Working with kids is exhausting. While there is no weighing the satisfaction of watching a child learning to read, understand a new mathematical concept or making a new friend in front of your eyes, there are days when the weight seems to be enormous. You’re coaching basketball, you’ve got a special theme coming up in one of your classes that is a time suck and parent teacher conferences are sneaking up on you. You’re a teacher though. You’ve got this. This isn’t your first rodeo. Even if it is your first rodeo, you’re a professional with at least four years of post secondary education . . . you’ve got this! Like a trooper, you bear down and get the work done.
Then the weekend hits. What was going to be a fun Friday night with friends turns out to being you falling asleep in front of a light sitcom and sleeping through any interruptions that might come your way. Sound Familiar?
It’s not simply teachers who this happens to. I know that after 34 years in the field, i still feel the same on Fridays. Even knowing that the urgency and demand of being in the day to day hum of schools has lessened, I still need my Friday to fall asleep on the couch. It’s ingrained in my very fabric. That being said, I am also an extrovert. I recharge through being out and about and with people. The Friday doesn’t fill my tank. I need it but it doesn’t fill me up. That’s what I rely on Saturdays and Sundays for. My tank gets refilled by getting out into the world.
Last weekend was a perfect example and why I write this blog today. My wife, now retired, was dying to get away. She’d been immersed in her painting, writing and reading and was ready for adventure. Knowing I was always at my most vulnerable when tired on Friday, she suggested that we should drive up to Jasper for Sunday, do a little hiking and have a nice meal. I was tired and quickly agreed. BEST decision.
There is absolutely NOTHING that lifts the soul than a day in the beautiful Rockies. We hiked, we ate, we listened to great music and pod casts. We did something fresh and exciting. It filled my tank right to the top.
That’s my encouragement to you this week. Next weekend, take the Friday night to be tired and watch your guilty pleasure sitcom. It might be Seinfeld, The Bachelorette, or Mexico Life, my absolute favorite! Then plan an adventure. Get out into the river valley of Edmonton for a walk, go see some live music, go for a skate around the oval at Victoria Park. Find something that takes you out of your everyday and recharges you. As my mother used to say, “Change is as good as a rest”. For me, it’s likely even better.
Take care of yourself, my friends, your matter to a lot of people.
Dave
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