Monday, January 7, 2013

Back from Break!

So today, I walked into my classroom having not touched it since the 21st.

I know some of you had that situation but can't help it, but ever since the 30th, I was able to come into school if I wanted to, and I didn't. In fact, I didn't even touch the mountain of grading I needed to catch up on until two days ago (and it's still only about half done).

I walked in almost wanting to put my hand over my eyes. Seriously, had I not been carrying 20 lbs. of Teacher Bag and Overflow Teacher Bag, I probably would have been peeking through my fingers. I was remembering stacks and piles and just plain mess...



And it wasn't as bad as I remembered! VICTORY!

Now, I still have a school To Do list about 3 miles long, but I don't really mind.

I feel like I actually got a break.

My husband knows- I always do this thing on a break where I relax a little, but not enough to feel relaxed and I get some things done, but not enough to feel accomplished. It leaves me in this awkward catch-22 where I didn't get enough of either thing- relaxation or productivity- and leaves me feeling worse than I started.

This break, I finally did it. I took enough of a true stay-in-pajamas, watch-too-much-TV, eat-junk-food, just-plain-hang out break for it to actually feel like a break from work.

And yet, I got enough done around the house (and enough quality time with loved ones) to not feel like the break was a total waste, either.

Sure, my classroom is a pit. But when I came in today, I didn't have any regrets, and that's pretty darn amazing.

As any teacher but especially a new teacher, I feel like it's so easy to let yourself constantly feel swamped, like there are a million things you HAVE to do. But I'm going to try to give myself one night a week that is just "off"- where I don't do anything school-related and don't feel a bit guilty, because man, this break felt wonderful.

It was JUST what I needed!

I hope you had a great day today!! How do you give yourself enough "me" time during the school year?

2 comments:

  1. I was in the same boat! I left school before break after just cleaning up the snacks from the party. I cringed at the thought of going back in, but it wasn;t as bad as I remembered on Wednesday. Then I promptly decided to rearrange everything and did make a big mess!

    After 12 years of teaching, I am still trying to figure out the "me time" thing. I try to leave as much as I can at school after work, leave by 5:00, and I try to leave everything at school on theh weekends. If I go into school, I only give myself an hour or two.

    I'm glad I found your blog! I love checking out what other 3rd grade teachers are doing!

    Christine

    leapingintothird.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I did exactly what you did (and usually do exactly what you usually do, too!), and it was NICE! Glad you enjoyed yourself. We, teachers, need it sometimes!!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!