Tolerance Levels

This past week, I have been sick with a sinus infection and bronchitis brought on by my allergies (yes, again). I usually push through and continue my routine - but with the fever, coughing, and headache, I found that nearly impossible this time. (I actually left early on Thursday & closed the Center on Friday.) What I especially became aware of is how low my tolerance levels are when I am sick - but then I realized it also extends to any time I am feeling exceedingly overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious. And the "aha" moment came when I clearly understood that it was directly related to my neurodivergence.

The best way to describe it is that (even on a good day) it feels like every nerve fiber lies exposed on the surface of my skin, and the slightest disturbance sends them all into chaos. So when I feel swamped (by any of the thousands of things), it is not just a mental "thing" - but very much physical. Hence, my tolerance levels plummet.

I call it my "tell it like it is” mode because I am brutally honest in those moments. It is like my brain needs to block everything but the essential information and I don't have the capacity to filter or equivocate. If I am feeling frustrated or overwhelmed - you will hear some truths. I try hard to come from a place of empathy and frame everything in kindness - admittedly, not always successfully.

I find it amusing that sarcasm is my superpower. I often joke that I will make a #Sarcasm shirt for the days I want to warn folks that I am feeling particularly spicy. Yet, I frequently miss the subtleties of satirical humor.

Reflecting, I don't think defaulting to my "tell it like it is" mode is necessarily wrong or bad. (It definitely beats my "shutdown" or "avoidance" mode. However, we won't count the excruciating number of mortifying times I have wished I had just shut up - after the fact.) Cutting through the BS to the bare essence of whatever we are dealing with is crucial to any issue or relationship. And although I appreciate an aesthetic as much as anyone else, I will not make something pretty just for the sake of prettiness or ease. I am your "go-to" person if you seek realness and unbridled candor magnified through a lens of compassion and served with a side of (cheeky) sarcasm.

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DRC News

DRC is transitioning our Massena Center to the DRC Pop-Up program in September. Any homeschooling family who follows a mostly self-directed (unschooling) philosophy is welcome to join us two days a week - 3 or 4 hours each to socialize, work on collaborative projects, and get mentoring support at various locations around the greater Massena area.

Please get in touch if your business or organization would be interested in hosting a DRC Pop-Up in the fall.

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Help Wanted

We are terminating the lease on our Massena Center at 47 Perkins Dr. on May 31st. This means we have one week to pack up, empty, and clean the space after our last day on May 24th.

Please let us know if you are available to help with this endeavor. All hands are appreciated - including the kiddos.

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Our Week

As mentioned, it was an off week at Canton - therefore, we didn't get many photos. I am on the mend, so hopefully, we will make up for it this coming week.

The Massena Center had a full week ending with a birthday celebration on Friday - donuts were the choice of birthday sweets. Yum! Happy Bday, JT.