Friends, I went running this weekend. Running. Running as in sneakers on, headphones in, Mini napping and work bag idle in a corner running. Running.
I know I keep typing it, but it's like my fingers are in shock. So are my feet. And my legs. And - holy crap - the endorphins! I am awesome right now. AWESOME. Awesome with a capital amaze balls.
Why has it taken me so long to get back on the horse? And, honestly, was I ever really on the horse to begin with? Oh. Wait. I know. I'm an educator and we feel intense guilt whenever we do something for ourselves with time we feel like we should be doing something for our classrooms, or our families, or our friends or all the other individuals who get neglected between the months of
If you've been reading me for awhile, you know that I am on a constant search for Zen. (Read more posts about my impossible dream here.) And I feel like every teacher friend I have is too. We all lament our inability to go to the gym, to get a pedicure, to sit down and enjoy a book for ourselves. We all make grand promises to fit that stuff in. Because we are teachers, we organize a massive Plan To Do More For Ourselves And Be More Efficient which includes goals that are impossible to meet. Like "go running six days a week" or "only eat dessert twice a month" or "grade papers the same night that I collect them" or "answer every single email I receive within 24 hours." Um, can you say "set yourself up for failure much?"
But you know what I did today? Inspired by
And I thought to myself, "Self, maybe we should start a TEACHER's Happiness Project...." In the spirit of continuing to strive for that Zen, that's exactly what I'm going to do. In the spirit of just starting and starting small, let's just keep it to the blog for now. I'll post about what I did to find more balance and be happier and you can respond with what you did (or hope to do) in the comments.
xo,
Mimi
16 comments:
I'm trying to eat smarter - no pasta three nights a week, no junk food at school, no soda at school...
Of course, I downed 1/2 box of chocolates while grading essays yesterday. Oh well!
retired teacher, here...41 years! So totally understand the frenzy of life in the teacher/mom/multi-everything mode we put ourselves in! Love the Happiness Project..breathe and appreciate the moment, wherever you are...:)
I'm on a search for Zen too:-) I have tried really hard to fit yoga and exercise in these last few weeks. I think the struggle is always fall and spring when things get sooo busy at school. But I am committed to doing just a little bit a few days a week. It is definitely a struggle doing something like this when there are things to do for family, school, etc. Definite guilt!
Congrats to you! I encourage you to keep it up! I've been walking (not much of a runner here) and yesterday took a 3 mile hike through the snow. It was invigorating...although I wonder if I can count extra miles for the resistance that the snow added?
I could not have read this at a better time. Here I sit, just having woken up on my day off from school, running through the things I need to accomplish. For school. On my day off. I have a full day ahead of me to complete planning out a 6 week unit. I felt guilty for even stopping to take time to read the latest blog entries on my Google Reader. Your post reminded me to take some time for ME. I've read through the first chapter of The Happiness Project and love it so far. I just need to put it into practice! So after I type this, I'm hopping on the treadmill and doing something for ME. Before I start any school related projects. Thank you!
I've recently asked my husband to commit to making two healthy dinners a week (up until now most of his cooking consisted of microwaving). That may not sound like much to some people, but on the chaotic days when I can't cook, we've been doing the frozen pizza/takeout thing, and I get that mommy guilt for not feeding my kids nutritious food. We now plan out the week and pick which two days I need him to cook (and we allow a maximum of two days a week of quick/pick-up meals). It's been a nice relief to know after a busy day I won't have to cook or feel guilty!
I read The Happiness Project this summer and loved it. I probably should go back and review the key points and ideas to re-energize myself. Right now I'm reading Awakened which has good teacher specific stress relieving ideas.
Megan
Blackboard and Beyond
you are so great!-- i totally know the book from your blog title. i went running yesterday for the 1st time- even bought myself fancy new kicks just for running. felt totally guilty about spending the money on myself, but loved it too. also have a new years resolution/goal/new-fab-me-life-plan a mile long. i've been meaning to read happiness project, you just gave me the push to keep up & just do what i can! there's some saying about no matter how slow you run, you're still lapping everyone that's sitting on their couch-- i try to keep that in mind!
Oh - this post couldn't be more timely.....I am desperately trying to find balance. I hoped to run this afternoon (I haven't run in several weeks)....only to feel exhausted after a tough teaching day, scramble to the drug store to gather materials for school tomorrow....and then to the grocery store. Having been inspired by the Happiness Project, I am game to start a TEACHERS Happiness Project :-)
You're right, all teachers look for Zen, peace, happiness and 'me' time. The school year starts in a couple of weeks for me here and I've already started dreaming about the kids.
I knit. I knit and it keeps me calm. In particularly stressful times, I toss my knitting in my bag and I do it at lunch. Last year, I taught some students to knit when we had a bit of spare time - it was lovely and helped immeasurably!
Well done with the running - you're awesome!
I'm not sure if it's so much that we don't want to take time out for ourselves or if we just get really really good at making excuses for why we don't do something for ourselves! Let's be honest - we listen to them everyday from our students! What a great post you have written. Look forward to reading some more! Please check out my new blog too...I'm finding so much inspiration, it's amazing! www.akellyclassroom.blogspot.com
"I Went Walking" -by Sue Williams
Do I get a gold star?
Keep running! I need to get out there more. I love the feeling (sometimes the burning in my legs is not the best) but sometimes it's actually nice too! :)
Teachers need their zen...absolutely. Thanks!
I started taking ballet again!
Good for you, "Mizz" M! And what's good for you is good for "them."
Glad to hear you're taking on such a refreshing activity. For me I'm keeping my eating clean and returning to crossfit. Keep it up. Fantastic blog by the way.
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