I don't know about you, but this time of year tends to always be one of the hardest times in schools! Teachers are feeling pressure, people are on edge and sometimes just plain mean to each other, we don't see the sun as often as we should and there is SNOW, all the time! (I live in Michigan!)
Starting late January and usually going until April or until Spring Break has always been a tough period of time for me as a teacher. Those months always went by slowly! As a consultant I feel this more than ever before. Tempers are high, patience is down and staff expectations of me are always higher this time of year! Staff members are quick to point out when they THINK I'm not doing something wrong! This is very frustrating but I need to keep reminding myself it's not me! Don't get me started on what they think my job is! That's for another blog post!!
Anyway, the reason I'm writing this post is because we need to make sure we are taking care of us! This is something that I don't do enough of and I am sure you don't either! Sit down and make a list of the things you do for yourself! If you can't think of 3-5 things you are doing for yourself it's time to make a change! I had a hard time but came up with three and realized I need to add at least one more to that list!
So here is my list.....
1. I am having my blog and branding re-designed! It isn't live yet but come on look at that new logo it is beautiful! Things like that keep me sane when the world around me may be falling apart! I am sure it doesn't sound like I am taking care of me by doing this but it is something I look forward to and something that makes me happy! Really that's the point, bring joy and less stress to your life!!
2. ME time! I am a workaholic and could work starting from when I put my daughter to bed and when it's time for me to go to bed! Which I do often.....shhhh!
I am a part time consultant but doing a full time consultant's job! I need to prioritize and member that I can't do it all!! Unfortunately, I am also a control freak when it comes to my job and reputation so I want to make sure everything is perfect and how I'd want it done! I've been trying to give away some of that control this year...doesn't always work but I'm trying!
Anyway back to what I first started with ;) Me time! I make sure to take the last 30-60 minutes before I go to bed where I am not working! That means no blogging, no reading work related books, no school work and no Teachers Pay Teachers! Now this is really REALLY hard but I notice if I take the full 60 minutes I feel much more prepared and ready for bed. If I work up till bedtime I am anxious and still have a million things running through my mind and it takes me forever to fall asleep!
3. Having a goal is always something that helps me! My goal right now is to take my earned money in other side jobs to purchase a new camera! This is a major upgrade so it's taken many months but I am getting close! Having something to look forward to is very important at least this time of year!
What do you do during this time of year when things get a little CRAZY!!
What do you do during this time of year when things get a little CRAZY!!