Contributed by Kari East
Honestly, I don’t know who is more excited for the holiday break, me or the kids?! I’m feeling ALL the things: stress, a sense of urgency, deciding what to prioritize, difficulty juggling work with my personal life. It all just feels like too much! I shared with a friend and coworker that here recently I have felt like my life is a train on max speed and I missed my boarding time so now I’m constantly running to try to catch it. But, I can never quite make it to the next stop fast enough to board. I suppose that’s life.
I was thrilled when I found out that the topic for our next Blog Blast would be teacher burnout because it’s a very real and serious concern in our professional lives. The more we talk about it the better equipped we’ll be to face it head on. We do hard but meaningful work and with that comes significant challenges. Burnout can lead to serious consequences if not addressed. Exhaustion is typically what I see from my peers first. We often push ourselves to the point that we’re not taking care of ourselves physically. For me, this manifests itself in poor sleep, bad eating habits, and neglecting my personal responsibilities. I can’t tell you how many doctor’s appointments I’ve missed or just haven’t scheduled because “I don’t have time”. Oftentimes, I don’t even think we realize we’re exhausted until we have those physical symptoms. It’s common that we push ourselves until we’re physically ill and HAVE to slow down. Burnout can also lead to feelings of cynicism – not a good head space to be in. It’s easy to get stuck in the world of negativity. Misery loves company. Try not to let your mind go there because it can be difficult to pull yourself out of it. 🙋🏻♀️Guilty!
Avoiding teacher burnout takes intentional (and consistent) effort on our part. Personally, I’ve found the following three things have helped me significantly to have a more healthy work life balance, consequently keeping me from burnout (I hope! 😜)
- Leave work at work – Generally, I try to leave my work life at work. I might vent to my husband about a bad day or share a funny story with a friend but for the most part I leave work at work. I’ve had to be really intentional in this area. Past Kari would call a colleague to talk about the day’s events (the good, the bad, the ugly) or share a frustration with the group chat. I didn’t realize how much time and energy I was using on “work stuff”.
- Disconnect – This is a BIG one for me. I typically don’t read or answer emails/texts outside of work hours. There are very few emails or phone calls that can’t wait until the next business day. I also leave my phone on the charger when I get home and try to knock out some housework without the distraction of my phone. Fresh air also does wonders for me, especially in winter, so I also try to get outside for a little bit each day.
- Do something good – Grab a drink with a friend, volunteer at church, or pick up a good book. Do SOMETHING that feels good to you. It doesn’t always have to be a grand gesture. Sometimes it’s the small things in the midst of the mundane that keep us going.
Sometimes burnout is inevitable but don’t forget to make room in your life for what’s important. Schedule the doctor’s appointment, make the most of your school breaks and don’t forget to reach out when you need help! We can’t be everything to everyone. I’m thankful everyday to work in a space that values me and the work I do. Have a very Merry Christmas and may your break be full of everything you need and want.