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How I cope with stress
As a new teacher, I have experienced more stress than ever over the past two months. Every day, I have something like 85 things on my list of things that have to get done, and I only have time to do about 10. Then the next day, 15 things get added to my list. I'm no math expert, but I believe that in the end, thousands of things will be left undone.
And that's OK. That's how I cope with my stress. I make lists. Then I cross off things that aren't that urgent. I check things off as I get them done, but the most satisfying part for me is crossing off things and saying, "Nope. Don't really need to do that." It's such a relief to get rid of baggage that way, because I give myself a reality check.
I have to face the fact that I'm not Superwoman (although sometimes I do feel I have special powers, but that's a whole nother blog). I can't possibly get all the things done that are required of teachers and take care of my own family at the same time. It just doesn't happen. And even the most experienced teachers tell me that. You have to let some things go -- a lot of things, actually. At first, that was so hard for me, because in most cases I'm a perfectionist who feels like a failure if I can't complete a task and do fabulously well at it. But I've learned.
In the process, my house has become a mess, my desk in my classroom is buried somewhere under papers and hall passes and Post-It Notes and paper clips and things-to-do lists. Laundry ... well, it's never-ending, and we've become a family that lives out of laundry baskets because somehow, if we're lucky enough to get the clothes washed, they never make it back to the dresser drawers before we need them again. Dishes ... on occasion, I've used a plastic Finding Nemo baby fork because all of our regular forks were dirty. And bills ... somehow I manage to get them paid on time, but right now I know I've got three or four lying around here somewhere, and it's on my list of things to do to find them. I probably shouldn't cross that one off just yet.
And that's OK. Sure I stress, and I have the gray hairs to prove it (which reminds me: I must color my hair again, and SOON). But I've learned to let things go. Beyond that, I have many outlets that are therapeudic for me: Writing, buying things, playing with my kids, annoying my husband, buying things, talking to people who are worse off than I am, watching reality TV, buying things, eating ice cream ... oh, and buying things. Some of these stress-relievers can lead to more problems, but since I've become an expert at letting things go, I don't care!
That's Why We Can't Have Nice Things
I have three kids: a 5-year-old son, an 1-year-old son, and a 37-year-old husband. I'll be publicly making fun of all of them.
As a new teacher, I have experienced more stress than ever over the past two months. Every day, I have something like 85 things on my list of things that have to get done, and I only have time to do about 10. Then the next day, 15 things get added to my list. I'm no math expert, but I believe that in the end, thousands of things will be left undone.
And that's OK. That's how I cope with my stress. I make lists. Then I cross off things that aren't that urgent. I check things off as I get them done, but the most satisfying part for me is crossing off things and saying, "Nope. Don't really need to do that." It's such a relief to get rid of baggage that way, because I give myself a reality check.
I have to face the fact that I'm not Superwoman (although sometimes I do feel I have special powers, but that's a whole nother blog). I can't possibly get all the things done that are required of teachers and take care of my own family at the same time. It just doesn't happen. And even the most experienced teachers tell me that. You have to let some things go -- a lot of things, actually. At first, that was so hard for me, because in most cases I'm a perfectionist who feels like a failure if I can't complete a task and do fabulously well at it. But I've learned.
In the process, my house has become a mess, my desk in my classroom is buried somewhere under papers and hall passes and Post-It Notes and paper clips and things-to-do lists. Laundry ... well, it's never-ending, and we've become a family that lives out of laundry baskets because somehow, if we're lucky enough to get the clothes washed, they never make it back to the dresser drawers before we need them again. Dishes ... on occasion, I've used a plastic Finding Nemo baby fork because all of our regular forks were dirty. And bills ... somehow I manage to get them paid on time, but right now I know I've got three or four lying around here somewhere, and it's on my list of things to do to find them. I probably shouldn't cross that one off just yet.
And that's OK. Sure I stress, and I have the gray hairs to prove it (which reminds me: I must color my hair again, and SOON). But I've learned to let things go. Beyond that, I have many outlets that are therapeudic for me: Writing, buying things, playing with my kids, annoying my husband, buying things, talking to people who are worse off than I am, watching reality TV, buying things, eating ice cream ... oh, and buying things. Some of these stress-relievers can lead to more problems, but since I've become an expert at letting things go, I don't care!
Comments
OK, I know I'm slow. I actually read this particular blog, yes, let's see, 2 months ago! I'm finally adding to it. Why? I was re-reading it today and realized ... Wow! I totally relate to this! I make lists, lots of lists of all the things that I need to do. My list for today, for instance, can go on and on for months and months, even years and then it really becomes extremely overwhelming. How in the world can I get all this stuff done? And on time? (On time for what? you ask. On time for family get-to-gethers, Christmas. Stuff like finishing Spring cleaning before Fall cleaning starts.) One year, I didn't finish Spring cleaning ... so I could never start Fall cleaning. This bothered me to no end. So instead of starting Spring cleaning the next Spring ... I attempted to finish Spring cleaning from the year before. That is sad! So I just recently ... and very recently; this year in fact, learned to "just let it go". With the Husband's heart problems and other health issues ... the lists ... not so important any more. I think my Daughter is a lot smarter than her old Mom ... but at least we are on the same track (It has just taken me a lot longer to get there). I still make lists, as I am sure you do also; but what doesn't get crossed out as complete, gets wadded up and tossed in the trash can. I feel so free!
Disclaimer: My "virtual" picture in no way depicts my true image. "Smiley" goes here.