Teaching is heart work + hard work that never seems ends. With public education being a total disaster, secondhand trauma tremendously impacting teachers, and the constant workload increase + demand, it’s hard to shut teaching off. It’s even harder to take care of ourself… especially when the majority of us find purpose in serving others.
At the beginning of this school year, I could already feel the little voice in my head questioning if I was going to make it all year. There’s only so much crap a teacher can handle. I realized I needed to make a couple changes and set a few rules. It’s December and it’s been crazy but I’m happy. Here are the three rules I set for myself that have allowed me to breath and let go of the constant worry of not getting everything done.
one: turn your work e-mail off from your phone, ASAP.
For years I had a hard time disconnecting from my work e-mail. My teammate inspired a change in my philosophy this year and it’s made such a difference in my life. Out of routine when I check the mail application on my phone, my night is no longer ruined when I get a frustrating or annoying e-mail… or feel a sense of urgency to respond. I have no idea what anyone at work is saying or thinking until first thing in the morning… check leads into my rule number 2.
two: set a 15 minute routine time to respond to e-mails
My contracted hours are from 8:00-4:00. When I arrive at 7:00 every day, you can find me responding to e-mails from 7:00-7:15. I’ve found that I always have so much to do in the mornings, that responding to frustrating and annoying e-mails right before I need to get stuff done, and work with kids, is actually beneficial. I get so busy that I forget I was frustrated or annoyed by an e-mail. Where those type of e-mails use to effect my sleep and happiness at home, now they serve no meaning in my day.
three: create a reasonable “I stop working time” and stick to it– no exceptions.
My time is 4:30. Sure, I might talk about work stuff with my former co-teacher or some of my work besties, but I don’t open my computer to work on IEPS, respond to e-mails, work on lesson planning, or any of the other things during the week. This rule helps me use my time at work more efficiently and helps keep my work ethic during stressful times intact. On the nights I realize I have a lot to do the next day, I will set my alarm 30 minutes earlier than usual and bribe myself with Starbucks for getting out of bed.
It’s challenging to stick with it at first, as it breaks the majority of habits that have been ingrained into our being. To avoid burnout and stay in teaching for the long haul, we have to start taking care of ourselves, even when it feels uncomfortable.
P.S… apparently whenever I do self-care posts I wear my new pajamas… yolo 🙂 *pajamas are the best*
with kindness | ashley