Reflections

Catch up on the series

Week One

Week Two

Week Three

Week Four

This experiment has been interesting, to say the least. It’s difficult often to look at what you are doing and commit to making changes. We often get comfortable with the habits we create and don’t realize how they are actually not setting us up for success.

The end of the school year always presents an opportunity to reflect, as does the end of a calendar year. Today is also a day when many National Board Candidates turn in their portfolios. In all of this, it’s a deep breath.

Within this experiment, I faced challenges. Because I have a chronic illness, I had an infusion during the first week, which was more challenging than average. It knocked me out for a few days and led me to work from home for a few weeks. Another challenge I faced was comparing myself to where others are at. It is not helpful, and it is something that I am consistently working on. Lastly, some days finding time to really journal was complex. It made me question how I spend my time and do an audit.

Comparison is an act of violence against the self.

Iyanla Vanzant

I also had a lot of success during this experiment. I connected more with friends. I started therapy, and I cannot understand what took me so long in my life to do so. I did an event out of my comfort zone, had so much fun, and got some great photos, which led to a personal rebrand to align more with who I am since I am working on evolving this year.

All in all, I am delighted with the outcome of this. I felt unsettled and unsure, and the shake-up was what I needed. On a recent workout, the instructor told us it was time to rattle the cages of mediocrity. I’m ready to do so.

In this, I am taking a summer break from the blog and the podcast. A long, much-needed pause to refill my creative juices and model that taking a break is a good thing! Being ever-present isn’t sustainable, and I am looking to make significant changes over this break and hope to hear about grad school!

I sincerely hope that part of this or all of it was helpful for others, especially educators.