Tuned In Teachers
  • Home
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact

Waiting for the Unknown

9/18/2019

 
Picture
The unknown can be a scary place for those of us who tend to overthink in the negative. And the waiting that is often involved can make our overactive brains go into overdrive.  

Perhaps you are in this waiting period right now. Maybe you are waiting for news from a family member, waiting for a court case to be decided, waiting for medical test results, waiting to hear back about a job, etc. I recently received news that I need to go back to the doctor for a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. The wait between receiving that news and my next appointment has been an exercise in mental toughness.  

For those of you who are waiting for the unknown (including myself), I put together some reminders that hopefully bring you direction during this unnerving time. 
  • Be aware of the stories you are telling yourself! Don't go down the rabbit hole of "what if . . . " It's not worth your energy to dream up different scenarios (especially negative ones.) Believe in your ability to deal with what presents itself to you. Trust that once you know what is going on, you will take appropriate action.  
  • Follow your own advice. Think about what you would advise a friend going through the same situation. How would you support them? What would you encourage them to do while they are in this waiting period? The answers to these questions should guide how you proceed.  
  • Schedule self-care. The waiting you are experiencing could be short-term or long-term. No matter how long, be sure to add activities to your day that bring you peace, joy, and relaxation. These activities can be as small as making yourself some tea before bed nightly or as extravagant as booking a hotel room for the weekend to escape.   
  • Honor your feelings; avoid numbing behaviors. Let yourself feel whatever you are feeling during the wait. Write about it in a journal, take a reflective walk, or talk to a good friend. I caution you with online shopping, alcohol, or other addictive behaviors that may distract you from going inside yourself. Especially when the timeline around the unknown is long, these kinds of choices may build upon themselves and make things worse for you.  

When the unknown feels like a dark cloud, take good care that you are shining your own light through it. Be in control of what you can control and enjoy each breath of the day. 

​What ways do you keep yourself level-headed during periods of waiting?  Please comment on my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/tunedinteachers/.

Are You A News Junkie?

9/12/2019

 
Picture
Call me an info geek. I love reading and watching the news to a fault.  If I wake up at 2 am, I'll check every news app on my phone to find out the latest local, political, health, environmental, and entertainment news.  In the summer, I relish a morning with a cup of coffee and The Today Show.  But in the last year, my drive for news has changed. 
​
I started to notice how my body reacted to the news, and it wasn't positive.  Story after story included guns, lies, and fear-laced health scares.  My thoughts hung onto the alarming words and images.  I knew this wasn't a healthy way to live, surrounded by negativity and fear.  I shut it off and limited my exposure, and my life changed.  Now, I spend my energy on text and stories that fuel my growth and my passions.  I may not know the latest developments on JLo's engagement to ARod, but I'm willing to sacrifice that for my well-being.

How do you balance learning the news of the day while respecting your body and mind's reactions to it?

Savor September

9/4/2019

 
Picture
Are you still wondering what happened to August? With all the preparations for school, it's no surprise that last month flew by. What makes time go fast or slow? How can we slow things down so that we are genuinely enjoying each day? Here are some ideas I am going to try: 
  • Waking up 15 minutes earlier to sit with my coffee - no phone, no television, no distractions. Just an opportunity to let the quiet in. Bonus points if I can sit outside and enjoy the changing leaves. Even more bonus points if my kids never bother me! 
  • Take a walk outside more days a week than not. I'm putting bets on the weather to cooperate with me here, but I know that it is essential to move and get fresh air.  
  • Put some of my favorite autumn activities on the calendar, no matter how small - roasting marshmallows, hiking, making apple crisp, raking leaves and jumping in them with the kids, etc. 
​
What do you do to slow time down? What are your favorite activities to do this time of year? I'm determined to savor September! 




    Picture

    Author
    ​~Emily Johnson

    Dedicated to helping my teacher colleagues find success at home and school in order to live a more meaningful life!

    Subscribe to our mailing list!

    * indicates required

    Archives

    January 2021
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018

    Categories

    All

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact