A Real Talk Moment
Let’s be honest: how often do you find yourself thinking, “I just don’t know if I can do this anymore?” Or maybe it’s, “I used to love teaching… what happened?” If those thoughts sound familiar, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too—more than once.
Here’s a truth you might not know: one of the main reasons I started this blog was because of my own experience with burnout. This past school year was rough. I felt frustrated, defeated, and overwhelmed. Teaching is hard. Between lesson plans, student behaviors, new curriculums, endless meetings, standards, parent communication—the list goes on and on—I felt completely lost in it all.
I wasn’t showing up as the best version of myself. I asked myself more than once, “Do I even want to do this anymore?”
And ultimately, the answer was yes. I do want to be a teacher. But something had to change.
The first step? Changing my own mindset and approach to the work. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about me—it’s about my students. And I can’t be the best teacher for them if I’m not also taking care of myself.
Maybe this blog is my way of staying motivated. Maybe it’s how I remind myself of the joy I once found in this job. And maybe, just maybe, it will help you do the same. So grab a cup of coffee, pull up a stool—we’re in this together. Let’s work to support each other and bring the joy back into our classrooms.
Signs of Burnout
Burnout doesn’t always look the same for everyone, but for me, it showed up like this:
- Constantly feeling like I wasn’t doing enough
- Feeling defeated, despite trying my hardest
- Becoming easily frustrated—especially at work
- Letting negative self-talk take over
- Bringing the stress home and snapping at my own family
I was short with my kids, irritable with my spouse, and honestly, not very fun to be around. That’s not how I want to live.
Did that make me a bad teacher, mom, or partner? No. It made me human. But it was a wake-up call that I needed to make some changes to recalibrate.
What’s Helping Me Right Now
I’m still figuring this out, but here are a few things that have helped me start to feel more like myself again:
✦ Accepting That I Can’t Do It All
We say this all the time… but do we really believe it? I had to learn to ask for help, say no to extra responsibilities, and admit when I didn’t have all the answers. It’s freeing—and necessary.
✦ Focusing on What I Can Do (and Doing It Well)
Instead of trying to do everything, I started narrowing my focus. What am I good at? What energizes me? I’d rather do a few things well than do too many things halfway.
✦ Letting Go of What I Can’t Control
I ask my students all the time, “Who can you control?” Their answer: “Yourself.” Time to take my own advice. I can’t control decisions from admin, curriculum changes, or other people’s behavior—but I can control how I respond.
✦ Streamlining My Work Routines
I started making better use of my planning time. Instead of venting with coworkers or scrolling my phone, I created a focused agenda and stuck to it. The result? Less work brought home—and way more peace of mind.
✦ Finding a Support System
Talk to the teacher next door. Chances are, they’re feeling the same. Start a blog, join a Facebook group, divide up the workload. You don’t have to do this alone.
De-Stressing Outside the Classroom
You are more than your job. You’re a person—maybe a partner, parent, friend, or daughter. Don’t lose sight of who you are outside of teaching. Here are a few simple changes I made that helped me reconnect with myself:
✦ Make After-School Time Your Time (At Least for a Bit)
When I get home, I don’t open my laptop or check my email. I take a 30-minute solo walk, pop in my earbuds, and listen to a good podcast. It gives me space to decompress so I can re-enter my home life with more energy.
✦ Communicate Your Needs
Don’t bottle up your stress. Talk to your partner, friends, or even your own kids about what you need. Sometimes it’s 20 minutes to read or journal, sometimes it’s just quiet. The people who love you want to support you—let them.
✦ Find a Hobby (Yes, Really!)
I recently started gardening—yes, me, the self-proclaimed black thumb. And guess what? I love it. Planting flowers, watching vegetables grow, even pulling weeds—it’s oddly therapeutic. Find something just for you that has nothing to do with your teacher identity.
Let’s Find the Joy Again
I know—this part feels hard. But it is possible. The joy may not come back all at once, but small steps matter. Ask yourself:
What’s one tiny change I can make today to start feeling better in this work again?
And when you figure it out, share it with someone. Share it with me. If you don’t have anyone in your circle who “gets it,” pull up a virtual chair. I’m here. Message me. Let’s talk.
Because this work is too important—and you are too valuable—to do it alone.
coffee.TEACH.repeat 