Oh my, do I know the feeling... The final school bell has rung and you wish your learners a wonderful break as they buzz out of the school gates. You wave to families while you exchange tired smiles and “we did it” with your colleagues in the hallways. You return to the stillness of an empty classroom, which feels like walking into the calm after a storm. As you move around, switching off lights, and picking up little knick-knacks your class left behind; you finally start to exhale. Your shoulders drop, and your breath follows. Your mind turns to a gentle fog and your energy gives way to full zombie mode. You stop all impulses to theatrically fall to the floor while dreaming of the simple joy that will be tomorrow’s sleep-in. A wonderful collision of pride, delight, and relief fills your brain and body; it’s time for a holiday.
Before we dive into the magic of switching off and recharging effectively after a school term, let me highlight, that there are no rules or right ways to spend your time. Every teacher experiences a term differently, has different lives outside of the classroom, and embodies a unique set of needs, values, goals, priorities, and wishes for the school break. So, as you read through this article; remember it’s okay if your holiday looks different to your teacher pal’s, and to take what ideas resonate and leave what doesn’t; you know you best. Nonetheless, here are 6 steps I use to activate a glorious holiday mode. Welcome to my guide on how and when to recharge like a superstar; let’s go!
1. R E F L E C T
Gift yourself time to reflect on your term. Whether it’s before you leave school on the last day, in the evening, or sometime over the first weekend; grab a pen & paper, talk them out with a loved one, or simply brainstorm them internally:
• How do I feel about the last term in general?
• How were my energy levels?
• What went well professionally & personally?
• What felt challenging personally & professionally?
Reflecting early, while you’re still in teacher mode, is a productive way to accurately unpack, inspect, and release your experiences.
2. R E – S E T
With your answers in mind; curate an action plan for your next teaching block:
• What things could I focus on next term to support these challenges?
• What are my professional and personal goals?
• What are the important dates and reminders I need to note?
• What date during my holidays, will I re-visit these notes and prepare for next term?
Documenting these responses builds self-trust and focus. It signals to your brain, you will return to this to-do list and your classroom with clarity to pick up where you left off. Subsequently, it creates an incredible sense of inner calm to transition from teacher life to personal life. This might be one of the kindest things you could do for your tired teacher and future self.
3. B O U N D A R I E S
Make intentional choices about what switching off looks like for you. This could be deciding to:
• Turn your work computer off and store it away
• Have limited conversations about school
• Quiet email notifications
• Temporarily disable school apps
• Not engaging with planning until the date decided
Setting boundaries early in your holidays, is a nourishing way to mentally, emotionally, and physically gift yourself spaciousness from your teaching world. It may take a little practice in the first few days to step away, so be gentle with yourself, but remember you’re worth the effort and commitment.
4. C H E C K I N
With the administrative style of reflection completed, let’s move to you. To you as a person. How are you going? What do you need? Take a moment to sit with yourself. Ask yourself:
• How is my mental, emotional & physical health right now?
• How is my mind, heart, body, energy & zest?
• Do I need rest, play, connection, nourishment, or something else these holidays?
• Do I need a professional or a loved one’s support to unpack how I am doing?
• What plans could I put in place to restore & rejuvenate these holidays?
• What are my priorities & goals for this break?
Understanding how you are and what you need, enables you to create a nourishing plan for yourself and your holidays with confidence. Map it out. Permit yourself to show up for yourself, knowing it will look different for everyone and may very well look different from your last holiday, depending on where you’re at with your personal life. Regardless, you deserve to nurture yourself in a way that feels right for you, and yes, sleeping, no plans, and movies with popcorn are valid.
5. T Y P E S O F R E S T
There is zero doubt, every inch of you will be craving some time to de-stimulate from the joys of endless to-do lists, decision-making, and bustle. To dig a little deeper, and to get specific about what kind of rest you may need; Let’s go through the types of rest and some ideas of what that could look like:
Physical: Passive (sleep & naps) and active (yoga & walks)
Mental: Turn off social media & news, simplify to-do list
Sensory: Get sunshine, create calm environments, clean your home to refresh the energy
Creative: Pause problem-solving, invite art, nature and slow days
Emotional: Allow for your humanness, validate your emotions, and show up authentically
Social: Schedule in alone time and company with people who feel safe, cozy and like home
Spiritual: Meditate or connect to your community to gain a sense of grounding
Take notes and get curious about the types of rest that resonate with you and your needs. Schedule in time to honour rest throughout your holidays. Getting specific and setting small goals toward nourishing these elements of recharging, is good for the soul and sets you up to return to teaching restored and fulfilled.
6. S E L F C O M P A S S I O N
Self-compassion is the ability to gift yourself the same validation, kindness, acceptance, and love you give to others. Many of us, as educators, spend so much time giving to everyone around us, that it can feel awkward, weird, or even selfish to invest time back into ourselves. You may convince yourself to keep hustling, that you don’t need or deserve rest, or that there’s simply too much to do and too many people who still need you, even on holidays. This step, however, is to remind you, you are worthy of rest; you do not need to earn relaxation. You are worthy of your time. You are worthy of feeling restored and recharged during your holidays and upon return to school. You matter, too. Even if you are time-poor, or can only take small steps toward filling your cup back up; may these ideas be a lovely, clear and encouraging place to start.
Sending love always,
Jacqueline Irvine
@the_teachers_notebook