The week begins with much promise, then Monday happens. We go home exhausted, but decide to put our heads down and focus on the tasks at hand. Tuesday rolls around and drama begins with a member of a PLC or learning team. You don't have the energy to deal with his/her attitude, so you shrug it off and focus on what you need for your classroom. The week continues and more events take place. Your shoulders are tight, you rush from class to class, and write your lesson plans in your head while driving home. It's no wonder that by Friday the wheels have come off. Not only are you more relaxed in jeans (for some teachers), but you finally have the guts to deal with the issues that have come up all week since you want to get it off your plate before the weekend. Ask any administrator - Fridays are nuts! Not only are the kids high-energy, but more staff come to administrators with complaints on Fridays than other days because they've been bottling it up all week!
Instead of tipping the (booze) bottle, I would encourage you to tip your emotional bottle multiple times per week. Create check-ins with yourself to assess how you are feeling and create a plan for how to deal with those emotions. Putting your head down and plowing through the week doesn't do anyone any good. You need to release those emotions and deal with the drama as it comes. Putting up with your own resistance adds to your stress level. Perhaps an end-of-the-day reflection can be "What am I resisting today? What might be some proactive ways I can deal with this and release the stress of it?" By dealing with it, we regain control over our lives. What are the unwritten rules you live by when dealing with drama at school?
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It's the January doldrums. The holidays are over and sunlight is scarce. It's hard to want to go to work when that is all it feels like you are doing with your time. When you drive to school in the dark and drive home in the dark, there isn't much spark to the day. I never thought I suffered from Seasonal Affective Disorder, but the lack of sunlight during the day makes me feel like I'm stuck in "work-mode."
Being intentional about coping during this time of year is essential for feeding your soul and keeping yourself sane. Here are some ideas on how I have found success in boosting my mood during this challenging time:
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