“Why do I always end up like this?”
“Next year, I’ll do things differently.”
Sound familiar? Do you start the school year full of energy but feel completely exhausted by the end of the year? Many educators feel this way. We often start strong, some even with plans to take care of themselves, but by the end of the year, those plans are forgotten or at least, abandoned. We end up feeling exhausted and promise ourselves that next year, things will be different.
How can we change this? Get away from that vicious cycle? The answer is consistency and organization – but we will focus on consistency in this article. Small, daily habits can help you feel better all year long, not just in the beginning. If you stay consistent, you can keep your head on your shoulders and finish the school year still feeling strong or at least, not feeling dead. And if you’ve read this far, you might even know that already. BUT, if you are still feeling exhausted at the end of the year, it’s time to stop only KNOWING what is good for you, but PUTTING INTO PRACTICE something that will change the cycle your life is in right now.
Why Consistency Matters
Taking care of yourself isn’t just about special moments like vacations or spa dates. It’s about small, daily habits. And, when you are consistent, you build a strong foundation to keep you going through the tough days – I mean, the days you DON’T WANT to do your daily habits.
Consistency doesn’t mean being perfect and it doesn’t mean not skipping a day every once in a while. It means sticking with good habits, even when things get hard, and not giving up on your goal – your constant well-being throughout the year. This can help you feel steady and strong, no matter what challenges come your way. It will give you strength to make hard decision when you are usually too tired to make good decisions, it will allow you to enjoy what you do and give you the needed energy to do it well – not just make it though the day or week.
Choose One Goal or Habit
Don’t try to do everything at once. Instead, pick one small goal to focus on this year. This makes it easier to stick with your plan. Consistency doesn’t mean doing the same thing every day without fail—it’s about finding manageable routines that support you and sticking to them in a way that feels natural and sustainable. That might be doing something once a week, or every other day, or every morning or night, or once a month. The image below illustrates some practical aspects of consistency in action:
Start with your basic needs first. Are you getting enough sleep? Are you eating well? Sleep and food are the foundation of well-being. Make sure you are sleeping enough and eating well before you add anything else to your routine. These basic needs help you stay healthy and balanced.
Once you’re sleeping and eating well, you can choose another goal, like:
- Taking 5 or 10 minutes each day to relax (that looks different for everyone, could be drawing, reading, letting your mind wander…).
- Spending 30 minutes each week on a hobby you enjoy (don’t have a hobby? Find a list of ideas here!).
- Walking for 10 minutes every day (I hear it’s good to walk after you eat too…).
- Writing down three good things about your day before bed (yup, a gratitude journal).
Start with something small and simple. Small steps lead to big changes. For more tips, check out our post: Creating Habits Your Future Self Will Thank You For.
Protect Your Time
When you choose a goal or a habit you want to create, make sure to PROTECT the time you need to work on it – even from yourself and all the times you say “yes” and overcommit your own time! Say “no” to extra tasks or requests if it takes you away from your carefully planned well-being time.
This can be hard, especially for teachers who love to help others. But if you do too much, you will feel overwhelmed and that is part of why you are a mess at the end of the year. Think about this before agreeing to something:
Does this request fit without sacrificing my well-being goal?
Will this take too much time or energy from me?
Know When You’re Feeling Drained
Do you know the signs of your own exhausion? Maybe you feel tired all the time, you’re skipping meals, or you’re more irritable. Write down how you feel (and your thoughts and hopes) when you’re drained so you can recognize it when it happens in the future.
When you feel drained, check your routine:
Are you keeping your well-being goal? Has it had the desired effect?
Are you protecting your time from extra tasks?
Do you need to add something relaxing to your day, like more sleep or a short walk?
Is there something in your schedule you need to STOP doing?
Taking care of yourself can change as the year goes on. Pay attention to how you feel, and make changes to help yourself.
Read More About Teacher Well-Being
Monthly inspiration on the topic can also keep your focus in the right place. We have written many posts about teacher well-being that you can explore or choose once a month to keep your motivation going. If you need more tips or ideas, check out our newsletter and blog during the year to stay motivated and inspired.
Again, staying consistent with your well-being isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up for yourself every day, even in small ways so that you can have a QUALITY year, not just “get it done”.
Take small steps, protect your time, and adjust your routine as needed. These habits will help you stay strong and finish the school year feeling better. You deserve it!
