The Real Girl Diaries: Episode 3

Do I remember life before the internet? Babe, I barely remember life before graduation

“How to Look Like a Boss When You Mentally Haven’t Clocked In Since 2023”

(Also starring: a very tired but fabulous primary school English teacher.)

Someone recently asked me,

“Do you remember life before the internet?”

And I said,

“Do I remember life before the internet? Babe, I barely remember life before graduation… in 2023.” 🎓

I was fresh out of university, full of dreams, Pinterest boards, and false confidence.

Now? I’m a primary school English teacher, teaching kids how to say “I have a pencil” while I silently forget if I had breakfast.

☕ Reality check:

I mentally haven’t clocked in since the day I wore a graduation cap and thought I’d have a skincare routine by now.

And yet… I show up. I teach. I correct “She go to school” 473 times a week.

And somehow I still manage to look like a boss.

(Fake it till you make it? No honey — fake it till the summer break.)

Here’s how I keep the illusion alive:

🧥 1. The Power Combo: Blazer + Chaos

Pro tip: Throw on a blazer over any outfit and you immediately look like you mean business.

Doesn’t matter if you’re wearing leggings and yesterday’s stress underneath — no one will know.

Add coffee in hand = teacher on a mission.

📚 2. Classroom Confidence = Life Confidence

If I can keep 20 kids from throwing glue sticks at each other while teaching present continuous,

I can answer that email I’ve been ignoring for a week.

(I probably won’t, but I could, and that’s what matters.)

📉 3. Accept That Your Last Clear Thought Was in 2023

Graduation was cute.

Now I live on lesson plans, low battery mode, and caffeine-based survival.

But hey — I may be emotionally buffering, but I’m doing it in style.

💅 4. Delulu, but Make It Functional

I whisper daily affirmations like:

“I am a confident, capable adult.” “My students love me and I totally remembered to send that report.” “Just because I’ve mentally checked out doesn’t mean I can’t look expensive.”

And somehow, it works. Or at least no one’s noticed yet.

So what’s the takeaway?

I graduated in 2023.

I’ve been emotionally clocked out ever since.

But I’m a young teacher, showing up for my kids, my goals, and my sanity (in that order).

And THAT, my friend, is boss behavior.

Even if I occasionally cry in the teacher’s bathroom during recess.

Next up on The Real Girl Diaries:

“Meal Prepping for the Emotionally Unavailable”

(Subtitle: Mostly snacks. Zero commitment.)