A Reflection to Overcome Self-Care Guilt
New blog posts are usually released on Tuesday, but yesterday, for my own wellbeing, I needed to pause work on this wellness post - and, you know what? That’s okay. It’s okay to prioritize our mental and physical wellbeing.
If you feel your wellbeing is suffering right now, consider giving yourself the gift of space and grace today - it is truly a gift, and one we all need and deserve.
Say no to a commitment that’s just a little too overwhelming, take a break from screens for an hour or two, engage in an activity you love that you haven’t found time for recently. Take some of the pressure off of yourself to do everything perfectly this busy time of year.
And if you, like me, sometimes struggle with guilt when you’re not grinding your gears or hitting every deadline, please keep reading!
Here are 3 questions that can help you move through guilt so you can find ease and peace as you care for your precious body, mind and soul.
How To
The next time you notice uncomfortable or guilty thoughts when practicing self-care, reflect on the following:
1.
Call to mind someone you deeply care for. It can be a family member, friend, partner, child, student, etc. Would you want that person to feel guilty while meeting their human needs for rest, connection and care? What would you say to that loved one if they were feeling guilty? What kind of life would you want for them? Whatever level of care you wish for them, may you know you are deserving of that same care.
2.
Imagine yourself at 90 years old, looking back at life. How would you be hoping you had cared for yourself now? How might meeting your needs now help you continue to serve in education for years to come?
3.
Consider the ways in which meeting your needs can ripple out to benefit your community. In what ways do your mood and energy impact your students, coworkers, and loved ones? Is there a difference on days you feel well-cared for and ones where you don’t have much left to give? May we all balance caring for ourselves so that we can live in healthier community with one another.
I hope you find these reflections helpful during this busy month. Yes, winter break is soon, but please remember you are worthy of rest and care now.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Sometimes I just want someone to put me to bed, stroke my hair and say:
'It’s okay. You don’t have to be strong all the time… Just rest now.’”
- Ranata Suzuki
If you found this teacher wellness post helpful, share it with an educator you care about :)
Until next week,
Emily Hemmingson
Health Coach for Teachers
Founder of The Teacher Wellness Center
Prevent Burnout + Prioritize Your Health Goals in Private Coaching!
STAY CONNECTED WITH OUR TEACHER 3-2-1 NEWSLETTER
Thank you for taking a moment to join me, and for giving yourself a moment to consider your needs this school week. You can get actionable ideas each week in my popular email Teacher 3-2-1 newsletter. Each week, I share 3 burnout prevention ideas, 2 quotes from others, and 1 wellness question to think about. Thousands of teachers are already subscribed. Enter your email below to join the community!