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Rage rooming with two of my besties! Self-care is raging. 

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After reading the material, I think the biggest take away for me is that it is an ethical mandate for school counselors to practice self-care. I struggle in the area of self-care because I just want to do everything correctly, but I am finding that there is always more to do. If I continue to work at the sacrifice of my rest, recharging, and relaxation, eventually someone will suffer. I found one of the articles almost seemed to make self-care and reflection like a SMART goal that we also create for others. I should almost view myself as another client!

Another take away for me was the article about vicarious traumatization because in my career as a teacher I have experienced this. I had a student, my first year teaching, commit suicide. Right before she committed suicide she had asked to eat lunch with me, but I had a meeting in lunch that day, so I told her she could see me after school because I knew she was having trouble at home with things, and she never showed up. I always wonder if I could have stopped her. I didn't know what to call it years ago because it was devastating to me. I was told about it at school during classes as well. I had to put on a brave face the rest of the day.

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Self-care is vitally important for my mental health and the students and teachers I serve. Though I am used to pushing through and "making it" as a teacher, I find that if I have someone's mental health in my hands I look at it differently for some reason. If I am tired and mentally and physically burnt out, how can I possibly be the best in a challenging helping profession? I have to show up for myself before I can show up for anyone else. If my "cup" is empty," I can't refill anyone else's, and I continually have to find ways to refill my cup.

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My cardio days are great because of endorphins. 

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I have been struggling to figure out how to mesh my necessary roles throughout the days and weeks recently because I am pulled in so many different directions all the time, but here are some things I have come up with that would improve my situation at least some:

1. I will workout at least three times per week at the gym.

2. I will use melatonin for the nights that I do not wake up with my toddler (My husband and I take turns.).

3. I will eat enough calories each day through little snacks while teaching. (When I'm stressed, I don't eat.)

4. I will sit out on the grass during my students' recess.

5. I will go to church each week and listen to worship music getting ready in the morning.

6. I will do something crafty with my daughter each week she is home on the weekend (My daughter goes to her dad's every other weekend.).

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I created these action steps to take my self-care to the next level. 

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The above image is a doable plan for self-care. There are so many things that can happen to derail it, but I think if attempting this, I will have more energy and possibly feel better about my situations. I need to also have grace with myself because I will not always be able to do everything that this entails.