 Photo by w.r_t2 at Pexels.com "You can't pour from an empty cup." Last week I had myself "a day" at work. It was certainly not my best day, nor a very productive one. With Halloween at the end of the week, you can just imagine that getting 17 students to settle in and get their work done was next to impossible. There was a silly energy in the air, and their attention was on anything else than the lessons I had prepared. At the end of the day I found myself extremely exhausted and frazzled thinking "What is even happening today?" I was a bit beside myself and needed something to help me in my time of need, but what I needed was the dilemma. Thinking through some options, it finally hit me! I remembered something that was sure to save the day. It had been there all along. It had been sitting in my teaching bag literally for two months: my emergency chocolate bar. You see, on the first day of school I was given my favourite chocolate bar, a Twix bar, by my amazing vice principal to welcome me back. Trying to make healthy choices, I had decided to save it for another time, or a day such as this. Frantically I searched for that bad boy in my huge tote bag, amongst the notebooks, papers, pens and stickers. Like a dog digging up a long lost bone, I was determined to find it. I was on a mission. My eyes lit up realizing my day was about to get so much better when I finally spotted that sweet sensation. There it was! My Twix bar. Sure it was flat as a pancake, a bit worse for wear, and had clearly seen better days, but at this point none of that mattered to me. I had not had chocolate in so long. It was not on my eating plan, but today I made an exception. I needed it. I had no regrets. That little chocolate bar lifted my spirits in a big way. Enjoying the Twix bar, as simple as it may seem helped me see that I had the power to put something positive in my day. It was a choice and a reminder that often small joys have a big impact on developing a more optimistic perspective. Self care is not selfish Photo by Little Lessons Learned by Dana Enjoying the Twix bar without guilt represents for me an act of self care. I need to take care of myself to keep my spirits up and keep on going day after day. There is too many people counting on me to not make myself a priority. If I am not at my best, it will affect a lot of people so I must strive to do what I need to do to get in the right headspace and fill my own tank. Exercise, quiet time, naps, coffee in copious amounts, prayer and Bible reading, a night out, a great chat with a friend, or watching a favourite funny movie or TV show are activities I enjoy to take care of little old Me, Myself and I. I have even starting giving myself a high-five each morning inspired by Mel Robbins’ High 5 Habit because I need to be my own cheerleader more. I am an amazing person, loved by God put on this earth with a calling and distinct purpose and I am kind of a big deal.  Photo by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels.com Fill er up!All of the above statements are so true for you as well. You are such an incredible and special person. The world is honestly a better place simply because YOU exist. What fills your cup? Do more of that, please — and the more often, the better. Fill that cup to overflowing. The world needs you — and respectfully, not the stressed-out, maxed-out version of you. Instead, this world needs the best version of you, and you simply cannot offer that if you are depleted and empty. Call to action
Until next time friends, Take care of yourself and I really mean that! Dana Copyright: littlelessonslearnedbydana, © 2025 A final thought and update: I told my students about my emergency chocolate bar episode and they found it quite funny and in case you are wondering even with Halloween looming my week did indeed get much, much better. Authors note: ~ The High 5 Habit: Take Control of Your Life By One Simple Habit by Mel Robbins is the inspiration behind my new high-five habit.
Tags: self care, fill your tank, the high 5 habit, mel robbins, take care of yourself, teacher self-care, emotional burnout, how to recharge as a teacher, self-care for educators, mental health for teachers, small joys in teaching, faith and wellness, the High 5 Habit, Mel Robbins inspiration
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 Photo by Kristen May "Take a deep breath and enjoy your life." Author Unknown Congrats everyone! Summer is here! WE MADE IT! I hope you have some quiet time and vacation time set aside for you and your family. I have some great getaways planned and am also excited to just not be tied to a schedule and bell all day like when I am teaching. Down time away from the craziness of daily routines is so therapeutic to our souls. We need to just slow down and BREATHE. Sometimes when it gets a little hectic in the classroom, and I need to get everyone focused and just calm ourselves a bit, I do so by doing some deep breaths in and out together. It always works as it puts everyone’s focus on relaxing and breathing properly. An added bonus is it also brings out lots of giggles as they like to see who can exhale the longest! When I was doing addictions counselling I remember on a training video the power of deep breathing was described as well. The trainer was describing how when she was struggling with her own addiction recovery, how deep breathing would help her overcome potential relapse situations. She mentioned that studies have shown by just breathing deeply, it can actually alter your brain chemistry allowing the body to come into a more relaxed and functional state.  Photo by Suzy Hazelwood Overscheduling is a chronic issue in today’s society. We can feel overwhelmed and feel that we are always trying to play beat the clock. I know I have been in that category. I remember one little guy telling me at school that he was dreading that evening so much. He explained that he had basketball practice at school, then lacrosse and hockey practice and finally guitar lessons. Yikes! Kids are crying out for breathing room as well. This is why recess is so important and why they enjoy it so much. Everyone needs those breaks to keep them going. When we make the conscious effort to schedule in what is beneficial for us, it helps us to focus better on who and what is most important to us as well. We can learn to be better listeners and be emotionally, not just physically present with our loved ones and just enjoy the moment. As cliché as it sounds time does pass so quickly and I know I have had regrets from when my kids were small. I wished I had put my "To Do" list aside more often and just followed my heart. Live and learn as they say.  Maybe breathing room for you is starting something new like taking up a new hobby or joining an exercise class or book club. There are so many possibilities and examining them and how they can bring value to your life is very exciting. When we feel that we are taking good care of ourselves, we are much more effective to others. I just got back from an Aquafit class and have a huge pile of library books calling my name as we speak! Even Jesus took time to get away from the crowd and pray. As much as he loved the people, being around them 24/7 was exhausting, so finding solitude was very therapeutic for him as well. Life is a journey of ups and downs and there are enough activities to keep us very busy all day long if we choose. Please don't be that person. Don’t neglect to pencil in some breathing room into your calendar. You will be so glad you did, and you will ultimately be such a better person for it. Until next time ~ Dana Matthew 11:28 ~ Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Little Lesson Learned: Breathing room along the way makes for a much more fulfilling day. © 2024, 2nd edition, 1st edition, 2016, Breathing Room littlelessonslearnedbydana
Tags: quiet time, rest, vacation, me time, self care |
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