(Reflection, Math, Fitness) Assistant Manager, Informal Caretaker
I was nineteen when I dropped out of community college. It wasn't dramatic—no big moment of rebellion or crisis. I just couldn't see the point anymore. The lectures felt hollow, the assignments arbitrary. I was spending money I didn't have to sit in rooms where nobody seemed to care whether I understood anything or not.
So I left. Started working full-time at Brennan's Department Store, where I'd been part-time since high school. Within eight months, they made me assistant manager of housewares and essentials. It wasn't glamorous, but it was mine. I had a section, a team, responsibilities that felt real.
That's where I met Mitchell.
He came in on a Tuesday afternoon, pushing a cart filled with Pampers, Gerber baby food, and several cans of formula. He was maybe in his mid-twenties, soft-spoken, with this careful way of moving through the aisles like he was trying not to disturb the air itself.
I was restocking shelf liners when I noticed him struggling to reach a box of wipes on the top shelf. I grabbed it for him.
"Thanks," he said quietly, placing it in his cart with the precision of someone completing a ritual.
"No problem," I said, then paused. The cart's contents nagged at me. "You got a little one at home?"
He looked at me for a long moment, then shook his head. "They're for me."
I must have looked confused because he continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "I have schizoaffective disorder. I'm in regressive therapy. My therapist says it helps me process trauma from when I was younger. So I... I live as a younger age sometimes."
I didn't know what to say. I nodded slowly. "That's... okay. Whatever helps, man."
He smiled—small, grateful—and checked out.
But he kept coming back. Every week, sometimes twice a week. Always the same section, always the same types of items. And gradually, we started talking. He told me more about his condition, about how the world felt too big and too loud sometimes, about how regressing helped him feel safe.
I don't know exactly when it happened, but somewhere along the way, I started feeling responsible for him. Not in a condescending way—at least, I didn't think so. More like... he needed someone, and I was there. He didn't have family nearby. His caseworker checked in once a month. His therapist saw him weekly. But day-to-day? He was alone.
So I became something like a caretaker. Informal. Unplanned. But real.
It was about three months in when I noticed something that bothered me.
Mitchell came through my line with his usual items, but mixed in were things that didn't fit. A young adult novel. A smartphone case. A bag of gourmet coffee.
I rang them up without comment, but it stuck with me. That night, after my shift, I texted him. We'd exchanged numbers by then.
Hey, can I come by? Want to talk about something.
He said yes.
His apartment was small but tidy—childproofed in ways that made sense now. Outlet covers, corner guards, a playpen in the living room. He answered the door in footed pajamas, clutching a stuffed rabbit.
"Hey, buddy," I said, keeping my tone gentle. "Can we sit and talk for a minute?"
He nodded and led me to the couch.
I sat across from him, choosing my words carefully. "Mitchell, I noticed some of the things you bought today. The book, the phone case, the coffee."
He looked down, fidgeting with the rabbit's ear.
"I just want to make sure you're staying consistent with your therapy, okay? I think... I think it might help if we set some boundaries. Just so you're not confusing yourself."
He looked up at me, eyes wide and uncertain.
"From now on," I continued, "when you come into the store, I'd like you to only shop in certain departments. The ones that fit where you are right now. Baby items, toddler toys, kids' clothes—stuff that's appropriate for ages two to seven. Nothing higher than that. Does that make sense?"
He was quiet for a long moment. Then he nodded slowly.
"I'm not trying to control you," I said, though even as I said it, I wondered if that was true. "I just want to help you stay safe. Stay in the space that's helping you heal."
"Okay," he whispered. "Thank you for caring."
I left his apartment that night feeling a strange mix of pride and unease. I'd taken charge. I'd set a boundary. I was helping.
But as I drove home through the dark streets, a question lingered in the back of my mind, one I wasn't ready to answer:
Whose needs was I really serving—his, or mine?
Essay Prompt: Designing a Shopping Plan for Mitchell
You are the 19-year-old assistant manager from the story above. Mitchell has agreed to follow your guidance about shopping only in departments with items suitable for ages 3-7. You want to create a clear, structured plan that will help him stay consistent with his regressive therapy while ensuring he has everything he needs.
