How to Make Self-Care Something You Can ACTUALLY do?
Self Love
Meditation and Journaling
Movement and Active Hobbies
Audiobooks, Podcasts or Reading
Sleep, Rest and Play
How to Make Self-Care Something You Can ACTUALLY do?
Self Love
Meditation and Journaling
Movement and Active Hobbies
Audiobooks, Podcasts or Reading
Sleep, Rest and Play
“How the heck do I prioritize myself when my job is SO STRESSFUL?”
If you’re an achiever AND people-pleaser like me, this is probably a question you ask yourself a lot. I know I used to. I spent every waking moment feeling like I was behind and trying to keep my head above water. It took me years to feel like myself again and that I wasn’t consumed with work.
If you’ve been in that same position, but not knowing how to “fix it”–this blog pep talk slash training is for YOU. This is what I wish I knew about resting, self-care, and prioritizing myself… and the advice I would give to first-year teaching me if I could talk to her right now. I’ll start with an obnoxious buzzword:
If you’re an achiever AND people-pleaser like me, this is probably a question you ask yourself a lot. I know I used to. I spent every waking moment feeling like I was behind and trying to keep my head above water. It took me years to feel like myself again and that I wasn’t consumed with work.
If you’ve been in that same position, but not knowing how to “fix it”–this blog pep talk slash training is for YOU. This is what I wish I knew about resting, self-care, and prioritizing myself… and the advice I would give to first-year teaching me if I could talk to her right now. I’ll start with an obnoxious buzzword:
SELF-CARE
Lack of dealing with our stress is the reason that we have anxiety about work. Dealing with stress, day after day, with no end in sight, leads to burnout. You see, 20-30% of teachers have moderate to severe levels of burnout. The signs? Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and decreased sense of accomplishment. Any of you ever feel that way?
WE NEED TO START PRIORITIZING US, and it’s unfortunate that wellness has turned into another to-do for everyone to strive for. Self-care becomes a task we try to check off and feel behind on, rather than something that rejuvenates us or makes us feel any better. It doesn’t help that the media and our districts sent out emails and training on the importance of self-care in the midst of us teaching DURING A PANDEMIC.
That’s why so many people roll their eyes at the phrase, “Self-care.” But, the objection that we have no time to fill our cup is a limiting belief — and if you stick to your limitations you get to keep them. And it just isn’t true.
SELF-CARE
Lack of dealing with our stress is the reason that we have anxiety about work. Dealing with stress, day after day, with no end in sight, leads to burnout. You see, 20-30% of teachers have moderate to severe levels of burnout. The signs? Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and decreased sense of accomplishment. Any of you ever feel that way?
WE NEED TO START PRIORITIZING US, and it’s unfortunate that wellness has turned into another to-do for everyone to strive for. Self-care becomes a task we try to check off and feel behind on, rather than something that rejuvenates us or makes us feel any better. It doesn’t help that the media and our districts sent out emails and training on the importance of self-care in the midst of us teaching DURING A PANDEMIC.
That’s why so many people roll their eyes at the phrase, “Self-care.” But, the objection that we have no time to fill our cup is a limiting belief — and if you stick to your limitations you get to keep them. And it just isn’t true.
BRAINSTORMING
Think of some activities and things YOU can do that make you happy, relaxed, content, fulfilled…these things don’t have to take a lot of time…they don’t need to cost a lot of money…in fact, it’s better if they don’t.
Don’t think too hard… Now BRAIN DUMP all of these ideas onto a piece of paper. This is different for each person, and that’s totally okay. These should be tasks that aren’t for the sake of productivity, but just for YOU.
We’re going to call this your JOY list.
BRAINSTORMING
Think of some activities and things YOU can do that make you happy, relaxed, content, fulfilled…these things don’t have to take a lot of time…they don’t need to cost a lot of money…in fact, it’s better if they don’t.
Don’t think too hard… Now BRAIN DUMP all of these ideas onto a piece of paper. This is different for each person, and that’s totally okay. These should be tasks that aren’t for the sake of productivity, but just for YOU.
We’re going to call this your JOY list.
HOW TO ACTUALLY INCORPORATE THIS WITHOUT GETTING OVERWHELMED?
Each morning, while you’re drinking your coffee or driving to work, ask yourself THESE questions:
☑️What am I LOOKING FORWARD TO today?
☑️What thing off my joy list can I incorporate?
☑️WHEN can I do that thing?
Sometimes it’s just the intentionality of building something small into your day-to-day that can help you get out of a funk and find the positivity in your life when things are challenging.
HOW TO ACTUALLY INCORPORATE THIS WITHOUT GETTING OVERWHELMED?
Each morning, while you’re drinking your coffee or driving to work, ask yourself THESE questions:
☑️What am I LOOKING FORWARD TO today?
☑️What thing off my joy list can I incorporate?
☑️WHEN can I do that thing?
Sometimes it’s just the intentionality of building something small into your day-to-day that can help you get out of a funk and find the positivity in your life when things are challenging.
NEED IDEAS?
Below is a brain dump of 50 of My Own Joy List Ideas. Take some for yourself if you like!
Dance
Make a playlist
Do a facemask
Light a candle…or incense…or a Scentsy…or essential oils
Walk around the block
Roller skate or bike ride
Take a mindful shower or bath
Read
Draw or sketch
Watch one episode of a show I love
Create a vision board
Body brush
Go thrift shopping
Meditate
Call a relative
Play with my pets
Yoga
Hike
Take photos
Take care of plants
Stargaze
Plan a trip
Journal
Chill in my hammock
Foam roll
Do your nails (or get them done)
Write a letter
Watch the sunset
Watch the sunrise
Enjoy a coffee drink you love
Unplug
Organize something
Listen to a new podcast
Go to the Farmer’s market
Write affirmations on a mirror or sticky note
Look up inspirational quotes
Set goals
Play a board game
Marie Kondo something
Watch a documentary
Watch a comedy special
Cuddle
Try a DIY
Grounding
Have a picnic
Swim
Learn a TikTok dance
Volunteer
Brain dump a to-do list
Look through old photos
I can’t wait to see you make a routine out of prioritizing you:)
Need support/accountability along the way? Check out the Recharge Hub!
NEED IDEAS?
Below is a brain dump of 50 of My Own Joy List Ideas. Take some for yourself if you like!
Dance
Make a playlist
Do a facemask
Light a candle…or incense…or a Scentsy…or essential oils
Walk around the block
Roller skate or bike ride
Take a mindful shower or bath
Read
Draw or sketch
Watch one episode of a show I love
Create a vision board
Body brush
Go thrift shopping
Meditate
Call a relative
Play with my pets
Yoga
Hike
Take photos
Take care of plants
Stargaze
Plan a trip
Journal
Chill in my hammock
Foam roll
Do your nails (or get them done)
Write a letter
Watch the sunset
Watch the sunrise
Enjoy a coffee drink you love
Unplug
Organize something
Listen to a new podcast
Go to the Farmer’s market
Write affirmations on a mirror or sticky note
Look up inspirational quotes
Set goals
Play a board game
Marie Kondo something
Watch a documentary
Watch a comedy special
Cuddle
Try a DIY
Grounding
Have a picnic
Swim
Learn a TikTok dance
Volunteer
Brain dump a to-do list
Look through old photos
