Well, I have been trying to be in the moment and enjoy the summer. I am just about half way until school resumes and I do feel like I have recharged a bit. It has not taken as much effort as I thought to recharge.
Hot Tub
We decided to buy a hot tub or spa, whatever you prefer to call it, back in the spring. We knew it would be a while until it was installed, due to all of the delays and shortages of cars, boats and other mechanical things. After waiting a month longer than estimated it arrived and has been a place to unwind and chill out.
The entire family has been enjoying it. I personally call it our hot pool! I hope we continue to enjoy it into the cooler months ahead, but for right now it is a great way to spend time device free.
Snacks of course!
Yoga
I have been back on the yoga classes train and I am loving it. It is so fulfilling to go to a live, in person class. Yoga in the park has been great too. Honestly, I just love hearing my instructors voice again! I need to also be around people…who love it it. The vibe adds to the experience.
Baking
Baking is obviously something I do frequently and share frequently. If you follow me on Instagram you will see I love to post my latest gluten free creations. I have been exploring new recipes, people post to Pinterest, and tweaking them to be gluten free and in some cases less fat too.
When you bake as much as I do and actually eat the treats too….cutting out some of the fat is not a bad thing! I find that I am substituting butters and oils for applesauce and Greek yogurt. None of this is completely new for baking, but when making things gf it can be tricky for consistency, texture and how moist something is. Some recipes taste great and others I head back to the mixing bowl!
Summer isn’t over. Hoping to enjoy and continue to recharge before the start of school. I will share more in the upcoming weeks. You can always follow me here and on Instagram to see what I’m up to.
I think most people who work year round think that when teachers close the door to their classrooms for Summer break we are done working, are ready to relax and have multiple weeks to do anything and everything we want. This may be true for some teachers, but I think for many of us the first weeks off can be a blur and filled with so many thoughts and emotions. I know this last statement to be true for me.
I love this message….what does this mean to you?
I have been off for a couple of weeks and I have definitely not felt like I was on vacation. I still wake up at my alarm clock time. I am still getting up early. I still have all of my momsibilities. By no means am I complaining, but I woke up this morning with my to do list on my mind and did one of the worst things I do when I get up….I check all the apps.
Checking all the apps is such a habit. I really need to make it a priority to not open my eyes and think I need to check multiple email accounts, Instagram and Facebook. When I figure out how to do this I’ll let you know. I know I’m not the only person who does this.
During my morning scroll I was looking at all of the awesome things people are doing this summer. I love Instagram because it is visual and quick, but this morning it seemed like I was seeing endless summer fun and I found this to be overwhelming.
Don’t get me wrong, I am thrilled people are enjoying life, but I have no idea how they are there yet. It takes me a few weeks to unwind from school and after the year we have all had, I am finding it more difficult to feel like I can relax and enjoy summer. Like I said I woke with a to do list on my mind.
Ending the year and practically jumping into the 4th seemed fast and not like a holiday. I was also driving my mini me to camp the first week off. Thankfully we chose a close, afternoon camp to attend, but I was still in turbo mom mode. I also started looking around, my mostly tidy house, and started to think of all of the neglected nooks and crannies that need a reboot. So, a few days off and the brain can not shut off, the to do lists can not stop and that internal pressure of I’m not doing enough can not shut off.
What I’ve Done So Far
Cleaned 20-21 teaching things out of my vehicle.
Organized cupboards.
Repotted some house plants.
Cleaned my closet.
Chauffeured child.
Started packing and planning for family vacation.
I know this is not a crazy amount of things completed, but I feel guilty that I am not doing more, not squeezing every minute of productivity out of my day. I also realize this is a wackado way of thinking. My mental to do list needs to take a vacation.
This might even get tweaked some more.
What I Think “Needs To Be Done”
Make more TpT resources.
Organize my basement teacher area.
Purge cupboards, closets and drawers.
Redo child’s playroom.
Paint front doors.
Deep clean.
Resource that is in the works!!
