This is something I struggle with every single day. I worry about my students. I worry about my performance. I worry about things I cannot control. I worry about things not related to school. I worry about parent phone calls. It's safe to say I need to work on the worrying. Y'all I am so Martha. I worry about looking good and being good enough. I let the Mary's of the world spend time on the more important things in life while I bust my butt to get that last TPT item looking perfect or that door decorated just how I want it! In the book of Luke, the Bible says that only one thing is necessary. I'm breaking up with stress and worrying and going to start focusing on being more like Christ!
Break Up with Perfectionism
Being a teacher comes with certain standards, some more insurmountable than others. We are expected to be energetic, fun, and entertaining teachers, all while successfully teaching the required standards and material. How stinking exhausting is that? Add in the classroom transformations, song making, and Dollar Tree and Target trips and you've got one worn out teacher here! To make matters worse, I have an obsession with perfectionism. I love things going exactly as I plan, which doesn't often happen in a room full of 8 year olds! I spend way too long making sure that lessons and assessments and plans are exactly right. I'm going to attempt to work on letting things work themselves out. Having everything absolutely perfect all the time is over the top and I'm over it. Many of the people in the Bible that Jesus hung out with were messy, unorganized, and definitely not perfect. Who am I really trying to be perfect for... God, myself, or others? 2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds us that God delights in weakness. We are not perfect on purpose! His "power is made perfect in our weakness," and that is the most perfect joy.
Break Up with Comparing Myself to Others
Okay... Can we all agree that in the technologically advanced world we live in, just being ourselves is difficult? I see something on Instagram and I feel like I need to buy those earrings or eat at that restaurant because someone said to or that I need to teach amazingly fantastic lessons every second of every day. One of the biggest takeaways that I got from hearing Hope King speak at The Ron Clark Academy and Get Your Teach On was that not every lesson is out of this world. We only see what gets put up on social media. She is normal, just like us. Although, I'm pretty sure she's still a super hero. Started from the bottom, now she's there! Am I right? I have to constantly remind myself that bad days will happen. My kids will drive me bonkers. That perfectly planned lesson will have speed bumps. Teachers post their best ideas and lessons on social media so that we can learn from them, not be jealous of them! We are all in it for the students. Our best resource is each other, so let's use it positively and give ourselves some credit along the way. We're doing a great job! Galatians 1:10 asks if we are seeking the approval of man, or of God? Makes you think a little bit.
Break Up with Forgetting to be a Human
Going to the nail salon is one of my favorite treats! Relaxing, reading a magazine, and chatting with friends while someone rubs my tired little piggies is just the best. If it were financially possible, I would go every week! We need to treat ourselves more often with things like staycations, pedicures, and ice cream. We also need to take care of ourselves in less luxurious ways like getting more sleep, working out, and eating right. With this job, all three of those things sometimes seem impossible! My brain is constantly running, so sleep comes harder than it should. However, I love me a good nap. I'm so tired when I get home from school at 6 or 7 that I cannot wait to be horizontal. And my jar full of treats for my kids is forever dwindling because I love to snack on all the snacks. Who doesn't?! We've got to remember to take care of ourselves! If we're not on our game, how are we supposed to stand all day and be energized enough to teach memorable lessons to our kids? We have to have time for our own lives and the fun stuff. God gives us rest! I'm going to try and remember that next time I'm running through Party City like a maniac. If we cast our anxieties and stresses on Him, He will take control. He is in charge.
Break Up with Holding onto Things
This is a tough one. I have a hard time letting go of a lesson that went South or a comment that a student or fellow teacher made. I hold onto sour situations longer than I should. I put a lot of pressure on myself to continuously perform better than the day before. Sometimes, the things I'm holding onto take so much room in my brain and in my heart that I can't focus on anything I'm presently working on. And Lord knows I have enough focus issues already! I'm going to break up with holding onto those comments and negativity. In the words of my girl Elsa, "LET IT GOOO! LET IT GO!" And like my wise father says, "Just let it roll off you like rainwater." Praying that God helps me with this one. Proverbs 4:25-27 says, "Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil." STEADFAST! Not just somewhat positive and mediocre, but absolutely firm and confident.
Keep teaching like you mean it,
Meg