First things first (I'm the realest) I absolutely love being a Peer Educator, like a real certified peer educator with a certificate to prove it. If you know me you probably know that I am not much of a people person so this might come as a surprise to you but I truly do love being able to lend a hand to help or ear to listen to, for anyone that may need it. If my arch nemesis (yes I have some) came up to me and asked for my help for something that I am trained to help with, I would In a heart beat, no doubt about it. I want to make the world a better place, no matter how cliché that may sound.
Lets get right into it though. I am no angel by any standards and being a peer educator does not by any means, require me to be so. Being a peer educator does not mean I am anti anything, though there are some things I'm very much against, those opinions were instilled in me long before I decided to become certified. I get questions asked all the time like "aren't you really against drinking and drugs", and yes I am against the abuse of alcohol and some drugs but that does not mean I am against them entirely. I don't care if you have a single drink or five, as long as you are being safe about what you are doing, then that is all I care about. I want to make sure you are getting home safe and sound. I don't want you to get sick every time you go out to the bar or drink with friends in your home but that doesn't mean I care if you drink. I myself have drank, and does that make me a bad person? No not at all. I feel as though I have all the tools and knowledge to keep myself safe while consuming alcohol and that is perfectly fine. That does not mean I'm a bad person or a bad peer educator and I should be revoked of my certification.
I have made plenty of mistakes in my life but does that mean I am not equipped to help others? Nope. Do I sometimes need to take a step back and help myself before I help others though, yes definitely. Being a peer educator can be physically and mentally exhausting and I have to know when its time to take a step back from it all and check in on myself. I have to know what I can handle and what I cannot.
Furthermore again I say I truly do love being a peer educator and just because I have a drink in my hand doesn't mean I am a bad person or a crappy peer educator. I can love helping others and the taste of Riesling wine.
So cheers to all my tipsy peer educators!