Questions to Address:
1. Which specific departments and product categories in the store should Mitchell be allowed to shop in, and why are these appropriate for his therapeutic needs?
2. What items or departments should be off-limits, and what is your reasoning for these restrictions?
3. How will you monitor and enforce this plan while maintaining Mitchell's dignity and sense of autonomy? What will you do if he selects items outside the approved categories?
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Sample Response (Paragraph 1):
Mitchell should primarily shop in the children's clothing section (sizes 3T-7), the toy department focusing on age-appropriate items like building blocks, stuffed animals, coloring books, and simple puzzles, and the baby/toddler essentials aisle for items like training pants, sippy cups, and child-safe dishware. These departments align with his regressive therapy by providing items that reinforce the age range his therapist has identified as therapeutic. The clothing will be comfortable and appropriate for someone living as a younger age, while the toys offer healthy outlets for play and emotional processing without being too complex or stimulating. The essentials ensure his daily living needs are met in ways that support rather than contradict his therapeutic regression. I would also include the children's book section, specifically board books and early readers, as these provide entertainment and comfort without introducing content meant for older audiences that might pull him out of his regressive state.
Sample Response (Paragraph 2):
Mitchell should avoid the electronics department, adult clothing, the coffee and gourmet food sections, young adult and adult literature, and any products marketed toward teenagers or adults. My reasoning is that these items create cognitive dissonance with his therapy—they require him to engage with the world as an adult, which contradicts the purpose of his regression. Items like smartphones, mature books, or sophisticated food products demand adult decision-making and responsibilities that his therapist is specifically trying to help him step away from temporarily. Additionally, I would restrict access to media (movies, video games) rated above G or early-PG, as content designed for older audiences could introduce themes of violence, romance, or complex social situations that aren't appropriate for the headspace he's trying to maintain. By eliminating these options, I'm helping create clear boundaries that protect the therapeutic environment his doctor has established, reducing confusion and helping him feel secure in his regression.
Sample Response (Paragraph 3):
To monitor this plan respectfully, I would first have a conversation with Mitchell where we walk through the store together and I show him exactly which aisles and sections are part of his approved shopping areas, perhaps even creating a simple map with pictures that he can keep. I'd let my team know that Mitchell is a regular customer with special needs and that if they see him in other departments, they should gently redirect him to me rather than confronting him directly. If I notice him selecting inappropriate items, I would approach him calmly and privately, reminding him of our agreement by saying something like, "Hey buddy, remember we talked about keeping your shopping in the kids' sections? Let's put this back and find something better for you." I would maintain a warm, supportive tone rather than a punitive one, treating it as a gentle correction rather than a scolding. To preserve his autonomy, I'd offer choices within the approved categories—"Would you like the blue sippy cup or the red one?"—so he still feels he's making his own decisions. If he repeatedly struggles with the boundaries, I would suggest we contact his therapist together to make sure my plan aligns with her professional guidance, ensuring I'm truly helping rather than overstepping.
Essay Prompt: The Stroller Question
You are the 19-year-old assistant manager from the story. Over the past several months, you have taken on an informal caretaker role for Mitchell, a man in his mid-twenties with schizoaffective disorder who is undergoing regressive therapy. You have already established guidelines for which departments and items are appropriate for him to shop for (ages 3-7), and Mitchell has been compliant and grateful for your structure and guidance.
Recently, you've been observing Mitchell during his shopping trips and have noticed several concerns. He sometimes wanders away from the approved departments when distracted. He occasionally appears overwhelmed by the size of the store and the crowds, leading to visible anxiety. You've seen him sit down in the aisles when he becomes tired or overstimulated. Other customers have given him strange looks, and you worry about both his safety and his emotional well-being during these episodes.
After researching age-appropriate behaviors for children ages 3-7 and consulting parenting resources about managing young children in public spaces, you've come to a conclusion: Mitchell should be pushed in a stroller when he comes to the department store.
