Welcome to my Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Allison at Eclectic Ali . I’ll admit, sometimes I can feel myself getting too perfectionistic and being too hard on myself, feeling like nothing I do is enough. At times, I feel like I have to have a little talk with myself, trying to calm myself down. It has been a stressful week. Suffice it to say, teaching is not an easy job. That may not be the only issue. Maybe it was just difficult to transition from Winter break self-care to reanimating my driven self in order to be a quality teacher, yet feeling I have little time now to do anything about my writing goals. Still, I’m always reminded that balance is so important.
I almost took a picture of the scowl on my face on day this week, because I partly was just mad at myself for letting my perfectionism force me to work late and miss my yoga class. I was also mad at my job for requiring so much of me. With my writing, I can go at my own pace, but let me be honest, it is not what pays the bills right now. I suppose I needed an attitude adjustment, and I am not completely sure what got me off balance. I need to be mindful of this in the future.
Since I missed yoga on my favorite Zen yoga night, I had to lay out the mat at home, so therefore, yoga had to include some dog play. That is perfectly alright! He always makes me smile! We took him to his fourth week of dog training today, which is always fun, and we see lots of other dogs in the Petsmart store where he trains. He loves that part, too!
What goes in our brains is also very important, and it can’t always be work, work, work. I’m listening to this classic on Audible, while I’m also reading a YA Fantasy book on Kindle. I always have reading goals and plans, and sometimes I participate in review groups ( no time for those right now). I feel badly if I don’t have time to read, and I suspect my brain got lazy over WInter break with lots of Netflix time. I did read, just not at a fast pace. Anyway, listening to Dorian Gray is nice while taking a bath. The language is very descriptive and flowery, somewhat advanced if not archaic, and the narrator’s voice is relaxing. Reading this in book form would take me a while. I must add, it got really intriguing in Chapter fifteen and sixteen today! Hey, it got my mind off of work, even though I did do an hour’s worth of work this morning. I didn’t finish, but an hour was all they were getting this morning. This is MY weekend!
Having said all that, I felt like my job was taking oved my life this week, but here I am, writing on my blog! It makes me feel more like myself; it makes me feel unstoppable, and by the way, that was my word for this year: unstoppable. Even though I’ve added a lot of goals to take me to another level at my job, I am going to be unstoppable and keep on writing, enjoying my life, and meeting those goals. I may adjust the pace, but I shall never stop! Have a great week, my friends. I am planning on more balance and self-care this coming week. 🙂
pamelascanepa 
When I taught, I found it to be some of the most exhilarating and draining thing I’d ever done. I was pretty good at it, but eventually found it o be a lonely way to make a living. I got to know my students well for the extent of the class, but rarely beyond it. I found this frustrating. I was able to pay the bills with it for many years, but I had to work hard to keep the inertia moving along and I was beginning to feel the reality of older age catching up with me. 25 some odd years later, I still miss it. I taught adults and seem to recall reading somewhere along the line that you teach middle or high school. I think that has to be harder than what I did. Adults tend to wind up in classes they want rather are forced to take as part of some larger program. I have gobs of experience in front of classes, but almost no experience dealing with someone who does not want to be in my class. It makes a big difference.
Thanks for the visit. Hope you have a great 2019 for all the things you love or have to do.
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You as well, Gary! Yes, I teach middle school. It certainly has its own unique challenges!
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Well, I have to say that I respect your career choice. I thought about teaching all those years ago when I was trying to pick a career and although I love school and learning I decided that I am missing a few of the qualities that lend themselves to being a good teacher (I went into law enforcement instead). I also want to say that I remember those really great teachers and what made them great (my grade 1 teacher was the first to leave a mark). I guess I am saying that on those tough days please remember that you are doing such a great job and you are shaping the children of the future with your hard word and dedication!
Great coffee post, thanks for sharing.
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Thank you for your kind words! I often feel appreciated by my students, even if not always. I do wish the public and general respected us more. I feel, as a writer or blogger, I should only be honest about what we go through. Still, I couldn’t do the job you’re doing either. Have a great week and thanks for stopping by!
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Love the word unstoppable…..I think I will take that into Monday morning with me!
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Awesome, that makes me feel good. Have a great week!
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Teachers are, unfortunately in our society, largely taken for granted. I am not sure where that originates or how we can begin fixing this broken system, but know that the work you do is so very important and I am grateful for you and every teacher out there fighting the good fight. I’m glad you’re focusing on finding balance and being intentional about self-care.
Have a wonderful week ahead! Take good care of yourself 🙂
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Thank you Beaton! I intend to keep being honest about the struggle for work and life balance in my job. I hope you have a great week as well!
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Sorry, MV, I called tou by the wrong name, please forgive my oversight. I saw the name beaten on my notifications above your name. I don’t know if it’s my eyesight or if I was too hurried. LOL. Thanks for stopping by and for your words of encouragement!
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