Overcoming the October Slump
The October slump is for real! As Connected Communicators have been building relationships and trust with their students, kids are starting to feel comfortable and the "behavior honeymoon" is coming to an end. After all, students save their most unexpected behaviors for those they love the most! Meanwhile, the committees are now in full swing, grading demands are increasing, benchmark assessment results are in, and that summer glow is long gone. The road ahead looks real bumpy, full of demands, and like it goes on forever! So, how do we get through?
Maximize effectiveness with self care!
It may seem impossible to take a moment to take care of ourselves during this busy time. When we are feeling disillusioned or overwhelmed, it is the most important time to do just that! We have to remind ourselves, when we pause to care for our own body, mind and emotions, we are less stressed, have more energy, and are more creative. That means we can be even more awesome and effective for kids!
Positivity breeds positivity
This is also a critical time of year to pay attention to the people you are surrounding yourself with. Remember, emotions are contagious! If you are spending your time with colleagues that are overwhelmingly negative, you are going to catch their negativity. The good news is the opposite is also true - positivity breeds positivity. So spend your time with educators who understand the challenges, and are still sharing their joy of the work. Do your best to be that person for others! We are not suggesting that venting is bad or recommending that you ignore the incredibly hard parts of this job. We all need an opportunity to get it out. At the same time, if it feels like venting and complaining is all that is happening, you may want to find a different seat at the lunch table.
Curate a stress-free schedule
This is also a good time of year to examine your calendar and routines. Now that these are mostly established, what is working for you? What are some challenges? Have you been able to schedule the time needed to take care of yourself? If you are overcommitted at school, are there some things you might be able to say no to? Find your people, and find your flow. Throw out what's not working, and intentionally schedule what is.
Reflect on the gifts of the season
October is full of beautiful fall leaves, Friday Football games, homecoming parades, and field trips to the pumpkin patch. Sink in and appreciate all the special things you have learned about the amazing humans in your charge. Don't forget to smell the foliage and reflect on the many gifts this time of year brings. Make sure you are intentional in looking for those moments of joy in every day. If you are spending your day with kids -we know it is everywhere. We just have to look for it a little harder in October.
