What did you say? I don’t have to be stressed this week?
But, I have a guest speaker coming for three days, am working 9 hour days, have 10 different lessons with 10 different classes and am suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder.
As I was going through my head this morning, I started to feel a tight neck and chest, my breathing became shallow and I started to ruminate about all that I am in charge of this week.
Then, I heard a voice inside me say, “You don’t have to be stressed.”
I remembered my beaver analogy and started to talk myself off the ledge of stressful anticipation. Here’s where I ended up:
*All of the things I am worrying about are not that important.
*I have planned well and will continue to plan, but at the end of the day, I should focus on what makes me feel confident and what helps my students the most which is…giving them encouragement and something to feel happy about. That doesn’t require any superhero skills, just kindness and authenticity.
*I can build in break times and time to regroup throughout the day.
*What I do is NOT THAT IMPORTANT – I’m a librarian, not a doctor. There is NO need to be overwhelmed by stress.
I’ve spent most of my career being too important in my head. I try to be perfect because I want to do my best. I worry about everything I am doing because I doubt myself and my ability to handle things well. This trend has led me to the burnout ledge regularly and has kept me from enjoying my days. It is up to me to stop it!
It is up to me to stop it!
It is up to me to stop it!
What…what? I don’t have to go through the experience this way?
How? How do I continue to remind myself that nothing is worth worrying about?
I’ll try this today:
1. Build in a few breaks – set my alarm to walk away and go outside to regroup.
2. Make sure my plan involves things I am comfortable with and good at.
3. When something goes wrong or I have to make a change, just go with it or ask for help. I am not alone and have many people who support me.
4. Keep saying this: There is nothing to be afraid of. This is not a Beaver Moment. It is just a job.
