Taking a Break

3/23/2015

It's been a rough year, to say the least, but also a great year. Lately, however, some of the bad has begun to outweigh the good, tarnishing the shiny bits of my life that I cherish.

So, it's with a heavy heart that I announce that I'll be taking a break from my website. I will finish the reviews that need to be published, but after that, I hope to rest. I love my site and the idea of sharing ideas with such amazing colleagues. The problem is my stress level. At this point, my family and my school need a more relaxed me. The pressure of this website has just become too much and hasn't been as fun as it used to be. Recently, I have lost sleep and had a resurgence in anxiety - my perfectionism, my negative self-talk, and my insecurities have woken up with a vengeance, like the three-headed dog at Hogwarts.

In the end, I have to do what's right for my family, my friends, my school, and myself and lull that dog back to sleep. I may be back, but I'm not in a place to make promises. Thank you for your support over the years. Best of luck to all of you!

88 Comments

Kris B

3/23/2015 12:32:14 pm

You have given so much and been such an inspiration to so many peopleI. I am so grateful for all of the ideas that I have received from your fabulous blog. Our job is emotionally draining without all of the demands of your website. I really don't know how you have done this for this long. Take care of yourself and Thank you!

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:45:35 pm

Thank you so much, Kris! :)

Yvette Carter

3/23/2015 12:38:59 pm

Thanks for sharing your creative knowledge and wisdom. We will miss you!!

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:45:07 pm

Thank you, Yvette! :)

Claudette

3/23/2015 12:57:12 pm

Marissa,

As a 2nd year counselor I have enjoyed your blog. I have gained a lot of insightful information. Take your time and decompress. Find your happy.

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:44:44 pm

Thank you! Glad to hear that! :)

Ingrid

3/23/2015 12:57:17 pm

Thank you for teaching me so much as an intern and a new social worker. I will continue to love your site but every one needs a vacation and to have some fun.

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:44:02 pm

Thank you for understanding! :)

Cindy Povall

3/23/2015 01:45:46 pm

Dear Marissa,
I wanted to take time to let you know how much I have enjoyed your blog and web site. I appreciate the time, energy and knowledge you have shared. Please take time for yourself. If we do not take care of ourselves, we really haven't much to give when caring for others. As school counselors we spend most of our day caring for others at school and at home. I hope you find time for massage, meditation, exercise or whatever relaxes and rejuvenates you. You have done an awesome job sharing important school counseling thoughts, again thank you! Take care of yourself. Cindy

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:43:36 pm

Thank you, Cindy! I've enjoyed the much-needed break :)

Jessica Gambrel link

3/23/2015 04:07:08 pm

That's terrible :( Please always take care of YOU first. There's nothing worse than giving everything you have and being left with anxiety or despair. I can tell that you give more of yourself to your school than many of the best counselors I've ever known! I'm really going to miss reading about your adventures in elementary counseling. Please consider popping back from time to time when things have settled. Your website is so inspirational to me and has fueled my desire to become a counselor for 3 years now! I'm trucking along in my program and hope to graduate around this time next year - but I don't know if it would have been the same experience without you! :) Your passion gives me hope for my future and I can only dream of being as innovative and inspiring as you are. I hope you find the peace of mind you're looking for. Thanks for sharing your life, lessons, and creations! You've impacted my life more than you'll ever know :)

God bless

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:43:02 pm

Thank you so much! I hope to add more material soon, but we'll see :)

Kristy Molina

3/23/2015 07:29:14 pm

I just want you to know what a blessing your website has been to me! You have such awesome ideas & do an incredible job. I will definitely miss it. I wish you all the best & hope that you return soon. The school counseling world needs you!

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:41:43 pm

Thank you! I may be adding new material soon, but we'll see :)

Lisa Landy

3/23/2015 08:10:03 pm

Marissa,
I am so sad to hear your news and I will miss your website so much. It has always been a great resource and I appreciate the time you have invested in it. Your are making the right decision to focus on dealing with your anxiety. I have been there myself and it is not an easy task, but I have complete confidence that you will recover from this struggle. Someday in the not too distant future, you will look back and be able to identify what this difficult time has taught you. You may even feel grateful for the greater insight it has offered you about life.

