Post 11

            Loneliness can be triggered by different situations that occur in one’s life. Out of the triggers listed by Corey and Corey, a move to a new place was the catalyst for the loneliness I experienced a few years ago (Corey and Corey, 2010).

            I can remember how excited I was when I graduated college. I told my group this earlier in the year, but I honestly thought I was going to change the world. I was confident that I could make a difference, no matter where I landed a job. I was hoping to land a job somewhere in Pennsylvania. I had 3 interviews for schools in PA. The interviews went well, but I did not land a job. The reason why they decided not to hire me was because I did not have any experience.

            I decided to place my resume and other information on a website that posted teaching openings across the country. One school in South Carolina called in July, and to be honest, I was extremely excited. I was young and naïve, but more importantly, I was willing to take a teaching job anywhere. My 10 minute phone interview with Estill Elementary School went well (from my perspective at the time, it went as well as a phone interview could go). Before ending our conversation, she offered me a 2^nd grade position. Now, you are probably thinking that this is crazy, but I am not kidding. I did not have any information about the school. I did not know exactly where it was located. What is even crazier is the fact that they offered me the position without ever meeting me in person! However, this is what I wanted. I wanted a teaching job, no matter where it was or how I could make it happen.

            I arrived in South Carolina at the beginning of August. When I first arrived, I was excited and proud. After all, I did it! I rented a small apartment that was a few miles from the school, and I began my in-service meetings. If I could use a word or phrase to explain my experience during the first week of meetings I would have to say ridiculous. Looking back on it now, what was I thinking? I placed myself in an environment that was about 800 miles from PA. The school was disgusting and falling apart. The teachers and administrators were for a lack of a better word unique. More importantly, the southern culture is quite different than the northern culture in many ways. After about a month, I was angry and depressed.

            As the year went on, I began to hate my life. I became very secluded and isolated. On top of that, I drank alcohol just about every night of the week because at the time, it was the only way I could get through it. I would wake up not wanting to drive to school. As I was driving to school, all I could think about was the pain I would be experiencing throughout the day. This chronic loneliness led to psychological distress (Corey and Corey, 2010). It was the lowest I have ever been.

            I liked reading about the difference between loneliness and solitude. Since I focused most of my post on the loneliness I felt in SC, I can comment on the solitude I have in my life today. Although I am still living alone, I am much more content with my life and my career. At night, I enable myself to have time for myself. This time usually involves prayer or reflection. I embrace this solitude because I interact with children and adults for most of my day. It helps rest my body, but also, it helps improve my perspective and attitude.

           

Corey, G. & Corey, M. S. (2010). Your Body and Wellness. In Brooks/Cole (9^th edition), I Never Knew I Had a Choice (106-131). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.