I did something uncharacteristic over Christmas break: I
made sure my actions were in accord with my priorities. My priority this year
came from a great need to slow down and be present to my family. Typically, I
put my family off and fill all available time with grading and planning—because
there is always more that could be done. And I LOVE my work!
made sure my actions were in accord with my priorities. My priority this year
came from a great need to slow down and be present to my family. Typically, I
put my family off and fill all available time with grading and planning—because
there is always more that could be done. And I LOVE my work!
However, by the end of the semester I was starting to feel a
little bit crabby about grading and about students. I knew I needed time away
from it to recharge my spirit. So, I compartmentalized school-related work to grading
finals at the beginning and left everything else for this week.
little bit crabby about grading and about students. I knew I needed time away
from it to recharge my spirit. So, I compartmentalized school-related work to grading
finals at the beginning and left everything else for this week.
I’ve learned from colleagues that I can trust I will find
ample time to keep up with lesson planning; I don’t need to figure out months
of curriculum all at once. In fact, that is often a waste of time as the class
evolves differently from what I expect. There needs to be room to meet the
students where they are and adjust to each unique class.
ample time to keep up with lesson planning; I don’t need to figure out months
of curriculum all at once. In fact, that is often a waste of time as the class
evolves differently from what I expect. There needs to be room to meet the
students where they are and adjust to each unique class.
Meanwhile, I simply wanted to be available for my kids and my
visiting mom. I set up a 1500-piece puzzle on a card table in the family room. I
made a list of possible things to watch or do, such as baking, but I didn’t
hold to it like an agenda. I set a tone for myself and stuck with it. I
remained open to what each day presented.
visiting mom. I set up a 1500-piece puzzle on a card table in the family room. I
made a list of possible things to watch or do, such as baking, but I didn’t
hold to it like an agenda. I set a tone for myself and stuck with it. I
remained open to what each day presented.
Wow. What a difference. And what joy to see various familymembers and friends take a turn at the puzzle. To play cards and just chat with
my mom. To binge an Amazon show with my daughter. To take a family trip to
Monterey and discover a wonderful little tea shop. To hike at Lands End on New
Year’s Day. I’d never done that, and it was stunning.
Over break, I almost finished two books: one about—serendipitously–parenting
in the present moment and the other, a popular Young Adult title. I laughed a
lot. I made sure to prepare my kids’ favorite breakfast casserole on Christmas
morning. I volunteered last minute to host Christmas dinner and didn’t stress
(thanks to paper plates and food contributions from many).
in the present moment and the other, a popular Young Adult title. I laughed a
lot. I made sure to prepare my kids’ favorite breakfast casserole on Christmas
morning. I volunteered last minute to host Christmas dinner and didn’t stress
(thanks to paper plates and food contributions from many).
I saw nieces and nephews. I had lunch with my brother. I
learned a new board game. I visited a museum for an exhibit I’d been wanting to
see.
learned a new board game. I visited a museum for an exhibit I’d been wanting to
see.
And
when ideas popped into my head for the first week of school, I took some quick
notes in my phone and moved on. I feel recharged and ready!