I’ve been in resistance training. Or at least that’s what it feels like. Everyday I am actively working not to hear the increasingly loud and rapid tick… tock… ticktock… tickTOCK… TICKTOCK… TICKTOCK TICK TOCKTICKTOCK!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHH!
Ok….sorry about that. It’s just that August is here, fully entrenched and–OMG It’s the 18th already! That means August is actually almost half over…
AHHHHHHHHHH!
Oops! There I went again. This seems to be happening with increasing frequency! What I’m trying to get across is that I’m trying to live fully in each moment, resisting succumbing to the ever-increasing, inexorable pull of the great whirlpool of the impending school year…
but as each day passes, the closer it gets, and the stronger the pull. I am working frantically diligently to avoid future-thinking and immerse myself in the present and the remaining gift of free time. Occasionally, I’m successful, and often that’s with the help of time outside and with my camera. And lots and lots of reading. But, as that pool of time diminishes, it’s getting harder and harder.
To be clear, I really am looking forward to many aspects of returning to school (more so than in many past years), but the relentless pace is NOT one of them. I dread the constant rushrushrush with such limited time and energy remaining outside of school hours and responsibilities. Sigh.
So, I’m curious (desperate? lol). Can you throw me a lifeline? What do you do to keep things sane when you return to the hustle and bustle of another school year? Do you have a number one tip? Maybe a “school hack” to increase efficiency and productivity?
Fingers crossed and thanks in advance!
Nix the comfort zone 
Molly,
I wish I had a good answer for you. I do not miss the rush rush rush at all. I am trying to be present each day, but often fall into the “shoulds” of life. Being present is a constant life struggle. I would say try to relax. The school year will come whether or not you wrestle with the ticking. You know you know what you are doing when it comes to teaching. The unexpected will happen. Worrying doesn’t change things. Yet, even my 94 year old mother in law worries every day. She will borrow trouble if she doesn’t have any. Some of us are just built that way.
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Thanks, Margaret. I am definitely hard-wired to worry! Still, even though I’m dreading the pace, I am looking forward to connecting with a new group of second graders and working with my colleagues. A school is such a great place to work!
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Oh, I remember this feeling all too well. I actually have a whole substack called The Bookish Classroom devoted to helping teachers (part of that is helping them actually enjoy August). Here’s a post if you’re interesting in reading.
https://robynneilsen.substack.com/p/how-to-beat-the-summer-sunday-scaries
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Oh, thanks! I’ll definitely check this out!
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I like the way you’ve crafted the pace of your tale. That and your personally familiar subject kept me reading. Ahhhh to be present! Your post gave me pause and caused me realize how much I’ve changed in my approach to life. I have always been very driven, a planner, a scheduler. Always prepared. Part of that was because my work required so much future planning. However, during the past four years, two major life events–my son’s death and my life-threatening heart surgery– made my life stand still. I became keenly aware of each breath, sometimes literally. As I walked through those shadowed days, I was only able to be present because the future was so uncertain and the past was painful. Emotionally and physically, I moved from day to day. I learned that memories don’t always comfort, even when they are good ones… but I needed them to stabilize my present. And I realized that worry about the future drained my life in the present. But I still try to over-plan and schedule. Hard to teach an old dog new tricks. LOL
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Thank you for sharing, Alice. I’m so sorry for the pain of your son’s death and your health scare. I imagine there was exponentially more stress/distress due to their close proximity in time. Life sure can knock us about. My husband says “What happens to the mind, happens to the body. And what happens to the body, happens to the mind.” I’d add that what happens to the heart, happens to the body and mind. I suppose all we can do is take each day one at a time, and keep an eye out for joy, even when it seems elusive. Wishing you peace and all good things.
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Your slice is wonderfully written, with humor and with the reality that is teaching. This is my fourth year as a retired (but subbing) elementary teacher and I STILL hear that darn August clock! I’ve had to literally force myself to let it go – to enjoy a walk, a book, some music – for a certain amount of time, then I could think about school. (Also for a certain amount of time… Well, that’s what I tried to do.)
