Do you ever get that prickly feeling? You know, when the littlest things get under your skin, rub you the wrong way, creating an irritation that you can’t seem to shake?

Maybe it was the fire alarm with its robotic voice demanding that I leave the building. Of course that was once a colleague knocked persistently on my office door to alert me since the announcement was only audible in the hallways and not in the offices.

I didn’t even hesitate. I packed my things, locked my office, walked down five flights of stairs (“Do not use the elevator,” the voice reminded!), got in my car and headed home. (I know, what a luxury to be able to work from home when chased out of my office–and it’s Spring Break at the university so my colleagues were mostly absent.). Of course, in that fit of annoyance, I forgot about the Zoom call I had scheduled! Luckily, that colleague was flexible and forgiving and we were able to fit it in once I got home.

The pins and needles of the to-do list loomed. Emails needed sending, reports needed reading, an agenda needed planning…and then there’s the article I haven’t gotten back to. And I almost forgot–that “abusive behavior in the workplace” training module that I have pushed to the bottom of the list right up to the deadline (which was today).

But, the house was quiet and my meeting load was lighter than usual (thank you UC Spring Break). As I crossed item after item off the list, those pokes and prods lessened and I began to appreciate the beauty and functionality of those pesky prickly spines.

Of course, there are still items that need doing. And…my own Spring Break begins once school ends tomorrow! Now to switch hats, finish my lesson plans, get that newsletter written, schedule the parent email… Wait…I think that prickly feeling is getting under my skin again!