So I am one week in and it’s been rollercoaster with this constant dialogue in my head as my over thinking attempts to sabotage Ultra Mel. Melancholy Mel is being a royal pain in the arse trying to undermine Ultra Mel but I am one determined woman and I don’t give up, ever!
I can’t believe it’s only been 1 week since I have resigned. I don’t miss the work but I really miss Isabel. I am going to go over next week so she can tell me to calm the farm and I can tell her straight back. She might need to slap me around a little.
So what have I achieved? Well I have bought and made some cool stuff for my practice. The temptation to buy everything in sight is hard but unfortunately/fortunately I don’t have the money so just starting small. I literally had the most awesome stuff to use from my own kids but everything has been given away over the years or sold at their garage sales for a pittance. I am still hoping friends have kids books and little figurines, dolls, musical instruments or anything really they want to pass on I can use in my practice. Lexi is making my felt superhero cut outs and Claire is hopefully helping me to sew the capes.
I washed all the lego which smelt of cat wee which is disturbing considering I have no such pet! I sorted out my study and have my toys and art supplies in boxes. Sofes and I made a cool feelings game that I am looking forward to trying. You actually don't need much to get started.
I met with an experienced play therapist who was incredibly helpful and generous with her knowledge. I made a google form for the parents to fill out. It also needs some tweaking! I had my 1st 2 sessions at Bright Lights. The space is far from ideal and having a mobile practice requires a lot of thinking and planning. One kid left mid session but that in itself is a breakthrough as things got a little real for him.
Most importantly I visited a wonderful small school that would love to have me 2 days a week working with their kids. Some pro bono and hopefully some paying clients. I do need to earn an income at the end of the day but I also have another idea for something on the side and met with a good mate this week to see if we can partner together to make some magic happen.
I fluctuate being terrified and overwhelmed filled with doubt and then excited and driven and knowing my very best self is when I work with children. 14 years ago I started Bosom Buddies which was meant to be my new mothers support group re breastfeeding advice, weighing etc. of babes. I spent all my money and all my brave and it failed. But…as most of you know the charity side of it flew and I founded and grew this incredible NPO which still thrives today as Mama Themba so it’s a reminder. Reminder success is not always what we originally planned. I not only made nothing from Bosom Buddies, I spent thousands keeping it going. This time around I have been more careful with the name and bought saywithplay.com and saywithplay.co.za
So what will happen with Say With Play? Will I grow it and have my own premises and feel equipped and confident and be able to register with medical aid and earn a decent income? Because that is what I really want. Or will it become another non profit where I train other volunteers and we start a free therapy NPO for the thousands of traumatized children in our country? Both are big and scary and both fit my criteria of what I categorize as success. Fulfilling my potential, stretching myself to learn and grow, and making a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children dealing with trauma. Gary has only just started his business and Daniel is a fresh one year in so if it’s the NPO then they will need to make a truck load of cash so money is not an issue. Although having my own money was awesome so option 1 please! I want this business to be successful. I will get there. Maybe not in 1 week but I will get there.