I spent my last 5 years or so really working hard during the day with my planning time, and before/after school time to get more done so I had less to do in the evenings and weekends. I’m not saying it was perfect, but it was better. I also tried to let some things go – I didn’t have to grade every single assignment. Or, I would grade it for a specific reason – whatever skills we were highlighting. This wasn’t perfect, either, but it helped.
I hope your school year starts off well, AND you find ways to focus on the “now” to find some peace.
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Thanks for sharing your experiences! I have gotten better at not working at home, but sometimes that translates to more stress at work. I always go in early to get work done and this year I think I’m going to shut my door and really focus on being productive. We’ll see how it goes!
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Loved the humor of this slice and the whirlpool imagery (and image)!
I have to say, I do NOT miss this whirlpool, and the rush rush rush — it’s SO strange not to have it though. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop!
I hope you’re able to find more ways to stay present. The best advice I ever got from a former principal was “there are always going to be more things on the to do list” — which hopefully can help serve for this situation. There’s always going to be the rush rush rush, whether or not you think about it or prepare for it while you’re still on summer break. Knowing that, what can you do differently / how can you change your thoughts?
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Your final questions are what I’ve been wrestling with! At some point during the past school year I read a great article (maybe by Oliver Burkeman?) which asked the question: “What does done look like?” Essentially it said that you’re never really done, so decide what done looks like for that day and stick with that. I’m so glad your post reminded me of that. Wishing you smooth swimming this year outside the reach of the whirlpool!!!
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Ahhh I love Oliver Burkeman! I read his book Meditations for Mortals and will read Four Thousand Weeks soon. Highly recommend. I love the way he phrases things.
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I get his newsletter and always find words of wisdom within. I should add those books to my TBR pile…the one that’s going to start gathering dust soon! lol
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I understand the feeling that students and teachers BOTH get as we prepare for the transition back. I call it the intersection of excited and dread. The only solution I know is to declare a some time – a morning even – to read, shop or binge watch Netflix in your pjs! I wish you a great school year.
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Yes! It definitely is the “intersection of excitement and dread!” Thanks for the good wishes. I’m sending some your way as well!
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I talked about the “rush” today and my intentions for slowing down this school year. Making space for myself during the day, like going outside for 5 minutes. I have good work boundaries at home. But I still need a lot of unwind time. Good luck this year!
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I’ve gotten more adept at having good work/home boundaries. But sometimes I feel like that makes the work time even crazier! It’s such a Catch 22. If I close my doors during planning time and really focus I get more done, but I miss out on both socialization and collaboration with my colleagues. Good thing I get to start fresh every year and try again! lol Good luck to you as well. I’m off to read your blog. 🙂
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Molly, I feel for you! It is not easy to not rushrushrush through the school year. I have no advice, but I enjoyed your attempts to enjoy the last days of summer! Peace to you, and a joyful and ready new year start too.
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Thanks, Denise. I am excited about getting to know my new crew 🙂 Wishing you joy and peace at this turning of the year.
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Good morning Molly. It will be so good to see you at Hannah and Helen’s shebang. When I taught, I always had a clipboard by my side. Throughout the day I would make quick notes on what worked and what changes I would make. I’d note whose parent to call with good news about what a kid did that day. My goal in September was to call all the parents with some bit of good news about their kid. And I had 85 7th graders. The calls boosted my spirit. Back to the clipboard. At the end of the day I would type in what I would do differently next year with the same lesson. That way next year I would remember the changes I would want to make. Different from teaching second graders, I taught five sections of language arts every day. True, that can be daunting and mind-numbing, but it was my life as a middle school teacher. Perhaps there is some variation of the clipboard for you. Which year of teaching are you beginning?
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Thanks, Dan! I’m looking forward to seeing you both, and to meeting Helen. I am a big fan of early September positive phone calls to parents. Last year I also tried to have more frequent positive contact throughout the year–though I often resorted to e-mails for efficiency’s sake. It’s still a goal in progress, but you’re right, those calls/e-mails are always a great boost! I do carry a clipboard and jot notes. I’m not as great about making sure I transcribe them at the end of the day–or make sure they’re coherent! Perhaps that’s something to work on this year. I’m heading into year 18 (I think!), and never at a loss for goals! lol
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