Notice zero relaxation or fun on my list. The list is reasonable and totally doable, but there needs to be a mental balance. Achieving this balance of projects and guilt free summer chill time is definitely going to be a challenge for me, but I know that rest is incredibly important, especially after this year of teaching.
What I Need for Balance
Yoga(in person)
Chats with friends
Books….not teacher PD
Family time
Less screen time
Netflix and chill
See or do something new
A little nature
Ice cream
Pedicures
Eat the good things….
I think that if I can balance external responsibilities with internal responsibilities this could be a restful and productive summer vacation. Having these weeks off are a gift. I never take the time off for granted, that is definitely where some of the guilt and pressure comes from, but if I don’t reset my mind and body I won’t be the best teacher I can be for my students this September.
I am going to try my best to walk the talk!
Complete tasks without feeling like I “have to”
Have 1 lazy day per week
Self care
Spend time with friends
Remember to breathe
Spend quality time with my people
Ignore the calendar
This is obviously the start of summer and I have weeks to go. I am going to add more posts about my summer balancing act, so check back for updates!
If you read my blog on a regular basis you already know that yoga has been a very good addition to my life. It is my jam. I am still growing and learning, which is one thing that keeps me coming back.
I love taking a class that kicks my ass. That amazing yoga high…where you feel tired but accomplished all at the same time…that is what I love the most. I think with my personality and my level of experience I am not in the zone where it is this awesome spiritual experience. It is a workout.
This being said, I know that so many of us are not practicing in person. Classes maybe be offered, but they are not like they once were. Life has changed and I have tried to adjust. I miss my classes so much.
I decided to make a space in my house where I can practice and not pick up. Zoom classes in the family room and kitchen were not my jam. I tried. I really did. Even though I really love the physical work component of a class…I did not get mental bonuses from this set up. Being out in the open, in my house, was not relaxing. So, I made space.
Ignore all the Amazon boxes to the left…holiday shopping.
I love the space I’ve created and I find it very easy to try on my own and do my own flow or take a class. I am happily surprised by how much this small personal change has helped with the changes that were forced upon us last year. I have added and edited my space over the past couple of months, loving the items I can look at before, during and after I flow.
My yoga instructor started a Sunday night yin class via Zoom. It is a slow and low impact class. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it, but it happens to be a perfect way to chase away the smonday vibes. She suggested we keep the lights low or practice by candlelight. I added some battery operated candles to my space and it is Sunday night perfection.
This is how it currently looks.
The longer holds stretch my body but they also stretch my mind. This year, this school year has had my mind racing. Taking time once a week to slow down takes effort. It seems like it should be an easy thing to do but it isn’t for me.
A faster flow doesn’t allow my mind to wander. I just listen and do. Yin classes encourage me to focus and try to practice being present. I love to think I am present in my daily life, but if I’m honest, I’m not. Atleast not everyday, all day. Deliberate and dedicated time is helping me see that I need to make and take time for my mental health.
I think I am not unlike many people, many women who think about physical health and appearance. These two things help support eachother, but what goes on inside my head is obviously masked and can be something I don’t acknowledge. Acknowledging the positive thoughts and moments is just as important as taking time to deal and cope with stressors or negative thoughts.
I’m very glad I made time and space to invite in another new layer to my yoga practice. I am overjoyed with how doing something out of my comfort zone has stretched me inside and out.
I am looking forward to the day when I can get back to in person classes, but until then I am going to continue to try my best and keep an open mind about different options for practice.
I am so incredibly happy to see art happening this school year. I recently stopped to snap a few pics of some really great pieces students have created at two of my schools. Walking the halls this year has been difficult at times, but seeing color and creativity has been good for my soul.
I don’t have alot to say for this post. I’m going to let the art speak for itself.
I will try to remember to stop and admire the next round of art. I think the small things are what will pull us through and hold us together this year. I am sure art on a cart has been a challenge for Art Teachers. Maybe we can all try to stop, look and compliment!
The Listening Ladybug 