it's almost over

So stress…

This last run up to the degree show is tense to say the least. I’ve been remaining outwardly calm to get work done and periodically venting on friends’ shoulders when away from uni. They’re amazing people, consistently encouraging me to keep going.

One such friend (who happens to be a midwife) on one such occasion decided to impart some encouragement in the form of an analogy: ‘ it’s like giving birth, except you’re the baby. In the last stages you get squeezed from every side, but once it’s over there’s a tremendous sense of relief and achievement.’

That was on Sunday night.

On Monday night I spent the better part in A&E and left with crutches and a serious urge for a strong expletive. (I had a blister that covered the whole of my heel, somehow it managed to get bigger and because I’d been trying not to walk on it, the front of my foot was in agony and I’d sprained my ankle and knee a little so I couldn’t really walk. So am now under strict instructions not to put any weight on that leg or foot.)

I was more than a little angry so I texted my friend with the analogy how much more squeezing was going to occur, since I already felt like I was cracking, to which she replied ‘ this is your last lap hop along! I’ll carry you if I have to!’

I don’t think I’ve ever realised how important it is to have people like that in your life. I guess I’m probably being a little over dramatic but I really don’t think I could have got through this year without those people that bring you back down to earth and give genuine love and support when you need it.

I am stressed to the max, but I will get through this.