A new school year has begun! None like we’ve ever seen before! It’s hard to miss when you scroll through social media. All the “preparing the learning space” pictures, last “Hurrah!” Labor Day pictures, “first day of virtual school” pictures, “day 3 of virtual school” pictures, “drink all the wine” pictures… LOL!
It’s a little crazy. Especially from the teacher perspective. It’s easy to get caught up in other people’s stress and panic. Especially if you are an empathetic person. Sometimes it’s hard to tell what’s yours and what’s their’s. I’m finding it’s super important to know the difference. But that’s a post for another time…
Overall, things have been going quite well on my end. I certainly have my moments of frustration and exhaustion, just like everyone else. But I have a secret weapon.
Want to know what it is?
It keeps me sane.
Ready for it?
Here we go…
Routine.
More specifically, my morning routine.
That’s it.
Without it, I don’t think I would feel nearly as calm.
I’ve talked about having a morning routine before. If I’m being completely honest, I really got out of it during the summer and early pandemic times. It left me feeling a bit ungrounded. A little off. It was a weird feeling for me. Now that we’re back to school, it’s easier for me to reestablish that routine. There is a more defined structure to my day now.
I can share with you what I do, but really, you have to find what works for you. It’s a lot of trial and error. Checking in with yourself with how it makes you feel. How you feel afterwards and how you feel at the end of the day or in those moments that are more challenging.
For me the secret formula is a bit of yin and yang. Moments of quiet and stillness and moments of activity. I guess you could call it exercise. I have found the best combination for me is a little yoga, meditation and journaling followed by 20-30 mins of more strenuous activity that gets my heart rate up. It usually involves some resistance training.
That’s it.
That’s a routine that really sets me up for the day. Meals with my husband. Kitty cuddles in between. And tap dancing in the evenings (my latest passion!).
Structure and routine doesn’t have to be a bad thing. You can lean on it to help you in the more creative aspects of your life.
“The way you start your day determines how well you life your day.”
~Rabin Sharma
Do what makes you happy.