I am exhausted.
Photo by Jessica M. for http://www.examiner.com, licensed under Creative Commons
For awhile I felt guilty thinking this, much less writing it. But then I actually stopped and thought about all I am doing lately and I got exhausted just making the mental list. I thought that if I put it out in the world, to others who do even more than I do on a daily basis, I might not feel alone in my exhaustion. I’m allowing myself to be generous about my time.
Lately, here is what I’m doing:
- Getting up at 5 am to workout for an hour every work day
- Working a full day in a mentally challenging (and therefore often taxing position!), which could be a blog post in and of itself, as a district leader in a district fully implementing the ELA Common Core State Standards, leading professional development, coaching, and learning every day
- Working out with a personal trainer two days a week for an hour each session
- Working on my doctoral program which right now involves attending two classes this semester (EVERY. Saturday.), doing the required homework, working on a practicum requirement for a third class, and preparing for a presentation of my first three chapters and the work to get IRB approval
- Visiting with family and friends once in a while (in person, on the phone, or through social media)!
- Remembering to do the laundry, clean the house, get the car repairs on time, etc.
- Trying to squeeze in at least one yoga class a week for my physical and mental stability
- Going to a chiropractor and a masseuse every other week to work on my chronic back pain
- Trying to write 1-2 blog posts a week, not because I have to, but because I enjoy writing
- Checking my fitbit status on the leaderboard to see if I even came close to an average of 8-10,000 steps a day
- Reading for additional information personally, professionally, etc.
- Trying to remember to STOP. REFLECT. RELAX. PAUSE.
I am very grateful for the four-day weekend I am about to begin. I am giving myself a lot of permission to rest, in between workouts and homework, of course!
Reflections on Leadership and Learning 
Excuses, excuses!
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I know! Two posts in one day! Catching up as I, too, am exhausted. Some days I am at my wit’s end, yet–I am really trying to apply what I am learning through yoga to stay balanced. I love my instructor’s weekly message that yoga is all about balance. I am so thankful that I have this amazing young woman, teaching me to try to improve my balance. And what is especially cool about it (yes, I said “cool”) that my yoga instructor is a former SYHS student. “To learn from a student is the sign of a wise teacher ” (Krotzism).
But as I tell young teachers, who pour out their hearts every day to these students, ‘it is OK to go home feeling drained everyday, as it demonstrates that you filled someone else up”.
Namaste
I’m exhausted after reading your blog and I have only been to work for less than an hour! I hope you did enjoy your four-day weekend and did something FUN! Hopefully chocolate and red wine was involved…and of course music.
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