There aren't enough support groups on the planet for this

Judging by comments from my colleagues assembled for our first Writing Wednesday session, we need to establish some support groups to help us all get through the summer. Writing Wednesday works like a writing support group, but what some of us really need is an I-don't-know-what-to-write support group so we can encourage each other to keep going when we're out of ideas and our brains are crowded with other concerns, like campus budget problems, continuing Covid cases, and random mass shootings that make us cry every time we turn on the radio. 

But that's not all! We need more:

A Growing Out Our Bangs support group so we can share strategies on staying sane when yard work sends long strands of sweaty hair into our eyes. Headbands or barrettes? Discuss!

A Dealing with the Loss of Colleagues support group to help us walk that fine line between publicly celebrating the successes of colleagues who have found better jobs elsewhere while privately grieving their loss and wishing we could go away with them. Maybe we can craft spiffy little carrying-cases to hold those unwieldy wads of envy.

A Making Small-Talk with Wretched People support group where we can practice the skills required for random public encounters with the higher-ups who are determined to make our lives miserable. What do we say when we bump up against an intransigent administrator at the Farmers Market when it takes every ounce of self-control to hold back a sharp kick in the shins? What martial art system will help us hold back our kicks?

A Coping with Anxious Offspring support group where we can hold each others' hands when children respond to the horrors of modern life by falling into silence, depression, or eating disorders. Where do we find hope when children lose their joy? Too painful to discuss, so keep the Kleenex handy.

A Support for the Supporters support group where those of us who are trying to support so many others can lay down all responsibility for others' issues and just sit in a pool of our own feelings until someone notices and reaches out a hand. Let's have a pity party! (Be sure to bring along your tiny violin.)