As you know, I talk about burnout a lot, though, I’ve never really shared my story of how I burned out of education many years ago.
Here’s the condensed version . . .
‘Busy’ doesn’t describe my life as an elementary school librarian. I taught 35+ classes weekly, provided materials for teachers and maintained three libraries.
I was a good thing I was young and single. I don’t know how I would have had the time or energy with a family.
To motivate students and support class management, I created kid-appealing library environments and innovative classes, like Library Baseball. With back-to-back classes during the day, I had to create the ‘fun’ stuff, nights and weekends at home.
Without realizing or knowing a way to stop it, work consumed my life. I just thought it was part of the job.
Finally, after 7 years, I was assigned to one school full-time. Yay!!! My dream!
With more time at one school, I created an innovative, open library program with weekly library classes, blocks of time to team teach creative units with classroom teachers. I often had 7:00AM planning meetings and stayed late for project prep, yet didn’t mind because everyone had such fun learning.
The next year, due to higher enrollments, I was once again assigned two schools, taught back-to-back classes and schlepped my heavy bag of tricks between schools. Aargh!!!
Becoming burned out, didn’t happen all at once. It crept up slowly each year and became obvious when I was once again assigned to two schools after my dream year.
That next year, I called in sick instead of pushing through, took ‘mental health’ days and had foot and dental surgery in May rather than waiting until summer. I was exhausted and burned out in every way and all I could do was sleep for two weeks.
Looking back, I regret that I didn’t recognize my need to over-achieve and prove I was ‘good enough’ lead to my burning out.
Which is why today . . .
I help educators safely identify their habits and beliefs that lead to burnout—so they can create lasting balance, peace, and JOY from the inside out. That’s when the magic begins!
Love & blessings,
Catherine
P. S. What about you? Is it time for you to take some time and journal your burnout story?
P. P. S. If you are a conscious educator who is ready to release your experience with burnout and explore what your soul is calling you toward, I invite you to take a first step and have a complimentary call with me. Together we’ll uncover new possibilities and options just for you. Here’s the link: https://calendly.com/cattitude5932/soulalignmentcall