As a recovering perfectionist and an individual who has been fluent in negative self talk, please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and things will get better. Take care of yourself.

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:41:11 pm

Thank you so much, Lisa! That means a lot. :)

tim

3/23/2015 08:50:32 pm

I am sorry to hear about your anxiety. You website has provided
Me numerous resources. Will you leave up your materials?

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:39:50 pm

Thank you, and yes, they are staying up.

Laurie Mendoza

3/23/2015 09:40:09 pm

Sad for us, but I think we can all relate. Best wishes!

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:39:24 pm

Thanks! :)

Danica link

3/23/2015 10:44:44 pm

I completely understand your decision! I am a K-4 school counselor, a wife, and a mom.. I barely have time to sit down! I have used your website many times to help come up with lessons. You have great ideas!!! Thank you and will miss you!

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:39:06 pm

Thank you! I've been learning how to be a better juggler. :)

Traci link

3/24/2015 02:55:18 am

Good for you! Of course we will miss hearing your awesome ideas, but you've got to put your family first :) Best of luck!

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:38:30 pm

Thank you! :)

Daralglick

3/24/2015 09:32:06 am

Wishing you joy- thanks for everything you have shared!!!

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:38:04 pm

Thank you! Wishing you joy as well :)

Lesley

3/24/2015 09:51:40 am

So important for counselors to care for themselves as well. I love your website and the many resources it provides. Best of luck to you! Thank you for sharing your insight to so many!

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:37:38 pm

So true! And thank you!

Cacie

3/24/2015 10:58:08 am

Thank you for so many years of creativity and resources! As counselors, we know that taking care of ourself is just as important as taking care of those we love. Best of luck to you!

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:37:14 pm

Thank you!! :)

Laura

3/24/2015 11:33:30 am

Marissa, I wanted to say how much I appreciate your honesty and forthcomingness about your stress and anxiety. It's a sign of emotional and mental health to admit your not perfect and to take the breaks you need. I wish you peace!

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:36:44 pm

Thank you! I've been feeling a lot better. :)

Bronwyn Worthington

3/24/2015 05:24:23 pm

I hope I can encourage you by letting you know today on my 40th b-day I was accepted int grad school! Watching your u-tube video and seeing your blog helped inspire me to pursue a career in school counseling! Blessings on your journey ahead and thanks for making a difference!

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:36:11 pm

That's awesome! Thank you so much for sharing that with me. :)

Lynnea Johnson

3/25/2015 06:03:20 am

Marissa,

You have poured so much into SO many for years. I must say, I am proud of you for making this decision (although you will be missed). How can we be helpful when we don't take the time to help ourselves. Take care of you, your family and any other priorities in your life right now. You have been a GREAT resource to me as a new school counselor. I'm praying for you and that even through this you come through stronger and ready to hit the ground running with whatever you are destined to do.

Some things are for a season and although that can be hard to accept, it is true.

God bless,

Lynnea

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:34:06 pm

Thank you, Lynnea! That is very kind of you. :)

Kay

3/26/2015 08:42:57 am

We understand. Take care of yourself and thank you for you have done

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:33:32 pm

Thank you :)

Leah M

3/26/2015 10:00:24 am

Dear Ms. Rex,

I am very sorry to hear that your website will be on hiatus. I just wanted to take this time to let you know what a tremendous help you have been to my first year as a school counselor. I have visited your blog countless times in the past few months for ideas and inspiration. I hope that the good starts to outweigh the bad again very soon and that the rest of your school year is awesome! Thanks for everything! -Leah

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:33:12 pm

Thank you, Leah! I'm feeling much more relaxed. :)

Bethany Fitzroy

3/26/2015 08:48:54 pm

I definitely understand Marissa! I was amazed that you were able to do it for so long! I just wanted to say thank you for all of your posts. This was my first year as an elementary school counselor and your site has been very helpful! Thank you!

