Join us in the Slice of Life story challenge. Every day for the month of March, bloggers all over the globe are writing their slices and sharing them on the Two Writing Teachers blog.
Today I had the day off of school. In our school district, we get the day off after working the equivalent amount of hours for two evenings doing parent conferences. Usually, by the time the Friday that is the day off rolls along, we are all mentally and physically exhausted and ready for this free time.
I had mental plans about all the things I would take care of during this time off. Have you ever noticed how a DAY OFF seems to signify in your mind that you will have hundreds of hours in which to take care of every little thing on your to-do list? I always have this ridiculous list of things I want to do on my day off. I always think things will take way less time than they actually do take…or maybe I just think the day will somehow magically have more time to it than other days. It always seems that before I know it, the day has flown by and more than a few things that I wanted to get done are not done. The free time blues are starting to creep in…
It is at this moment, when I have so many things left on the to-do list, that it is most especially crucial to take a step back and really take inventory. What did I get done today? Well, I scrubbed down the stovetop that sorely needed a scrubbing and ran the dishwasher so my kitchen is clean. I cleaned the bathroom. I sorted through a pile of papers that needed sorting in my office to clean off a shelf. I read books and worked on writing. I cuddled with my dog. I ate a healthy lunch at home and resisted the urge to go get something from a restaurant. I will be going to my barre class in a little bit. I watched an episode of Fixer Upper. I took care of my e-mail inbox in all of my accounts. Okay, maybe most of the day was spent reading, but there are quite a few things on this list. So in this moment when I could feel like I did not accomplish much, I now have reframed my attitude and realized that there were a lot of things that happened today. And, for a day off, I think that is enough.
“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”
― Edward Everett Hale
Remembering to take the time to reflect on what I DID accomplish rather than what I have not yet accomplished is such an important thing to remember to do. I am reminding myself right now that I need to also give myself a break in my classroom. I don’t know about you, but I have a tendency to always be feeling like there is a lot of work to still be done with my students. I notice my shortcomings and the things that we haven’t yet accomplished much more readily than I notice the successes that we have had and the things I have been able to accomplish. I have to consciously make the decision to see the things we have done and to not always focus on what we should have done or what still remains to be done.
Taking the time to reframe your perspective can make all the difference. It doesn’t mean that there are not still a lot of things to get done, it just means we all give ourselves a break and understand that we must recognize what we have already done and be proud of it. Then, you can approach the to-do list with renewed vigor and possibly a more clear vision of what the priority items might be.
So glad I read your post today! I have an unexpected two hours to myself this afternoon, and I’m feeling overwhelmed by the possibilities, by all the things I’d love to do during that time. After wandering around the house moving stacks of stuff for awhile, I finally settled down with coffee and my notebook. Always a good way to spend time. If all I accomplish today is a reframing of perspective, I will feel very accomplished indeed. Enjoy the rest of your day!
I am so impressed with all you got done! I have had such trouble getting myself to be productive in my free time lately (other than reading and writing, which is FUN). We have our conference comp day in two weeks, and it turns out to be the day that my daughter’s 3rd grade class is taking a walking tour downtown, so I’m going to be able to chaperone. Yay!
How nice that it worked out like that for you! I am sure that will be a fun way to spend your day off.
“Taking the time to reframe your perspective can make all the difference. It doesn’t mean that there are not still a lot of things to get done, it just means we all give ourselves a break and understand that we must recognize what we have already done and be proud of it.”
This is so true. I love this perspective. Teachers do tend to beat themselves up for all of the things left undone on a given day or in a given week. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and giving your readers some advice on how to turn this around. Sounds like you had a productive and rejuvenating “Day off” yesterday!