You recognize this is a significant step that will be highly visible and may draw attention. You also understand this will require Mitchell's consent and possibly input from his therapist. However, you believe the benefits outweigh the concerns.
Your Task:
Write a comprehensive 1500-word essay arguing why Mitchell should be pushed in a stroller during his department store visits. Your essay should be persuasive, thoughtful, and demonstrate genuine concern for Mitchell's well-being while acknowledging the complexity of this decision.
Your essay must address the following questions:
1. Safety and Supervision: How does using a stroller address safety concerns you've observed during Mitchell's shopping trips? Consider issues like wandering, getting lost, potential accidents, and maintaining appropriate boundaries within the store environment.
2. Therapeutic Consistency: How does stroller use align with Mitchell's regressive therapy and the age range (3-7) you've established for his shopping behavior? What developmental and behavioral norms for this age group support your recommendation?
3. Emotional and Psychological Benefits: In what ways might being pushed in a stroller reduce Mitchell's anxiety, overstimulation, or emotional distress during shopping trips? How might it provide comfort and security?
4. Practical Considerations: What are the logistical aspects of implementing this plan? Consider what type of stroller would be appropriate, who would push it, how it would be stored, and how shopping would be conducted while Mitchell is seated.
5. Social and Public Perception: How do you address the reality that Mitchell is an adult man who will be visibly using a stroller in public? What concerns might arise from other customers or staff, and how would you handle them? How do you balance Mitchell's therapeutic needs with social norms?
6. Autonomy and Dignity: How do you reconcile this recommendation with Mitchell's autonomy as an adult? What steps would you take to ensure he doesn't feel humiliated or infantilized beyond what is therapeutic? How would you present this idea to him?
7. Boundaries of Your Role: As an informal caretaker without professional training, how do you justify making this recommendation? Should you involve Mitchell's therapist or caseworker in this decision? What are the limits of your authority and responsibility?
8. Alternative Solutions Considered: What other interventions did you consider before arriving at the stroller solution, and why did you determine they would be insufficient? This demonstrates you've thought critically about less restrictive options.
Essay Structure Guidelines:
- Introduction (150-200 words): Establish the context of your relationship with Mitchell, summarize the concerns you've observed, and clearly state your thesis that Mitchell should use a stroller during department store visits.
- Body Paragraphs (1100-1200 words): Develop your argument by addressing the questions above. Use specific examples from your observations of Mitchell, reference age-appropriate developmental norms, and demonstrate logical reasoning. Organize your points in a coherent sequence that builds your case persuasively.
- Conclusion (150-200 words): Summarize your main arguments, acknowledge the weight of this decision, and explain your next steps for implementing this plan (including how you'll discuss it with Mitchell and whether you'll involve his therapist).
Tone and Approach:
Your essay should reflect genuine care for Mitchell while demonstrating that you've thought deeply about this decision. Acknowledge the unusual nature of your recommendation while defending it with clear reasoning. Show awareness of the ethical complexities involved in making decisions for another adult, even one who has entrusted you with a caretaker role. Be honest about your motivations and examine whether you're truly acting in Mitchell's best interest.
Consider Throughout Your Essay:
- The power dynamic between you and Mitchell
- The difference between therapeutic regression and actual childhood
- The visibility and public nature of this intervention
- The potential impact on Mitchell's self-perception and mental health
- Your own emotional investment in Mitchell's care and whether it's influencing your judgment
- The question of where appropriate caretaking ends and overreach begins
Write your essay as if you are preparing to present this proposal to Mitchell's therapist for professional feedback, knowing you must make a compelling, well-reasoned case that prioritizes Mitchell's therapeutic progress and overall well-being.
Four-Hour Gym Workout Instructions
Purpose: As Mitchell's caretaker, maintaining your physical health, mental clarity, and emotional resilience is essential. This four-hour gym workout is designed to build your strength, endurance, and stress management capacity so you can better fulfill your responsibilities. A strong caretaker is an effective caretaker.
