Setting boundaries doesn’t come easy to me, but I’m learning even when it feels uncomfortable.

I don’t protect my time well. I tend to say ‘yes’ more often than I say ‘no’.

I bring my work life into my home life; I struggle to separate the two.

As a new teacher, I wish I hadn’t rebuffed the idea that we are not defined by our jobs or professions; we are more than that. Instead, I prided myself as a teacher who worked long hours and gave all of herself to her profession. Even now, I find it difficult to reject the idea that by setting boundaries between work and home I am somehow betraying myself. Yet, it is absolutely true that by giving more of my mental and physical energy to my career, I am giving less to everyone else around me, including myself.

This year I’ve made some changes that have improved my mental health, so that I feel less overwhelmed, but also good about teaching again. At the very least, I am putting challenging situations in perspective and learning not to internalize the negative.

Change #1: I stay an hour past the end of the day two or three days a week. During this time, I respond to children’s work. I plan for the next day. I respond to parent emails. I organize my notes.

My goal during these times is to increase my productivity while at school.

Change #2: Every day after school, I go to the gym or for a long walk.

Sometimes I take a class. Other times, I walk around the track and lift weights.

Change #3: I write every day for at least twenty minutes.

I have a few projects on the go and scheduling time to write allows me to make progress on my writing.

Change #4: In my conversations with others, I make an effort to only talk about funny incidents or what went well. I keep this light and brief.

I recognize that this can be hard sometimes, especially if I’m having a hard day. As a calming strategy, though this may seem counter intuitive, I sometimes vent into the pages of my teacher journal. Meditating also helps.

Change #5: I stop what I’m doing and listen to my students as they come in at the beginning of the school day because that always makes me smile.

Of course, this is a process and while there will be progress, there may also be setbacks as we implement new habits and behaviors. So, we need to give ourselves grace as we embark on this journey. One step at a time. One habit change at a time.

What changes have you made so that you feel more energized and productive? Share in the comments section below so we can all support each other. Thank you!