Choose Wisely
As a teacher, I am often met with the question, what are you going to do with your summer? Some summers are for filling my cup. Traveling, reading, connecting with friends… Others are for rebooting. Some of the activities may even look the same, but the intention is different. My friends and I think of it as emptying the cup. Languishing mornings sitting on my patio, sipping tea, holding my book more than reading, watching the birds, listening to the leaves rustle…
Last summer I got Lyme’s Disease and was really sick for months. Just as I was starting to feel better, school started. Just after that, I had an assignment change at work, in the middle of the first cardmarking. As I started to feel more settled, the semester changed and I found myself with 4 different classes. Despite how much I loved my new position, it was hectic, stressful, and a lot of work. I also experienced personal losses and have friends carrying heavy loads. It is a lot. I have felt tired lately, and my inner critic has been LOUD! We all go through phases of feeling burnt out and overwhelmed in life, I am feeling a bit of that now.
How we navigate these emotions can make a significant impact on our ability to bounce back. It's crucial not to let burnout consume us. I know, I have been there before. This is a pretty normal feeling at this time of the year for teachers and even the adults of school aged kids. The hyper achiever in me LOVES to accomplish, create, and DO, but it can leave me depleted and fatigued. I am feeling that now. Both joy and heavy heartedness, success and disappointment have the power to influence our thoughts and energy. Be careful what you choose to focus on. Choosing to look at what is working and what is going well will aid in recovery and pave the way for more satisfaction. It will energetically raise your vibrations.
When burnout takes hold, it can taint our outlook on life and hinder our pursuit of love and fulfillment. It can create a barrier between us and our inner voice, that which we really are, underneath all of the egoic chatter and nonsense. Stay focused on what you want and what is working.
Burnout is an inevitable part of life, much like the ebb and flow of energy. Dwelling on these draining feelings for too long can prevent us from experiencing the joy and renewal that our inner voice has waiting for us. So instead of focusing on the heavy thoughts, constantly talking about them with others, I choose to revise my outlook. I have a small accountability group that I check in with regularly. On the heavy days, I share what I am feeling. Sometimes they help me reframe, sometimes in the sharing I can find the rewrite myself. The intention is not to complain and then stew in what is not working or what I don’t like. The intention is to find the blessing or the gift in a situation (knowing I have supportive friends where I can be vulnerable, inner strength that I didn’t realize I had, skills I didn’t realize I possessed)...
Finding happiness during times of burnout may feel like an uphill battle. Take a moment to remember instances of pure joy, no matter how fleeting they may seem. Consider keeping a journal of gratitude to remind yourself of the positive aspects of your life and engage in activities that bring you happiness. Find ways to be of service to others, or set an intention to play your role and get out, without letting your thoughts create a story that you don’t want. By continuously refocusing your thoughts on what you want, what is working, and what you can do, you experience higher vibration emotions and can rebound from burnout quicker.
Address practical matters that contribute to your burnout, but avoid getting stuck in a cycle of self-pity. Assess the situation, feel what you feel, then ask what is one small step I can take to improve how I feel? Shift your focus towards brighter moments and the possibilities that lie ahead. Make a joy list. Have a go to list of things that energize you, make you happy, peaceful and fulfilled. It can be as simple as a walk in the woods, or an epsom bath, or it could be going to your favorite breakfast joint, punching and kicking a bag, or a delicious somatic yoga class. Make a conscious choice to prioritize joy over sorrow and embark on a path guided by your inner light.
After being sick last summer, and the change in my class load, I am going to take it easy this summer. As not to say I won’t travel or have fun. I am intentionally not making many plans. Each day I plan to wake up and ask myself what is it that I most need today? What would help me fill my soul or empty my cup? I will work hard and create. I will laze and rest. I will purge the garage and fill my counter with fresh fruits and vegetables. I will do these things because I want to, not because I need to or should do them. I will reboot and recharge, creating the salubrious life I desire.
Creating this type of life involves making choices that promote both physical and mental well-being. This includes engaging in regular exercise, eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, getting enough sleep each night, and managing stress through activities like mindfulness, practicing choosing your thoughts when the stakes aren’t high, and/or spending time in nature. By prioritizing self-care, setting goals, and surrounding yourself with positive influences, you can cultivate a lifestyle that supports your overall health and happiness, leading to a more fulfilling and vibrant existence.
This is my intention for the summer and it is my wish for you. Do what makes you happy. Do what makes you feel good. Rest, reboot, recharge my friends. You deserve it!
Be well,
Traci
