Mindful Monday: If You Could Only Sense

 

I've said it before, and I'll say it again and again, what you do day-in and day-out is nothing short of amazing! 

This year, you showed up for our students in ways most of us will never truly know.

This year, you put in the time and effort with a student who outwardly never seemed to appreciate it.

This year, you tried new things, you failed, and then you tried again.

This year, you showed up on days you were tired, on days you didn't feel like it, and even on days you were feeling less than your best. 

This year, you gave of your time, your energy, and your talents in ways that can't begin to be measured.

Teaching is not just a profession, it is a calling. 

THANK YOU for answering this call.

THANK YOU for choosing to be here. 

THANK YOU for leaving a little bit of yourself, the best part of yourself, with all those you met. 

I assure you, your impact is far reaching. And while much of your impact you may never see or truly understand, know that others see you. Thank you for another amazing year! 

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Thank you...I consider it a great privilege to start your week off reminding you of your amazingness, that you're not alone in this, and that you are enough just as you are. Wishing you all a summer filled with whatever brings you joy! See you all in the fall! 

Mindful Monday: If Only, It Were That Easy

If only, it were that easy.

End of year stress is an entirely different animal than beginning of year stress. End of year stress is coupled with profound exhaustion, limited patience, often compounded with a heavy dose of cynicism.

 I get we are only a handful of days away until the official end of the year, but I want to take a moment to remind you just how essential self care is. Self care is not a luxury. It is not for only when you have the time (like only during the summer). And it is certainly not selfish.

I'm sure you are counting the days for your summer-self to return. You know the person I'm talking about; the version of you that gets laundry done during the week and cooks homemade meals. The version of you that actually rests and sleeps when you are tired, takes walks, and reads for fun. The summer version of you puts yourself and your family first. As you begin to consider what self care looks like for yourself this summer, create habits that you can maintain when the school year starts back in August.

In order to be the best version of ourselves at work AND at home, selfcare not only has to become a priority, it has to become a habit. Afterall, you are worth it!

Mindful Monday: Not Fine

 We have officially made it to May. We have nearly survived yet another year of "do more with less". There is only so much more data that needs collecting. There are a finite number of recess and after school duties left. State testing is in our rearview mirror for the year, and there is only so much curriculum left to cover. That, in and of itself, deserves a sigh of relief (and maybe a hallelujah!)

I know our tanks are near empty. And most of us might say we're doing "fine", but I'd imagine that is far from the truth. And that's okay! I get our default answer is fine. I get it's easy to simply put our heads down and grind our way to the end; afterall, we can see the light- there is hope within reach. But know, that "not fine", especially this time of the year, is okay too!

Don't feel like you have to "just make it" through this month. Take a breath. Be proud of the work you have done this year. Acknowledge  your journey and all you have overcome, conquered, and faced head on. 

If you are not fine, know you're not alone. If you're not fine, take a deep breath and drop your shoulders, then consider another deep breath. Find a friend, a teammate, a co-worker down the hall, a confidant you haven't checked in with lately, or even ME! Let them know if you need to be Helped, Hugged, or simply Heard because at the end of the day, you are absolutely NOT alone in this journey.