Mindfulness for me, for you, and for them...

As teacher we rarely take time for ourselves, and its easy to get caught up in busy schedules, tough deadlines, and a stressful workload. Heading back to work after the new year, I promised myself for time to breath, more time to reflect, more time for me. Here’s some ways I have added mindfulness to everyday, for myself, for you and for them...

(image from https://psychologycompass.com/blog/entrepreneurs-definitive-guide-to-mindfulness/ -check our their article)

I distinctly remember in my training year, having a whole PD day on mindfulness. I wondered how on earth someone could spend a whole day teaching prospective teachers about mindfulness. And then suddenly, I found myself staring at a raisin in the palm of my hand. Yes. That’s right a raisin. We had to roll it around our palm inviting our sense of touch, smell it, and keep our focus on that and nothing else. Suddenly the room became completely silent, but at the same time strangely comforting. Once the giggles had stopped and everyone invested, it was very beneficial. It made us reflect on the last time one thing, one object, one person, had all of our attention. It reminded us of how our hours are split between pupils, colleagues, planning, logging behaviour, creating SOWs and whatever else the large to-do list says is next. It made us question - when was the last time I heard silence? When was the last time I focused solely on one thing? When was the last chance I had chance to take a deep breath and reflect?

(picture from https://developingminds.net.au/articles-for-professionals/2018/9/25/calm-down-and-take-a-deep-breath-using-relaxation-techniques-and-programs-do-they-really-work-for-childrenteens-with-emotional-challenges)

The day also consisted of Pilates, creative writing and crochet. A fairly simple but very effective day. A day that almost a year later I can still vividly remember, that still effects how I teach and look after myself today. Below are some ways I have embraced mindfulness. Mindfulness for me, for you and for them...

For me - this year I promised myself to take ore opportunities to properly stop, be silent and reflect. Both in my training year and so far in my NQT, sometimes I don’t know when to stop. Now, if my body is telling me I need to slow down I listen to it. Can it wait until tomorrow. Yes? And it goes on tomorrow’s list. I’ve learnt to be mindful of my limits and capabilities. Also, I’m trying to be think more positively. When I am asked to write a new SOW that I haven’t even studied before, I try not to panic but see it as a learning opportunity. Finding positivity in whatever you can is so important. It takes away any unnecessary stress. Now I see them as an opportunity to grow as a Drama specialist, practitioner and professional. Thirdly, the gym. Whereas before I would say my workload is too much, there’s no time for gym. Now I go at least twice a week - time for me, time to switch off from school, time to feel better. Not only do I physically feel better from all the releases endorphins, but I feel great that I haven’t let my “teacher workload” stop me getting that little bit of “me-time”.

For you - Whenever I can I try to share positive quotes, picture or funny teaching stories on my page. It is not about ignoring the fact we are in a difficult job, with long hours and lots of stress but rather focusing on the parts of our job that we wouldn‘t change for the world. I suppose I used to think mindfulness was ignorning the bad but it is not. It is being mindful, knowing those negatives are there but not pouring your attention into them.

For them - I want to be mindful beyond my own thoughts and feelings, and bring a sense of positivity to those around me. The other day, I left my colleagues in the office, a different flavoured got chocolate, with a note that said “Keep Smiling”. Such a small effort can mean a lot, just a gentle reminder that they have got this and are amazing. In my Friday form time‘s we also practice being mindful as I ask the pupils to think about what they are graded for. What have you done to be kind this week? What are you proud of right now? What have you got to look forward to this week? I make them come into the NOW, get them away from their technological devices and take a moment to pause. To reflect. To be grateful. We scan our bodies for tensions and anxieties, whilst calming down with deep breathing. All of this being done in our science lab of a form room! And sometimes we walk the school grounds to get fresh air, talk to each other about our weekends, and play games to have fun all together as a team. We breathe. We relax. We are mindful.

So, as you head into the week, try and take some time to be mindful. Get some fresh air, practice deep breathing, think of what you are grateful for in your life. And then spread the positivity, make others feel happy and loved. But, most importantly, take your time to breath. Listen to your body and the world around it. Be calm. Be collected. Be mindful.

Miss B :)