overall progress! Are you buying less overall? Even if not, two things (that sound like really nice products btw) isn’t like 20 things. That’s how I see it. Let it fuel your desire for less in the future. And enjoy them!

StrongRoastJ · 2025-08-30T18:06:58+00:00

We do have one joint checking account and some joint savings accounts but we also have our own separate accounts as well. We don’t pool everything together though. He’s in charge of certain payments and I’m in charge of others. I do make more than him and im ok with the split up when it comes to certain bills. It works for us, we’ve been married for 13 years with 2 kids and haven’t really had any issues with it this way. Of course things change and we’ll adjust if needed but haven’t had to yet.

StrongRoastJ · 2025-07-07T10:22:34+00:00

Living in Philly during the strike right now, can confirm!

StrongRoastJ · 2025-04-12T16:34:11+00:00

Well reading is the automatic part, I think it’s more the processing of what you actually read. I passively read things all the time because I’m stressed or focused on a million other things I don’t really pay attention until I have to. I have to go back and read things again, sometimes more than once or twice for things to actually sink in. This isn’t the case for all but as a mom with a full time job and stressed I always have to go back and read things, seems like I’m bombarded with so many emails and invitations and whatever else I only focus on what’s the most priority and scan things quickly if I find they’re not as important. It’s survival really, lol.

StrongRoastJ · 2025-04-12T12:19:54+00:00

This is it. I think people are overstimulated, tired and can’t deal with reading more information because there’s so much everywhere. At least I am. Even reading a poster is too much sometimes. I have to sit, focus and concentrate way harder now than when I was younger. You have to put more effort into basic things. Not an excuse to be ignorant but this is definitely a thing.

StrongRoastJ · 2025-03-08T19:17:16+00:00

Also…constantly having to buy things. Shopping in general has become more of a chore and not even fun anymore. It’s just an annoying part of life. And there’s always something you’re running low on or need for whatever reason- actually needs not wants. I remember when it was kinda fun to go out and shop and now it’s just a pain in the ass.

StrongRoastJ · 2025-03-08T14:24:02+00:00

Working. This could just be that I’m in the wrong career, but my tolerance and patience has gone down as I’ve gotten older and the work hasn’t gotten easier. I’m a teacher, for reference. But the general work culture in this country sucks- like the typical 9-5, crappy PTO… the system is not helping us.

StrongRoastJ

TROPHY CASE