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:32:37 pm

Thank you, Bethany! I appreciate that :)

Angela

3/27/2015 04:18:07 am

You do have to do what's best for you. I have had a very similar experience this school year, so I get it! I hope this year ends on a very positive note for you and thank you so much for all the wonderful resources you've shared. I love your blog!

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:32:11 pm

Thank you, Angela! That means a lot :)

Allison

3/27/2015 08:59:01 am

I want to take this opportunity to say thanks. I'm a new counselor, and your website has been invaluable to me this year as I plan lessons and small groups for my elementary students. You have such creative and engaging ideas!

I wish you all the best for the future. :)

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:31:42 pm

Thank you so much, Allison! :)

Kim

3/30/2015 02:18:04 am

Marissa, I'm sorry to hear that you will be taking a break from your website. I must say I have gotten many valuable ideas and lessons from your site that I greatly appreciate and will miss. Will your site still be able to be viewed or accessed? I wish you luck and hope that things calm down for you and your stress level diminshes.

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:31:19 pm

Thank you and yes, still available. :)

shauneen

4/1/2015 05:13:38 am

will you site still be up and running during your time of recouping? I just found your site and I am excited to begin planning for next year (I am an elementary school counselor , too)
I hope and pray you reconnect with what's important to you!
Shauneen

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:30:53 pm

Yes, it's still up and running. Thank you :)

Laurie

4/2/2015 12:56:18 am

I will miss your amazing ideas!

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:30:21 pm

Thank you, Laurie! I may start adding new things soon, but we'll see. :)

Bridget Helms

4/6/2015 12:09:33 am

Marissa,

We truly appreciate the resources you have provided over the past years! It is understandable that you need this break. When life starts getting a little too full, we have to look at what are our most important people and things in life. We have to put family first; that is a given. Next, we have to remember why we do this job day in and day out and put that at the top of the list too. You have to be able to be there for your students and faculty members. I hope you are able to lull that dog back to sleep and find the much needed break you deserve! Much thanks again for your devotion to our career field and the resources you have provided us!

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:29:48 pm

Thank you so much, Bridget! :)

Diana link

4/7/2015 03:48:08 am

I just found you, and I would really, really, really miss you! You've changed the way I see school psychology - much more games and stickers and fun and much less statistics, tests and surveys. Thank you so much!

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:29:24 pm

Thank you, Diana! I may get back to it soon, but we'll see. :)

Barbara link

4/10/2015 10:21:30 am

Unplugging from our devices and plugging in to what really matters is not only courageous, it's self-care at its finest. Kindness to self = priceless! EnJOY your break, basking in the glow of all the gratitude I'm sending your way.

Barbara

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:28:56 pm

Thank you!!! :)

Jeannie Maddox link

4/19/2015 06:06:10 am

You have done an outstanding job of bringing resources and ideas to School Counselors. You have inspired me to share and start a blog myself. I have raised my family and I understand your need to step away and take care of your family, friends and your school. Family must always come first, especially when you are raising children. There will come a time again in your career when you will have time for outside pursuits. For now rest, renew, and enjoy your family and make precious memories with them. Take care of yourself and your loved ones.

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:28:34 pm

Thank you, Jeannie! The break has been very helpful. :)

Tanya

4/19/2015 09:33:25 am

I so understand and am sorry the going has been tough for you. You have so much information and many ideas on your website it will be easy to come back often to access all of it. Take your time to find a healthy balance and hopefully someday we will get to benefit once more from your ingenuity and generosity through this blog!

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:28:03 pm

Thank you so much, Tanya! :)

Kim

5/2/2015 06:00:07 am

Will your website continue to be up for us to view? I use your site religiously and it has been such a huge help to me during my first year as an elementary school counselor.

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:27:38 pm

Yes, it's staying up. :)

Heather Heidt

5/13/2015 02:08:28 pm

I have enjoyed your website as I get started doing this important work! I hope your website will continue to be up for a little while? I have really valued the work you've shared and I am so grateful that you've shared it with "us." I recently made a change in my life to reduce stress, so I completely understand your need to de-stress! Best wishes and enjoy your family!
H

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:27:13 pm

Yes, everything will stay up. I may get back to blogging a bit, but we'll see. :)

Crystal

5/20/2015 04:00:25 am

Thank you for the wonderful ideas! I have used many of your forms and ideas this year. Very creative and user friendly!

