3 Things Teachers Need to Do for Self Care in 2019
So, it’s not even Thanksgiving yet, and it may feel a little funny to be thinking about 2019, but I am here to tell you that you should start! So many of us approach the holidays with this attitude of eating and stressing at maximum capacity, because we know that we can turn a new leaf come January. BUT my goal this year is to not feel like I need a fresh start on January 1st, but instead to feel like I’ve come a long way towards reaching my goals, and I can just continue on the path that I’m on!
That being said, it’s never too early to start curating ways to take care of yourself. Start now, and make it a habit that you can actually keep in the new year! And, I’m not talking about regular spa days or pedicures (although those things are awesome and I hope we all have time for those things, too!)
I saw a photo circulating the other day that described the three types of hobbies that people should have. I have all three of these already, and I was reflecting on how it has impacted my life to have added these things into the mix. As a teacher this year, compared to me in years past, I feel that I have more energy to give back to my students this year, and I have a clearer head when it comes to problem-solving and lesson planning. I’m happier, more efficient, and all-around more relaxed. I credit that to the fact that I have taken more time to pour into myself this year than I ever have before. So, I wanted to share the things that I’ve adopted as self-care this past year:
1.) Find your side hustle.
If you don’t already have a side hustle, I can’t speak highly enough at what it does for your energy levels to have one. Feeling like something you did was worthy of someone else’s spending money is a high that you have to experience for yourself to understand. Nothing makes you feel more like a boss than coming home and working on your passion project, and then turning around and making some extra money off of it. It’s liberating to have that extra cash-flow and know that you can provide for yourself or your family if your full-time gig falls through. So, in 2019, find that thing that you are truly gifted at, and share it with the world. People will pay good money for it, I promise.
2.) Find the fitness routine that you love.
If working out is not your thing, I’m not here to tell you that it has to be. I am here to tell you that being healthy is important (duh), and it’s up to you to decide what healthy means for your body. Not everyone is in it for the weight loss, and not everyone feels that endorphin high after doing some cardio. Staying healthy and in-shape does not need to look like anyone else around you.
I recently took up running, and I can tell you with all of the honesty that I possess that I hated running prior to doing it regularly. Like, I can’t tell you how many times I decided that I wanted to “start running”, only to talk myself out of it three minutes into day 1. But, I have been sticking with somewhat of a routine since June, and it has transformed my mental state. I can’t explain it, but sometimes just deciding to stick with something is the mental hurdle you needed to clear to actually be the kind of person who “works out”.
3.) Find a hobby that just lets you be creative.
This one many intersect with number 1, and that’s perfectly fine. But, sometimes when you turn something you love into a small business, there’s this whole other level of work that comes along with it. If your side hustle is also your creative outlet, make time to do that thing without any pressure to sell it.
Or, pick up a hobby that you are learning for the first time that lets you exercise those creative muscles pressure-free. Maybe you want to learn a new instrument, or practice painting, or hand-lettering. There is no shortage of YouTube tutorials out there to teach you literally anything you want to learn how to do. Carving out that time to learn or practice a creative hobby can be so restorative after a whole day of taking care of little people and teaching them how to do new things.
So, there you have it, friends. 3 ways to feel more well-rounded and like you’re taking care of yourself on the reg. What do you do for self-care? Do you do anything that fits in one of these categories? Do you think these things are important? Share below!
