Mindful Monday: Simplicity is the Goal

 

For 16 years, I have gladly and joyfully made other people's children a priority. For 10 of those years, I have made it my personal mission to make sure each and every staff member I have had the pleasure of working with feels seen and valued. It is in my nature to pour into others. However, I have not done a great job of taking my own advice over the years, as I currently find my "bucket" nearly empty. So next year, I am taking a step back and will be putting my own family and children first. I will still be at Brushy Creek, only in a new role. I will be taking the half time TAG position. 

As we close out this school year, I am acutely aware of the weight, the worries, and the traumas each of you are taking home with you from this year. Some of the burdens we carry are our own, but many worries that weigh heavily on us are from our students. When we become invested in our students, it's hard not to feel their pains and struggles. This empathy can easily turn into secondary trauma, also known as compassion fatigue. It's all very real, and you are not alone. Compassion fatigue is defined as the physical, emotional, and psychological impact of helping others through their experiences of stress or trauma. 

What we do is hard! Teaching is hard! It's not sustainable to continuously give. As we go into summer, I beg of you to take care of yourself. Please be intentional to pour into yourself. Be intentional how you choose to spend your time. Spend these next few months doing what you love with those you love. 

So for once, I am taking my own advice and allowing myself the time and space to heal from the traumas I carry, the time and space to refill my bucket, and the time and space to really be present for my family. Simplicity will be my goal. 

I found this amazing TedTalk. I highly recommend finding 11 mins to watch Supporting Teachers’ Well Being.

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