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This past week I was at the UGA Cotton and Peanut Field Day, talking about farm stress. It was a great day, and I was able to have some stunningly candid conversations with people about stress, suicide, the need to reach out when you need help, and the importance of checking on each other and providing a listening ear.
Amazing day—thank you everyone.
One of the things that struck me that day was how much people cared about each other, and how willing they were to give each other grace. Growers, industry people, Extension people—everyone talked about wanting to be there as a sympathetic listener if someone needed them. Everyone wanted to be their brother’s keeper in the kind and caring sense of the phrase.
The other thing that struck me was how little people talked about what they themselves needed. Everyone was great about supporting others. Supporting themselves—not so much.
We need to give ourselves the same grace we give each other. That means being ok with letting yourself take a break when you need it…and being ok with admitting that you are not ok.
One of our students, Elizabeth Abati, developed some beautiful posters to convey this message. I’ve posted some of them in this blog.
Please remember their messages—it is ok to take a break, and it is ok to not be ok. These things are essential to thriving!
