In Episode 3, Season 1 of “The Bulldog Educator Podcast” I dove into my personal journey with self-care. I start off by sharing my misconceptions about self-care, which was mistakenly related to mani-pedis and girl’s weekends.
Click here to listen to Episode 3, Season 1 “The Seriousness of Self-Care… Seriously!”
I also share how when I was in my first year of teaching, health issues rooted in stress and illness forced me into habits of self-care. Even with that “wake-up call” for me personally with self-care, it continues to be a challenge.
I share in the podcast the 5 strategic approaches I am personally using to employ self-care. I will share topically here, for more detail you can listen to my podcast.
5 Ways I Work to Implement Self-Care:
- Consistency
- Looking for the Joy in All Things
- Use of Permission Slips (for more on this, check out Brene’ Brown’s book Braving the Wilderness)
- Lean in and Get Curious
- Setting Goals with Grace (resources for this are books Take Time for You and 180 Days of Self-Care by Tina Boogren)
I also shared the struggle I still have with self-care. Self-care is not about living perfectly, but live “flawsomely,” as Tina Boogren states, and is responsible for coining the term “flawsome.”
It doesn’t escape me that as we enter a new school year, things are more up in the air than ever. We will need to have the energy reserves to care for our students and colleagues. As I share in the podcast that an approach to self-care is as unique and individual as you are, what works for one person may not be what works for you. What is important is that each one of us as educators, take inventory of our self-care practices, and take practical steps for developing a routine that invests in your self. that way you are ready with full energy reserves to invest in your students and colleagues.
How are you implementing a practice of self-care? What struggles do you have with self-care?
The Bulldog Educator 