PRE-WORKOUT REQUIREMENTS:
Before beginning this workout, you must:
1. Hydration Check: Drink 16-20 oz of water 30 minutes before starting
2. Nutrition: Eat a balanced meal 90-120 minutes before your workout (complex carbs + lean protein)
3. Medical Clearance: Ensure you have no health conditions that would make intense exercise dangerous
4. Proper Attire: Wear appropriate athletic shoes, moisture-wicking clothing, and bring a towel
5. Supplies: Bring a water bottle (aim to drink 32-48 oz during the workout), phone/music, workout log
6. Time Management: Schedule this workout when Mitchell is with his therapist, caseworker, or during his supervised naptime to ensure his needs are covered
WORKOUT STRUCTURE OVERVIEW:
Your four-hour workout will be divided into the following segments:
- Hour 1: Warm-up + Heavy Cardio Session 1
- Hour 2: Strength Training (Upper Body)
- Hour 3: Heavy Cardio Session 2 + Core Work
- Hour 4: Strength Training (Lower Body) + Cool-down/Stretching
Rest Periods: Take 3-5 minute water breaks between major segments. Rest 60-90 seconds between strength training sets.
TEMPLATE OPTION 1: SAMPLE FOUR-HOUR WORKOUT
HOUR 1: WARM-UP + CARDIO SESSION 1
0:00-0:10 | Dynamic Warm-up
- Arm circles: 2 minutes
- Leg swings (forward/back, side-to-side): 3 minutes
- Jumping jacks: 2 minutes
- High knees: 2 minutes
- Butt kicks: 1 minute
0:10-0:15 | Transition & Water Break
0:15-0:55 | Heavy Cardio Block 1
- Treadmill running: 20 minutes at moderate-high intensity (70-80% max heart rate)
- Minutes 1-5: Warm up at 5.5 mph
- Minutes 6-15: Increase to 7.0-8.0 mph
- Minutes 16-20: Cool to 6.0 mph
- Rowing machine: 10 minutes (powerful, consistent strokes)
- Stair climber: 10 minutes at challenging pace
0:55-1:00 | Water Break & Heart Rate Check
HOUR 2: UPPER BODY STRENGTH TRAINING
1:00-1:05 | Transition
1:05-1:55 | Strength Circuit
Complete 3 sets of each exercise with 60-90 seconds rest between sets:
1. Bench Press: 3 sets × 10 reps (moderate-heavy weight)
2. Bent-over Barbell Rows: 3 sets × 10 reps
3. Overhead Shoulder Press: 3 sets × 12 reps
4. Pull-ups or Lat Pulldowns: 3 sets × 8-10 reps
5. Dumbbell Bicep Curls: 3 sets × 12 reps
6. Tricep Dips or Cable Pushdowns: 3 sets × 12 reps
7. Lateral Raises: 3 sets × 15 reps
1:55-2:00 | Water Break & Protein Snack (optional: protein bar or shake)
HOUR 3: HEAVY CARDIO SESSION 2 + CORE WORK
2:00-2:40 | Heavy Cardio Block 2
- Elliptical machine: 15 minutes at high resistance
- Battle ropes: 5 minutes (30 seconds on, 30 seconds rest intervals)
- Treadmill incline walking/jogging: 20 minutes
- Set incline to 8-12%
- Walk/jog at 3.5-5.0 mph
2:40-2:45 | Water Break
2:45-2:55 | Core Training Circuit
Complete 2 rounds:
- Plank hold: 60 seconds
- Russian twists: 30 reps (15 each side)
- Bicycle crunches: 40 reps (20 each side)
- Leg raises: 15 reps
- Mountain climbers: 30 seconds
2:55-3:00 | Water Break
HOUR 4: LOWER BODY STRENGTH + COOL-DOWN
3:00-3:40 | Lower Body Strength Circuit
Complete 3 sets of each exercise with 60-90 seconds rest between sets:
1. Barbell Squats: 3 sets × 10 reps (moderate-heavy weight)
2. Romanian Deadlifts: 3 sets × 10 reps
3. Leg Press: 3 sets × 12 reps
4. Walking Lunges: 3 sets × 20 steps (10 each leg)
5. Leg Curls (hamstrings): 3 sets × 12 reps
6. Calf Raises: 3 sets × 15 reps
3:40-3:45 | Water Break
3:45-4:00 | Cool-down & Stretching
- Light walking: 5 minutes (treadmill at 2.5-3.0 mph)
- Static stretching routine: 10 minutes
- Hamstring stretch: 60 seconds each leg
- Quad stretch: 60 seconds each leg
