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By Jarrod Walker Staff Writer
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nce I started attending Housatonic, I to ever finish. Then, one day she told me one of the greatest pieces of immediately felt like my life was advice I had ever heard in my life. improving. I was back in “How do you eat an elephant?” is what she asked me. I had school, learning what no idea how to respond. I thought she was just messing with I love, interacting with people me, so I asked, “How?” And that’s when she told me, in my community, and feeling “One bite at a time.” overall hopeful for the future. For a year or two, it felt like Lisa Slade taught me that the best way to deal nothing could touch me. with way too many problems in your life is to Unfortunately, though, tackle them one at a time. It might take a while, becoming an adult is never but pacing yourself and allowing yourself to move that easy. As I grew into my through life on your own schedule is the best thing twenties I came face to face you can do for your well being. with new, difficult realities. I This November, I’m thankful for Lisa and all the had bills to pay, couldn’t rely knowledge and compassion she’s given me these on my parents for everything, past few months. Our conversations have taught me and was struggling with my how to better deal with my problems, love myself, and mental health in a fast paced have changed my life for the better. world that wasn’t getting better any time soon. On top of my schoolwork, it felt at times that life was slowly becoming Photo by Nicholas Bartos impossible. It was at this point I knew I on Unsplash. had to do something. At first, I wasn’t so sure about “The road ahead is long, but you’ll be glad you stopped to ask for help.” HCC’s counseling services. Back in high school I had spoken to counselors about different things, but nothing quite like what I was dealing with now. It all felt very overwhelming, and I was reluctant about turning to someone else to help me with my problems. But, after meeting Lisa Slade, Housatonic’s Director of Counseling and Wellness, I was pleasantly surprised. I started talking to Lisa Slade this summer after I reached one of my lowest points. I honestly didn’t know what anyone could do for me, feeling like I was a lost cause who simply had too much on his plate
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