I think we can all
agree that this year has been rough. Actually, this year has been an insane
roller coaster ride of emotions and increased workloads. However, the year is
finally almost over, hallelujah, and
a new year is on the horizon. How can we make sure that next year is better
than this one was? No, how can we make sure it is our best year yet? Well
teacher friends the answer is simple, we need to start saying yes. Yes? Yes!
Let’s say yes to self-care and boundaries. Let’s say yes to taking care of
ourselves. Read more below about my top three things that teachers need to say
yes to in the New Year.
Say Yes to Self-Care
“You can’t pour from an
empty cup.” Self-care is so important! You can’t help anyone else if you cannot
first help yourself. We all know that, why else do they tell you to put the
oxygen mask on yourself first on airplanes? So, my question is, if we know self-care
is so critical, why do we push it off? I don’t have time. I don’t need
to. The excuses go on and on. Stop powering through, stop putting so
much extra pressure on yourself. We have a million and one things we are
required to do as teachers. Why add extra stress of getting papers graded like
lightning, or having lessons planned a month in advance? Start removing
unnecessary stress and allow yourself time to breathe, rest, and recover. Make this year the first year you truly adopt a self-care
is alright mindset.
Say Yes to Boundaries
Did you know that is ok
to say no? Honestly, it is not only ok but it is necessary. You are not a bad
teacher if you do not take school work home each night. You are not a bad
teacher if you do not work weekends. You are not a bad teacher if you stop
answering parent emails at 4:00 PM every night. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DO IT ALL,
ALL OF THE TIME. In most other occupations, when you leave work for the day,
you leave your work behind with you. Teachers everywhere put in an overwhelming
about of unpaid after work hours just to try and stay afloat and feel like we
are doing the best we can. Please listen to me; you are doing an amazing job.
You don’t need to make your work all that you ever do. Set boundaries for
yourself so that you can have a work home life balance. You need designated
time to close your plan book, turn off your computer, and live your life.
Say Yes to a Work/ Home-life Balance
I love memes. There is
one meme that always hits me a little too close to home. It is a picture of a
teacher with countless hats on her head, each one labeled with a different
responsibility she bares. From parent communication expert to epic lesson creator,
we teachers juggle it all. It’s no wonder most teachers have a horrible work/
home life balance. Well, it’s time we start taking back our weekends friends.
Take a few of those hats, those extra responsibilities, off of your plate. Ask
for help. Don’t spend countless hours at night scrolling Pinterest for the
perfect lesson. Stop researching classroom management techniques on your
weekends so you can survive your workweek. Ask for help. Find engaging
supplemental resources, lesson plans, and more, and put it in your budget for
next year. Request a professional development course for techniques and
strategies you want to be more knowledgeable in.
So friends, let’s make
this year the year of yes. We can and we will make the New Year a stellar one!
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