When I returned to school recently after two months off, I promised myself I would put me first. That meant my weekends would be mine again, not filled with grading, lesson plans, and creating activities. My weeknights would be spent with my children and husband, not preparing for the next school day. In the Fall, school took up too much of my “me time,” and my stress level rose to dangerous levels. I promised myself no more. I promised myself this would change.
And it did change…for a while. I made more time for me. I really did. But now, after one month back, school is creeping back into my ME time again. Today I spent time planning for this coming week. Why didn’t I do it last week? Well, my planning periods disappeared when students visited or my field student came in to observe. I need to hide and plan during those times. I cannot lose them, for it ends up needing to go elsewhere.
This coming week will be different. I am making a promise to myself, and I aim to keep it.
What do YOU do to keep your ME time? Please share below.
Read, Reflect, Write, and Share. 
Such an important reminder. You write with great voice. Good luck this week.
Thank you!
As there is a long-term plan, I make sure I know what I am doing next after every lesson. I then use my planning time to flesh out my next day’s plan. However, I still take some reading home to prepare for the next day that does not take too much of my ME time.
I like your idea! Reading I am always willing to do at home, for is relaxes it. Thank you Juliette!
I capture me time by working on schoolwork at school. Some days I stay after an hour or 90 mins to get some quality work time. I think it’s ok to use some time at home to work on schoolwork, especially if you’re inspired by something you read or see online.
I wish I could stay after school longer! I have to get my two young kids off the bus, so that isn’t an option. Some day it will be though. Thanks!
Be strong and be good to yourself. Stay well so you can be well for your students and family.
Thank you. I am certainly trying!
Awareness and recommitment go a long way. I applaud you for staying conscientious. Stay the course my friend!
I try to get as much as I can finished at school during plan periods. I take things home each night, but hardly ever open my bag! I do however, usually spend a couple of hours on Sunday afternoons planning for the week. As for ME? I take a weekly horseback riding lesson, and I also teach horseback riding one night a week. I´ve always been involved with horses, and I do that for myself! 🙂
I know how easy it is to say I’m going stick with something, and then the next thing you know…I hope you do manage some me time this week. Reading and writing is always my me time!
So true Leigh Anne! They are therapeutic.
Me time is awfully hard to come by as a teacher and a mom. Having just returned to the classroom this year after six years of working from home until my son was big enough to survive a mom fighting the English teacher hours/workload, I fully understand the desire the leave school at school in the evening and on the weekends. I have not quite worked it all out, but, like you, I am trying hard. Take care of yourself and be well! The end of the school year is getting closer!
You describe such a common teacher problem–especially a teacher mom with young ones. I try to squeeze my planning into all my available moments at school, but inevitably I still have some work to do at home. Good luck with your promise to yourself…it is one worth figuring out!
I can relate. It’s hard to stick to the me time and still feel like I am getting all the school work done. I have found a few hiding spots in the school (which of course I can’t reveal here!) so I can get some things done during planning time. I also stay late one night each week so I can feel caught up and not have to work on the weekends. Not being planned for school makes it hard for me to enjoy my out of school time. Also, meal prep, using the timer on my laundry machines, and not caring too much about keeping my children’s bedrooms clean helps too. 😉
Hiding out during planning is a great idea. Headphones work too. Even though most of my conversations with colleagues are about instruction, they’re still a time suck.
I retired just as the work load for teachers increased dramatically. Now, since practically everything you do is mandated and must be documented, and all that time spent on keeping up with recording everything I’ve come to the conclusion that the work load is ridiculous. No one could do it all during planning time. There’s always so much else to do when at school. When did creating exhausting demands on teachers come into practice, and who thinks that having exhausted teachers is the best thing for the students?
When I opened my computer this morning, this post was there. Probably the last one I opened just as I finished the 60 comments challenge. Finding ME time seems like an impossible challenge, but it has to be part of a healthy educator’s plate. I read all your blog posts for the challenge and I want you to know you’re doing so many things right. I wish my own kids had had just one English teacher like you during their high school years. Keep guarding that me time, keep your students reading and writing. do what you can and then walk away knowing that tomorrow is another day to listen and read and write.
Thank you so much for your kind words! There are a lot of tough days, but I’m not willing to give up after them. That ME time is a part of each day now, and that helps me stay motivated.