Let’s be honest…
You’re already tired — and the school year hasn’t even started yet.
You just started to breathe again. Just found a little rhythm. Maybe for the first time in months, you were sleeping past 6 a.m., sipping your coffee while it was still hot, maybe even laughing again with your kids or reconnecting with who you are outside the demands of the job.
But here comes the back-to-school buzz, and it’s not excitement you feel. It’s pressure. It’s dread. It’s grief for a break that felt too short, and anxiety about how you’re going to manage another year of everything.
If this sounds like you — you’re not alone, and your feelings are valid.
You Wear More Than One Hat — and You Always Have
Whether you're in the classroom, the counseling office, the front desk, the SPED department, or the admin building, you’re doing far more than your job description says.
You’re the motivator. The nurturer. The de-escalator. The paperwork machine. The late-night email responder. The one who holds space for everyone — even when no one holds space for you.
And while your title may read “teacher” or “support staff,” in reality, you’re the village.
So let me pause here to say: Thank you. And also… you matter just as much as those you serve.
Let’s Talk About What You're Carrying
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That pit in your stomach as the school emails start rolling in…
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The resentment of not having enough rest time before the chaos resumes.
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The guilt of not feeling “ready,” when everyone expects you to be.
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The overwhelm of knowing you’ll soon be staying late — again — missing dinner or missing your own children’s milestones.
It’s not just exhaustion.
It’s emotional burnout.
And it’s okay to name it.
Tips to Prioritize You This School Year
You can’t pour from an empty — or shattered — cup.
So here are a few soul-anchoring strategies as you head into the year:
🧠 1. Set Boundaries Early and Fiercely
Don’t wait until you’re drowning to try and set limits. Decide now:
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What time will you leave work each day — and honor it.
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What emails can wait until tomorrow.
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What you will no longer apologize for saying “no” to.
💛 2. Create Non-Negotiable “You” Time
Schedule moments in your week where you are not a teacher, counselor, or admin — you’re just you.
That could be 30 minutes of silence, walking, journaling, therapy, or dancing in your kitchen. But protect that time like you do testing days.
🧾 3. Redefine Productivity
Rest is productive.
Healing is productive.
Clocking out on time to clock in emotionally for your family is productive.
🧘🏽♀️ 4. Check In with Your Nervous System
If your body is constantly in fight-or-flight mode, it’s not a mindset issue — it’s a nervous system issue. Start your day with deep breathing or grounding exercises before stepping into work mode.
Goals to Carry into the School Year (Not Just Supplies)
Instead of only planning classroom themes or bulletin boards, try setting emotional wellness goals:
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🌿 “I will leave work without guilt at least 3x a week.”
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🕊 “I will not take on extra tasks at the cost of my peace.”
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💬 “I will vent, release, and rest — not suppress and survive.”
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💞 “I will remind myself that I am a human first, not just a helper.”
Because Clocking Out Late at Work Means Clocking In Late at Home
This one’s hard to admit — but true.
When we’re constantly giving our best energy to the job, our loved ones get what’s left of us.
But your kids need your laughter.
Your partner needs your presence.
You need you.
Friendly Reminder
You are not behind.
You are not weak.
You are not failing.
You are human.
And you deserve care, too.
Let this school year be the one where you come home to you.
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