Some months drag forever, some weeks feel like an eternity. No time flies like the start of the school year in September. When every step forward feels like two steps back, it’s no surprise to look up into the face of October with shock. Here is this teacher’s hot take on preventing burn on in September by focusing on cultivating the simple things.

Terrible Teacher Truth #7 Time is Relative

Sometimes, most of the time dare I suggest, it is the four day weeks that feel like the longest. Why is that? My latest hypothesis is once you find routine and rhythm in the five day learning cycle, even one day off feels like leaving the rails of the rollercoaster.

Please do not mistake me, I love and appreciate a four day week just as much as the next human. But it was waking up on September 30th wondering if this was a good month or just a quick month? Either way, I will confess, you seem like a reliable audience anyway, that I have enjoyed finding a routine and consistent habits again. I love predictability, crave it even, and with the weather getting cooler, I finally feel like I am shaking off my summer slump.

It’s the small things, over and over, that make months like September fly by in the blink of an eye. Finding routines to not only support student behavior, but to also help me find balance between work and life. Maybe, one step at a time.

Terrible Teacher Truth # 8 Savor Every Moment of Freedom

On these exciting three day weekends, I have learned that if I plan my time for fun activities intentionally, I am more like to feel restored at the end. This also connect to the ideas presented by Mike Rucker in his book, “The Fun Habit.” My sister originally recommended this book to me and while I struggled to engage with it initially, I now reference and quote it frequently. I think we all want to have fun, especially on the weekends and in our free time.

Instead of trying to NOT think about work, I have been trying to cultivate mental mind power towards other projects. I am back at my crafting game and excited to continue sewing and knitting items for the future holidays. I will conquer the knitted sweater for Christmas if it is the last thing I do! She cries into the abyss of knitting goals.

I do recognize the pull to go into school on the weekends, to do work all Sunday long. I have absolutely done both of these things this month of September. I have also set more timers during the week and achieved more personal reading goals this month than last.

Terrible Teacher Truth #9 Health is True Teacher Wealth

Bold claim but I stand by it. Health is true teacher wealth because when we leave this career or this school year or even this day, the greatest treasure we walk away with is our physical being. Maybe this is just my skewed perspective after both my parents have been diagnosed with cancer. If we allow the stress of school to impact teacher’s overall health, it is one of the greatest losses and consequences of burn out.

What is the answer? I continue to seek it but I do hope to find it with more sleep for one, starting with a better night time routine. Then, being more physically active during the week. October is the perfect month to spend more time outside. I will keep you posted on the adventure of preventing burnout. One month at a time.