25 Thoughts on Self Care for Transformational Teachers

This was my 30+ minutes of writing today.  I think it is really hard to do these things with consistency, but I hope something will spark for you!

How many ways can I think of for transformational teachers to care for themselves?  {These are things that I’m applying so much more now that I’m out of the classroom for this year.}

1.  Know your limits and stick to them--know how much time you will commit in a day/a week/ a month/ a year to the tasks you need to do--planning/grading/cleaning/set up/ extra stuff.  
2. Be realistic and stick to it.  For example:  I have 30 minutes to grade, and that is all today.
3. Close out distractions from your personal work time--no internet, friends, kids, coworkers, etc.  The time moves fast, and you know what you have to do.  Carve out that quiet work time and keep it sacred.
4. Say NO! politely but firmly.  Some ways to say it are:  “I wish I could, but I’m not able to add anything extra right now.”  “That sounds like a good idea, but it doesn’t line up with my goals right now.”  “I wish you well, but I am not able to participate at this time.”
5. Do something that brings you joy every single day--cook, walk around your block, knit, play with your kids, clean your house, listen to music, whatever it is for you.  It might be very simple like smile as you walk down the street.  You are only able to give from the overflow of your joy, so keep your joy well filled and overflowing!
6. Honor your humanity.  You are not a teaching machine or robot.  You are a human being.  When you recognize and accept this in your self it will be much easier to recognize and accept in other people--especially your students.
7. Practice being present.  Stop and look at people when they are speaking to you.  Don’t let your mind wander.  Really be there.  In the long run it saves time and resources.
8. Keep guilt and shame at bay--they will steal your joy and deflate your effectiveness.
9. Move your body every day--and I don’t mean around your classroom--unless your dancing around before or after school!  Preferable move outside. 
10. Fuel your body with the best nutrition you can.  Be intentional about the ways you fuel your body.  The better the nutrition you put in the more effectiveness you will be able to put out.  {On days when you eat a bag of M&Ms, accept it, let it go and move on.  Refer to number 8}
11.   Spend as much time in nature that you can.  Vitamin D from the sun is a big deal.  Moving outside is a big deal.  Time in nature is proven to improve mood and overall outlook. 
12.   Get enough rest.  This is more than just sleep, and sleep is very important.  Plan down time for yourself and your family.
13. Learn something new.  This can be for your job or just for fun.  Take a pottery class.  Learn to salsa.  Whatever is going to keep you moving forward in your life.
14.   Don’t get sidetracked by other people’s ideas.  There will always be other people who are doing amazing things that are different than you.  Don’t let yourself be filled with doubt because you aren’t doing what someone else is doing.  You bring your A game, and don’t worry about someone else’s A game.
15. Ask for help.  When you are feeling overwhelmed, ask for help.  It doesn’t mean you will get it, but keep asking different people.  Eventually the person who was meant to come along side you will be there.
16. Have a place and way to vent.  It might be a long run on Saturday morning or a glass of wine with a good friend.
17.   Don’t worry that you’re not doing things the way everyone else is.  Some people will always be ahead of you, and some people will always be behind you.  The important thing is that you know where you are going.
18. Have a good support network.  For me the best support community turned out to be online and outside of education circles.
19.   Accept people as they are, and know that we can only change about 10% of ourself.  People have set personalities.  Accept this.  Your only able to change one person, and that is you!  Accept this.
20.   Make a gratitude list.  It might be something you write down or it might be an informal and mental part of your bedtime ritual before you fall asleep.
21.   Accept the fact that not all people are trustworthy.  Decide what part of your life you want to be public {it might be big or small} and then fiercely guard the part that you want to keep private.  
22.   Social media is rarely your friend--see #21
23.   Remember when people are mean they are usually broken and hurting.  Their behavior says much more about them than you--especially if they make it public.  You do NOT need to engage with them EVER
24.   Behave with integrity.  Keep your word.  Respect other people.  This is a lost are, but many years ago my dad said, “You will sleep better every night if you do the right thing.”
25. Choose kindness whenever possible.  It’s always possible.  {I’ve seen those words credited to the Dali Lama and Mother Theresa.}  Sometimes the kindest thing we can do is walk away or stay quiet.

Welcome Fall With a Secret Simple Self Care

Lemon print on handmade paper prayer flag

I LOVE Fall in Ohio.  Yesterday was a gorgeous first breath of autumnal air.  It was cool sleeping in the 50s and warm and sunny during the day in the 80s.  All of the plants are rendering the last bits of life.  Where I live there are mums everywhere.  It's simply gorgeous.

For teachers this point in the school year seems to pile on stress, fatigue starts to set in, and the first signs of illness and compromised immune systems start to raise their ugly heads.  I'm going to recommend one super simple self care tip that has made a big difference for me in the past year.  

I started drinking a mug of lemon, ginger, honey tea first thing in the morning.  You can read some of the benefits of warm lemon water HERE.  I make the mixture ahead of time in a pint mason jar.  I use the jar in about a month.  I slice up lemons and ginger root to fill the jar {2-4 lemons and a small ginger root}.  Then I fill the jar with the best honey I can afford.  I recommend including as many of these words in the honey as you can--organic, local, and raw.  For the first time at the end of August I got all three words in thanks to the Akron Honey Company.  Screw the lid on, and store in the refrigerator.

In the morning heat water, add 1 - 2 spoons of mixture to your mug, and add water.  {Sometimes I add cinnamon, too.}  I like to take a few deep breaths over the lemon infused steam.  It makes me stop for just a few moments and soak in the essence of life.  {It's easy for me to forget this in the morning rush!}

Also, when I come home and my throat is sore or my nose is stuffy I drink another mug full and breathe the steam.  I think it has made a big difference in keeping me healthier and more in touch with reality.