- Shoulder stretch: 60 seconds each arm
- Chest stretch: 60 seconds
- Lower back stretch (child's pose): 90 seconds
- Hip flexor stretch: 60 seconds each side
TEMPLATE OPTION 2: CREATE YOUR OWN WORKOUT
If you prefer to design your own four-hour workout, use this framework:
Required Components:
□ Warm-up (10-15 minutes): Dynamic stretching and light cardio to prepare your body
□ Heavy Cardio Session 1 (35-45 minutes): Choose from:
- Treadmill (running/incline walking)
- Rowing machine
- Stair climber
- Elliptical
- Battle ropes
- Jump rope intervals
- NO CYCLING (as specified)
□ Strength Training Block 1 (45-55 minutes): Focus on one major muscle group
- Options: Upper body (chest/back/shoulders/arms) OR Lower body (legs/glutes)
- Include 5-7 exercises
- 3 sets per exercise
- 8-12 reps per set
□ Heavy Cardio Session 2 (35-45 minutes): Different cardio modalities from Session 1
- Mix at least 2-3 different machines/exercises
- Maintain elevated heart rate (70-85% max HR)
□ Core Work (10-15 minutes): Dedicated abdominal and core strengthening
- Include planks, crunches, leg raises, rotational movements
□ Strength Training Block 2 (35-45 minutes): Focus on the muscle group NOT covered in Block 1
- If you did upper body in Block 1, do lower body here (or vice versa)
- Include 5-7 exercises
- 3 sets per exercise
□ Cool-down & Stretching (15 minutes): Essential for recovery
- Light cardio (5 minutes)
- Static stretching all major muscle groups (10 minutes)
Your Custom Template:
Create a detailed hour-by-hour breakdown using the format below:
HOUR 1:
- 0:00-0:__ | ___________________
- 0:__-0:__ | ___________________
- 0:__-1:00 | ___________________
HOUR 2:
- 1:00-1:__ | ___________________
- 1:__-1:__ | ___________________
- 1:__-2:00 | ___________________
HOUR 3:
- 2:00-2:__ | ___________________
- 2:__-2:__ | ___________________
- 2:__-3:00 | ___________________
HOUR 4:
- 3:00-3:__ | ___________________
- 3:__-3:__ | ___________________
- 3:__-4:00 | ___________________
POST-WORKOUT REQUIREMENTS:
After completing your four-hour workout:
1. Immediate Hydration: Drink 16-24 oz of water within 15 minutes
2. Post-Workout Meal: Consume protein and carbohydrates within 45-60 minutes (aim for 20-30g protein, 40-60g carbs)
3. Shower & Change: Practice good hygiene before returning to caretaking duties
4. Recovery Log: Record your workout details, how you felt, and any areas of soreness
5. Check on Mitchell: Ensure his needs were met during your absence and resume your caretaking responsibilities
WEEKLY SCHEDULE RECOMMENDATION:
Perform this four-hour workout 2-3 times per week on non-consecutive days (e.g., Monday, Thursday, Saturday) to allow for adequate recovery while maintaining your fitness level.
SAFETY NOTES:
- Stop immediately if you experience dizziness, chest pain, or unusual shortness of breath
- Modify exercises if you experience joint pain
- Use proper form over heavy weight to prevent injury
- Consider working with a personal trainer for your first few sessions to ensure correct technique
MENTAL FOCUS:
Use this workout time not only for physical conditioning but also for mental clarity. The demands of caring for Mitchell require you to be sharp, patient, and emotionally regulated. This dedicated self-care time will make you a better, more effective caretaker.
Commitment Statement:
I, _________________, commit to completing this four-hour workout regimen to maintain my physical and mental health so I can provide the best possible care for Mitchell.
Signature: _________________ Date: _________________