How Not to Lose it Before 7AM - A Survival Guide

Look, I’m not usually one for bumper sticker philosophies, motivational blah blah, or the kind of “Best Teacher Ever” nonsense that gets slapped onto coffee mugs. But let’s be real, some days, we need a little verbal boost, CPR for the soul, if you will.

After a streak of, let’s call them character-building days (mass firing is a thing, who knew), I stumbled upon a reminder that smacked me right in my existential crisis:
I have the power to influence the course of my day.

Wild, right? Turns out, I don’t actually have to let my mood be dictated by rogue Wi-Fi signals, hormonal hurricanes, untimely death knell emails, 6-minute life-changing teams meetings, or authenticator apps...or the sheer absurdity of the human experience. 
Who knew?

But if you’re anything like me, a drama aficionado, a woman who thrives on life’s rollercoaster, then you might need a solid PLAN A to rein in the chaos.

PLAN A: Taming the Drama Queen
Gloves on, Gloves off.

STEP 1: Start the Day with a Smile
Sounds simple? Think again.
First, pry open eyes. Shake off sleep and body paralysis. 

Poke my partner... poke him hard so he wakes up.
Smile at him, eyes half-closed pretending his awake.

Bathroom mirror check:
Yikes, lights off...lights off...
Teeth? Too furry, what did I eat last night?
Lines & wrinkles? More ruled page than blank canvas! 
Eyes? Nope...still blurry.
Splash water. Blink aggressively. Try again.
Phew. We’re back in business.

STEP 2: Cultivate a Calm Mind
A little convincing needed that you’re not actually on the verge of an anxiety attack.
Deep breaths. Inhale, exhale.
Channel my Indian guru, Rajveer.
Check the clock...oh great, twenty minutes till sun up. Stumble toward the coffee machine in the dark my warm feet on cool tiles. I bang my toe into the 2-metre long table, curse wildly like the Southern Suburbs woman I am.
Calmness? Gone.
March to kitchen, grab yogurt, gulp down spoonful's whilst coffee machine comes slowly to life.
And there it is - the whirring, the bubbling, the intoxicating aroma, the frothy goodness pouring into my cup, making it half-full.
I let the moment soak in, the anticipation of the first hot liquid on my tongue...ah, it's the little things.
Suddenly, I am calm. And that’s a freaking miracle.

STEP 3: Keep Emotions Cool 
Purse. Laptop. Phone. 3 bag + 80 unmarked scripts.
Where the hell are my keys?
Immediate crisis mode. Heart rate spikes. Handbag rummaging begins.
Cue him, jingling the keys like he’s in some feel-good commercial.
I should be less mad. I shouldn't be fuming.
Instead, I grab them—maybe a little too slowly, letting my fingers linger on warm skin. Mmmm, well hello, accidental morning flirtation.
Lost keys: Annoying? Yes.
Also: Low-key a blessing in disguise.

STEP 4: Gratitude Like You Mean It
I step outside. The pink light of early morning has settled in the sky. Life hasn’t crumbled. Coffee’s still delish first thing in the morning.
I whisper a quick, Thank you.

Not for the big things. Not for the possible new job/new country, or flights home. 

But for the small things:

For fleeting moments of quiet.

For surprise flirtations.
For not drop-kicking my handbag across the room.

For my 7 years as an expat in Brunei.

For the teachers (expats and locals)  I have come to respect. 

For my students (almost 500 of them over the years) that have made every moment here worthwhile.

And for the opportunity to fulfill my lifelong dream of ending my working life in a classroom!

I know my inner drama queen will make a comeback (probably by noon).
But for now I am overwhelmingly sad that I have to be counting days.

And eternally grateful I got to know the true meaning of "Abode of Peace". 

And isn't it always about the people anyway?

So yay for a pretty solid PLAN A.

However, a wise woman knows to always have a PLAN B.

And honestly?
PLAN B is where the magic happens.
Abracadabra, to my boss babes, we got this!

Terima Kasih, Brunei!
Love,
Cikgu Nariman