Dealing With Stuff I Thought I'd Never Have to Deal With

Part IA

Part 1B

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Anxiety.

I've already written on this some, so I won't repeat everything, but here is a quick list of 5 things I do to combat anxiety. 

1. Hold all the stuffies. There is NO shame in enjoying a soft texture, especially if you get overwhelmed by physical stimuli.
2. Have an extra cup of coffee, tea, water, whatever.
3. Carve out specific time for loved ones: family, partners, children, pets, etc.
4. Practise saying "No". Say it. 
5. Be honest with someone about your anxiety: your partner, a parent, your therapist, your BFF. Someone trusted. 

Never ending Brain

Keeping with the theme.... 5 things:

1. When you get home, take a break. Sit down with something to drink or eat, pet an animal. 
2. Do not check email except when you purposefully decide to. (e.g. I know I have to wash my hair in the morning which will add time to my morning routine. So, I purposefully checked email tonight for 5 minutes). 
3. Turn off text notifications. 
4. When you first wake up, take a moment and just stretch each body part intentionally. 
5. When you go to sleep, take a moment and relax each body part intentionally. 

Into the Unknown

1. Don't go down the rabbit hole as best you can. If you find yourself going down it... distract yourself. I have a desktop water fountain, some stuffies, a rock garden, and a water bead bottle to help me. 
2. Take the precautions you can. 
3. Do not be afraid to be honest. I turned down an invitation to a football game and I was honest: I am so sorry but I won't be going to the game. It isn't safe. Here are the reasons. Also, I am a high risk individual. Having said that, I will watch the score online and be rooting for you. 
4. Take in information with purpose. Choose a reliable news source. Only discuss with reliable family members. Etc.
5. When you feel overwhelmed by potential dangers ask yourself three things:
   1. Have I done what I can do?
   2. If I am exposed, do I know what steps to take?
   3. Do I have someone I can talk to?

Uncharted Territory

1. Chart it. What steps are you taking? What steps is your school taking? Your district? Your place of worship? Your friends? Be proactive in knowing what you can know. 
2. Breathe. Breathe again. 
3. Be honest with yourself and your students when you don't know. I remind them that we are literally doing this together for the first time... ever. We are all bound to make mistakes. If we trust each other and work together, it will be okay. 
4. Always answer with compassion. 
5. You don't have to be the absolute best at what you do right now. That's okay. What isn't okay is taking out the very real and legitimate anger on students. 

Taking Care of Us All

1. Three words: Social Emotional Learning. Okay, STOP. Don't go and click the first Google item you see. Understand me when I say that Social Emotional Learning isn't forcing kids to share or forcing them to be social or extroverted. It is about accepting them for who they are and where they are on their journey. It is about creating a safe space so that if/when they want to share, they can do so. 
2. Stand up between every single class. Tell your kids to do so as well. Just that simple thing can be the difference between so much, including a good night's rest. 
3. Model good practice. Wear your mask. Use hand sanitiser. Wash your hands. Follow one way hallways. Respect do not enter signs. Social distance. etc.
4. Listen. That's all you have to do. Listen. Students are having it rough too right now. They don't need anyone to fix it sometimes. They just need someone to listen. 
5. Listen.... to yourself and your body. When it's done, it's done. If you feel yourself tiring, readjust that to do list (I'm NOT perfect at this). When you are hungry eat. Sleep. Watch another episode of Criminal Minds. ;)