Why is this so hard?
Raise your hand if…
I bet I have a lot of hands up. There is nothing wrong with being passionate, hard-working, and just plain obsessed with your students and your job. In fact, that’s why you are so awesome. Your students and school are beyond lucky to have someone as dedicated as you are. But at the same time, we need to make sure we are taking care of ourselves as well. You can’t be that amazing and energetic teacher superstar if you are exhausted, run down, or burnt out.
I guess the message of my ramblings is to make sure you take time for yourself. Don’t feel guilty about it. The IEPs will get written. Photocopies will get done. And your staff and students will have a much happier teacher to be with. Whether that time for yourself means taking 5 minutes of your lunch break to browse instagram or one weekend a month where you absolutely under no circumstances open your work bag – do it. Write yourself a behavior plan that includes time for yourself. You work hard. You work damn hard. And you deserve a little R&R. So get on that work/life balance behavior plan! And follow it!
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6 Responses
I am reading the on a a school holiday. I have 3 children and my military spouse just came back from a nine month deployment. Today I have not planned time to spend with them instead I had planned to write an IEP, go to my campus and clean my desk, and finish a paper for my masters class. Your reminder today that balance is important has reminded me to spend time just enjoying my family today too. So I will find balance one day at a time while remaining productive.
I struggled with the same thing, being a workaholic and perfectionist. Realizing I really wasn’t that productive when I’m super tired, I committed…. maybe this can help someone too. Have a mandatory stopping time, go home, have a routine to relax and have a bedtime that gives you your required amount of sleep. The one component that has helped me the most is to be up early enough to practice Yoga, it is amazing. I encourage anyone and everyone to give it a try, at home. I am so much more productive, happier and get so much more done than before while leaving leaving work an hour before I used to in order to follow this regiment. Thank you Sasha for this oh so very important post!
Thank you for sharing this. As a first year teacher I struggle with this. I am wearing myself out. i am glad I’m not alone in struggling with this. I am a perfectionist and workaholic. I am going to implement a mandatory stopping time, and create a routine to relax and try to get more sleep. Thank you ladies for sharing !
Yep – it’s all about one day at a time! That’s how I think of it too!
Mandatory stopping time is a great idea! It does make me feel better too to know we are all dealing with this!
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