How's your relationship with yourself?
I had the honor of leading a fairly well-attended Twitter chat this week (check out #masterychat if you haven't already). One question I asked seemed to resonate with many was about the relationship we have with ourselves.
It's not something I think about a lot, seriously. I kind of take me for granted, if that makes any sense. I give for a lot of things. I make sure students are ok; I advocate for students and their needs for and with parents. I check in on fellow teachers. I try to make sure our school nurse and school secretaries feel noticed and needed.
I'm not saying I don't get it back. People check in on me, and I appreciate that. But do I? Do I check in on me?
Teachers - not all, but a great number - are in this profession because they are givers. They like to take care of others in a multitude of ways. We're also notoriously bad about putting ourselves on the back burner (teacher burn-out is real, folks, but that's another conversation). And now that we're in a situation unlike one most of us have ever been in before, we're putting so many other things first. Have I reached all my students? Have the students reached out? How can I help those who still need resources? Are all my kids eating? Are they safe? When I'm in a physical building, I can see them. I can check on them. I can't do that - and I'm worrying.
Our relationship with ourself has to be strong right now. YES - we have to be there for our students. But we can't pour out of an empty vessel. So what do we do?
*Literally take time to breathe - and notice your breathing. I find myself breathing very shallowly through the day. I've been forcing myself to find some time to focus on breathing and being aware.
*Know we will never do "enough", but that doesn't mean we aren't doing. Celebrate any success.
*What is it that rejuvenates you? Find time for it. No - scratch that. MAKE time for it. You are worth it. We are important enough to schedule time for ourselves, but we often don't look at ourselves in that light.
*Stretch. I find I'm sitting at my table for long periods of time. I've tried to be more aware - stand up and stretch every 30 to 45 minutes.
*Healthy eating is the goal. I will NOT tell you I'm not eating comfort food. I will tell you I'm being wise about my eating. I've been aware of the grocery order, and I'm being careful about what I have in the house. And I am making dessert so that we have one every single night. But I don't have cookies in the house.
*Find a way to stay connected to friends. Our PLC didn't have a video conference meeting one week, and I struggled that week. Interestingly, so did other team members. We haven't made that mistake again. We know what we're up against better than any other of our friends, and this connection has helped.
Please - make sure your relationship with yourself is on track. Take care of you. You are important. You are worth it.
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!!
It's not something I think about a lot, seriously. I kind of take me for granted, if that makes any sense. I give for a lot of things. I make sure students are ok; I advocate for students and their needs for and with parents. I check in on fellow teachers. I try to make sure our school nurse and school secretaries feel noticed and needed.
I'm not saying I don't get it back. People check in on me, and I appreciate that. But do I? Do I check in on me?
Teachers - not all, but a great number - are in this profession because they are givers. They like to take care of others in a multitude of ways. We're also notoriously bad about putting ourselves on the back burner (teacher burn-out is real, folks, but that's another conversation). And now that we're in a situation unlike one most of us have ever been in before, we're putting so many other things first. Have I reached all my students? Have the students reached out? How can I help those who still need resources? Are all my kids eating? Are they safe? When I'm in a physical building, I can see them. I can check on them. I can't do that - and I'm worrying.
Our relationship with ourself has to be strong right now. YES - we have to be there for our students. But we can't pour out of an empty vessel. So what do we do?
*Literally take time to breathe - and notice your breathing. I find myself breathing very shallowly through the day. I've been forcing myself to find some time to focus on breathing and being aware.
*Know we will never do "enough", but that doesn't mean we aren't doing. Celebrate any success.
*What is it that rejuvenates you? Find time for it. No - scratch that. MAKE time for it. You are worth it. We are important enough to schedule time for ourselves, but we often don't look at ourselves in that light.
*Stretch. I find I'm sitting at my table for long periods of time. I've tried to be more aware - stand up and stretch every 30 to 45 minutes.
*Healthy eating is the goal. I will NOT tell you I'm not eating comfort food. I will tell you I'm being wise about my eating. I've been aware of the grocery order, and I'm being careful about what I have in the house. And I am making dessert so that we have one every single night. But I don't have cookies in the house.
*Find a way to stay connected to friends. Our PLC didn't have a video conference meeting one week, and I struggled that week. Interestingly, so did other team members. We haven't made that mistake again. We know what we're up against better than any other of our friends, and this connection has helped.
Please - make sure your relationship with yourself is on track. Take care of you. You are important. You are worth it.
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!!
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