Let me know how it works for you!

What are you doing to take care of yourself this Fall?

Retreat as Self Care

Last weekend I went on a most amazing retreat as a way to begin the new year.  {If you hear that and you think a  group of people coming together and talking in circles and following a curriculum, it was not that kind of retreat.}

My retreat was just for me.  I travelled just an hour south of my house to Millersburg, Ohio.  It's the heart of Ohio's Amish Country.  The roads are twisty and winding, and cars share the roads with horses and buggies and bicycles.  {Even in the car I was filled with doubtful thoughts about spending money on myself, about being open and vulnerable, about my worthiness, etc.}

I arrived at True Nature.  This was my third visit there, and I never stop being amazed by the natural and simple beauty of the location and experience.  A week later I am still completely overwhelmed by the generosity of the hosts, Dave and Alana.  This is their home, and they just open up their life to guests.  There was yoga and massage and breema and nutritious whole foods, and gentle conversations.

And lots of alone time, where I created art and read and wrote down ideas in my notebook and thought and slept.  I also ate most meals alone.  That's part of the experience so that we can learn to slow down and be mindful.

I'm honestly surprised by how I continue to be sustained by that time.  I hit the ground running on Monday with a new schools schedule, a different parenting routine, a student teachers, and intentions for daily transforming my life.  That's a lot!  Period!  But it is working for me.  I am tired, but my spirit is still full!

If you are longing to be renewed I recommend a retreat.  Last year I took a day retreat for my birthday, and that was lovely.  But the extended time allowed me to slow down so much more.  My only regret is that I wished I had done more yoga!  I guess that will be next time!

Inspiration From The Lake

Sam and I are spending the summer by the lake--Lake Erie, in Lakeside, Ohio.  I don't get much alone time, but I got to take a solo walk by the lake last evening.  It was so restorative to my spirit.  Here are some images:

I sure hope you have some way to restore your mind, body, and spirit this summer!

FREE Self Care Calendar From Brave Teachers

Did you know that I have a whole website devoted to soul centered living for teachers?

It's called Brave Teachers, and it is stirring a revolution of inspiration, encouragement, and empowerment one teacher at a time.

Brave Teachers provides live workshops, professional development, keynotes and a retreat in the Fall.  I also create posters and other tools to support teachers in self care, positive perspective, and hopeful living.  I  provide supportive coaching to teachers who need some TLC.  {Don't we all!}  My coaching has most often focused around life and or job transitions.  Sometimes I just listen.

This summer Brave Teachers has it's first ever online workshop, Visioning The Best Year Ever.  Its based on lessons I'm learning and experiences I've had.  I'm working through it all myself, and I'm amazed at the insight I'm finding.  {I'm not just the creator--I'm an active participant, too!}

As part of the online workshop I created a Self Care Calendar for the upcoming school year.  It's all about being intentional and actively planning to exercise, go on adventures, make time for friends, cook healthy meals, create, and whatever else I need.  Otherwise I'll just dash from task to task--getting more frustrated, overwhelmed, anxious, even angry.

I believe this is so essential, that I want to share the Self Care Calendar with as many people as I can. Grab it here FREE!

{There is no magic, but I believe the results can be miraculous.}

If you're interested in other Brave Teacher services and resources, check out the website or email me or sign up to join the email community in the sidebar on the right.

Hope you find some time this weekend to practice self care!

Are you taking care of yourself?

Are you taking care of yourself?  If I were to answer that question honestly I would have to say, sometimes.  Even though it is summer I'm busy creating and running an online workshop/class.  I'm doing all sorts of stuff with and for my little family because I don't do that much during the school year. I'm starting to create stuff for next year.  I'm thinking and planning.  I'm trying to clean out some hidden parts of my house.

However, the well feels pretty empty and dry inside me right now.

The week coming up feels like it's going to be busy, but it's also filled with lots of stuff that I think will recharge the batteries and start to fill the well.

Tomorrow I'm going to Lakeside to sort of just hang out and visit with at least one friend.  {In a couple weeks I get to go for a whole week with my little family--can't wait!}

On Wednesday and Thursday, I'm going to the Midwest Whole Brain Teaching Conference.  I'm VERY excited about this!   If you don't know about Whole Brain Teaching, check it out!

On Friday I'm going to see the musical Mama Mia.  You know that's going to be fun!

Saturday I'm going to a wedding, and I might be going to the Akron Storytelling Festival.  In the past I've been blown away by this amazing event!

I'm also reading some powerful books and I have some creative projects in the works.   {I'm hoping to share more about both in the future!}

This is the stuff that feeds my spirit!

How about you?  What feeds your spirit?  How are you caring for yourself?

Self Care and Computer Sabbath

So I'm making some really intentional choices to care for myself this year. I want to offer the people I care about the best of myself. That is only possible if I take good care of myself and am at my best.

One thing I've decided to do is to take a "computer sabbath." From the time I leave school on Friday until Saturday late afternoon/evening I will not use my computer. I won't check emails. I won't blog. Nada.

This past Friday was my first break. It was kinda' tough. I just wanted to catch up on some of my favorite blogs that I had missed since school started. Instead I grouped my students based on little assessments they did this week for both Reading and Math, I read bedtime stories to my little cutie pie. I went out to breakfast, went to a farmer's market, and I went hiking with my little family. I took lots of gorgeous photos on the hike.

I can already feel the benefits, but it doesn't mean it's easy.

What are you doing to take care of yourself that you know is right, but it might not always feel good or easy?

Download a self care worksheet HERE
and
a little poster where you can add your 10 Self Care Tips HERE.