ROOTED, and READY TO SOAR !
We are in a familiar season of the year that marks the end of summer's rhythm. For some of us, the time of year comes with nostalgia for the adventures and connections we had in the carefree nature of vacation. For some, this time of year could not come soon enough as we long for the structures and regular routines of school and work.
Summer break is ending and how we return matters. This time of year is a benchmark that presents the opportunity to re-root in steady routines, reconnect with our passion and purpose for work, and cultivate creative inspiration that brings joy to our day to day, remembering that ultimately our structures, rituals and routines will set us free.
Educators are masters of structure. This year, before you draft the routines and procedures for your classroom, take a minute to create the same for yourself. What are the essential aspects of your day or week that keep you grounded, resourced, resilient?
The practices that frame your day to day create conditions for self regulation and self care. Our nervous systems thrive on a healthy cadence of nutrition, sleep, movement, and connection with others. Returning to the predictable nature of start-times and release times, gives us a structure to lean into for our own self well-being. Keep in mind that this doesn't need to extend beyond what is already available. This school year, try a "just enough" approach. This can include 5 minutes of quiet over a cup of coffee or tea in the morning, 5 minutes of walking or stretching to begin or end the day, 5 minutes in the day to pop in on a colleague to say hello and check in for the day.
From this place of grounded regulation, we remember our "why" - that internal passion, connected to personal values, that inspires you to return to your work this fall. The rest over these summer months can restore your drive and commitment. Remembering this purpose may require tending to it as well. The embers may need a spark to re-ignite. Intentionally connecting with this internal flame, gives rise to so much possibility. James Baraz, an Insight Meditation teacher focused on cultivating joy, reminds us that joy is always available. We have a choice to intentionally turn toward joy and frame our outlook on its possibilities. He encourages us to think about our day to day routines as what we "Get to Do," rather than what we "Have to Do." This reframe does not work as a trite catch-phrase. It functions as a practice, well within our sphere of influence and control, to choose the liberation of possibility, creativity and levity. So much of how we experience our lives and work is born out of the mindset that we bring to it. Practicing "Above the Line" thinking shifts our perspective from scarcity to abundance, from isolation and seriousness, to connection, creativity and joy. Returning to our regular pace of work and routine is an opportunity to embrace a new mindset. What do we have to lose by seeking out and cultivating opportunities to enJOY the work that we have chosen to pursue?
When educators find the balance between grounded routine and elevated inspiration, the benefits to students follow suit. Students need predictable, consistent expectations and procedures to feel safe and to feel agency. Creativity, connection, and fun bring a freedom and inspiration to learning that motivates a curious mind and cultivates a love of learning. Remember the "just enough approach." Classroom procedures and expectations should be simple and clear. Consider leveraging the PBIS model of Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful. Consistency and clarity are the key elements here. Once clear expectations are set and maintained, opportunities for creative expression, fun, and levity can be sprinkled throughout the day as BrainBreaks, Connectors, or Creative Challenges.
Try this mindset practice: Imagine yourself standing in a spacious place - a hillside, a beach, an open field. See yourself grounded, feel the earth below your feet. These are the predictable practices for yourself and in your classroom that create the container of stability. Now imagine you hold a kite, its string taut, pulled by the wind. This tension is the essential base from which the kite takes flight. Now at the end of the string a vibrant, flowing kite, illuminated by a bright sun, dancing in the breeze. There is beauty here, levity, playfulness, and a sense of freedom. Each educator deserves this, each student needs this. I encourage each of us to consider the Sphere of Influence we can all access at this time of year, to bring awareness to the power of our mindsets as we approach this return to the regular cadence of our lives and work.
What routines and rituals keep you grounded through the day and week? What is your "just enough" when you consider practices that facilitate your wellbeing?
What inspires you, gives you a sense of purpose, and strengthens your resilience?
What brings you joy and freedom?
Where are there moments for levity and play in your day?
How can these personal practices translate to the structure and spaciousness you bring to your classroom?