How Teachers Can Make the Most of Their Holiday Break
1. Set Boundaries
Being back with family or friends is such a gift however, I know returning home from across the country I was met with exhausting expectations. My time being limited, I was expected to run from one house to another to visit ALL the relatives, friends, to help with this or that. It seemed that I couldn’t make the holiday my own, until, I started to say “not this time”. I learned, it is OKAY to say no to some of the things other people want from you. As an educator, you have likely spent 4-5 months giving of yourself and while this is the season of giving, know that this is the time to protect your sanity- to give yourself space so that you can rejuvenate. Before you set out on your holiday break, write a list of YOUR must haves. What is it YOU want to do? Keep the list small, but know that the list is yours and no one else’s and if you accomplish anything, it is on your terms.
2. Give Yourself Grace
As you spend time this holiday season, whatever you do… don’t live in the “I should be” or “I should have”. Let yourself be and honor that you are exactly where you need to be, doing exactly what you need to be doing. Before creating my priority list, I would actually list off everything I wanted to do (yet didn’t have time). As the holiday season came to an end, I found myself wishing for more and found myself depressed about all the things I didn’t do. Now the priority list was helpful as it usually is about 3-5 things that are important to me, however it was also important that I allowed myself grace in whatever it was I was doing. Last year I spent almost every day of break baking. This year, as we were leaving for our holiday vacation I realized, I hadn’t opened the oven once to back holiday goods. I took my own advice and instead of feeling bad about not baking this year or trying to jam it in as one more thing to do, I reflected on everything else I was able to do because I hadn’t spent all that time baking. No I didn’t get to bring my neighbors or family Whoopie pies or beautifully decorated sugar cookies, but instead I was able to take a few more naps, watch a few more football games with the boys. I didn’t even attend any holiday parties, but again, instead of feeling bad or remorseful, I simply said okay and felt much better. In that instance when you are compelled to compare yourself to others (or even you) shift your thinking and simply say to yourself “It’s okay,” because guess what, it is… in fact… okay.
3. Prioritize Sleep
Ever since I started teaching, I found myself returning home for the holidays both sick and exhausted (similar when returning from college after finals). I would get home and simply need to sleep. At times my family would give me a hard time as they couldn’t understand why I would come all this way to be with family but would curl up with a book and read myself to sleep. When the family was playing games well into the night, I would tuck myself in. When the family would be baking cookies together, I would lethargically find a cozy spot on the couch, cuddle under a thick blanket and fall asleep to the sound of joyful talking and sweet smells of Christmas. The interesting thing though is that this need for sleep usually took place earlier on and once I let myself succumb to my body’s need to sleep, I was that much better at embracing the holidays to my fullest. Knowing this as my strategy, even now with the first few days of holiday prioritizing sleep, as the break journeys on, I am truly awake. If you need to sleep, don’t let anyone stop you. Happy Holiday Dreaming!
4. Embrace Joy
With boundaries, grace and sleep, I am hard pressed not to find the joy during the holidays, but I still know that to embrace the fun, it is all in my mind and heart. Whatever you find to be most joyful do it…embrace it… own it and, I guarantee this holiday season will be truly joyful! Hopefully on the “boundary priority list” you put on some things that will be fun. For me, it usually is a game night or two with my family. It is simple, doesn’t require a lot of me (including going out in the snow) but the bottom line is, I know this will make me happy. Even more so, having a plate of cookies, some hot tea, and a holiday movie on in the background, I am a pretty happy camper. Whatever you do, find the happiness in the moment. It truly is all around you!
These four things are critical to our health and sanity as educators! Be sure to make your holiday season merry and bright by ensuring you have set boundaries, given yourself grace, prioritize sleep and embrace the joy and I guarantee you will return from break in a state of positivity and happiness!