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:26:31 pm

Thank you, Crystal! Glad to help!

Noelia Sanchez

8/4/2015 11:07:05 pm

I hope that you have rested and feel better. Your website is so awesome and amazing. I use so many of your ideas. Thank You so so much!

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:19:21 pm

Thank you, Noelia! I am feeling much better. :)

Lois Ross

8/17/2015 04:14:02 am

I want to thank you for the years of your fabulous blog. Your lessons have transformed my Guidance classes. Thank you for your creativity and talent. Good luck, and take care of yourself!

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:19:45 pm

Thank you so much, Lois!

Wanda Randgaard

8/17/2015 09:29:54 am

Take care of yourself. You have offered me more than you will ever know. Thanks for honoring our profession!

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:20:12 pm

Thank you, Wanda! That means a lot. :)

Samantha

8/24/2015 01:03:18 am

Marissa,

I am starting a job as an elementary school counselor this year (in fact, right now!) and I want to let you know that your website is SO helpful, even if you stop updating it. I really appreciate the time you took to put all of this together for the world to use. I hope that this break is what you need to tame that three-headed dog of yours. Sending positive vibes from Michigan!

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 05:16:34 pm

Thank you so much, Samantha!

Lisa Russell

11/21/2015 12:10:44 pm

Yay for you! THank you for your honesty. I am also a school counselor and a mother of a special needs child. I can barely get my own job done much less come home and work with my son on homework, make dinner, get my own homework done and take care of my home. I don't know how anyone runs a blog at all! I wish you the best, and thank you for the great info you put out there!!

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 12:13:09 pm

Thank you so much, Lisa! :)

Gina Crabtree link

11/23/2015 06:39:26 am

I just want to thank you so much for all of your hard work that you have so obviously put into your blog. I ran across your site a couple years ago, and it inspired me to start my own! I sure hope things are getting better for you, and you are seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. If not, just know that your contributions to this profession are unmatched, and a true blessing for this counselor! Thanks for all you do. Keep smiling, and I'll be thinking of you! Have a great day!

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 12:12:32 pm

Thank you so much, Gina! :)

Kristina

4/21/2016 10:17:52 am

You are wonderful!! This site has been an absolute blessing to me. I really appreciate all the hard work that you do and have put into this site. Self care is important too! I hope you use this time to get rest, and re focus on the amazing person that you are!! Best of luck to you!!

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 12:01:53 pm

Thank you so much, Kristina! It's been very beneficial for me. :)

Alana Cummings link

5/31/2016 03:08:12 pm

Hi Marissa, I have been thinking about you and hoping that all is well.
From one mom, elementary school counselor, wife and human, to another....I am there with you. I sometimes even google things like, "stressed out mom" or "sometimes my kids drive me crazy", just to find other moms out there that are going through what I am going through.
Your website saved me in my first years as an elementary counselor. Your ideas, insights and resources.... I still use to this day. I'm not writing in hopes that you will come back to your website, I am writing to thank you for all you have already done. It is a great thing to pass the baton.
Take care,
Alana

Marissa Rex link

7/5/2016 12:00:58 pm

Thank you so much, Alana! I'm doing very well and have considered adding some new material to my site this summer. I'll see how I feel, but I'm glad what's already up has been helpful. :)

Barbara Altman link

7/9/2016 07:12:23 pm

I love your website. It's so colorful and full of good information.

Marissa Rex link

3/12/2017 01:34:58 pm

Thank you so much! :)

Yvette

8/12/2016 01:27:06 pm

Take care of you! Rest and enjoy your life. I really appreciate the resources you have here--your site is always one of my first stops when I'm looking for ideas.

Marissa Rex link

3/12/2017 01:28:58 pm

Thank you, Yvette! :)

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