Pacing Myself
24 Sep 2009 4 Comments
in all about me, teaching
I don’t know when I’ve ever been so glad that September is almost over!
I think it’s partly due to my added responsibilities this year, and partly due to my close involvement with the college admission process this year–I’m helping our seniors work on their essays– but for whatever reason, this is one of the most hectic Septembers I can remember. Part of is also that September means a lot of stressors that only happen once a year– Parents Night as a teacher and a parent, getting back into the routine after long lazy summers, waking up so early again, stocking up on new shoes and clothes and pencils for everyone, and this year, the overnight “rustic” retreat I’m going on with the ninth grade class as an advisor. Mix all those elements together, and I guess it’s no wonder that I’m collapsing into bed every night exhausted and much closer to midnight than I’d like to be.
But I have to say it: this is all much easier because I truly do love everything that I’m doing. I’ve long believed that once you decide what it’s important to you, what you’re passionate about, and put those elements at the center of your life, everything else will fall into place. I am part of a great community here at work doing a job I truly love, and my girls are at a great school that has welcomed us into their community. Between those two communities alone, my life is fuller and richer every day. Education, volunteering, writing and literature, supporting and celebrating girls: as crazy as it’s making me, I’m writing this post to remind myself how amazing it is that I am neck-deep in all of these things, and how long I’ve waited for this.
Of course, I’m also trying to enjoy the fruits of my labors: dinner with old friends, cute corduroy shirtdresses, and treating my girls to a few new drawing books. And sometimes I do feel completely overwhelmed, drowning beneath the weight of everything I want to accomplish and how difficult it sometimes seems.
But what I need to remember the most is just how lucky I am, and how long I’ve been waiting to feel this overwhelmed and excited and satisfied by my life.
Sep 24, 2009 @ 07:26:38
Amen, sister! I forget each year just how overwhelming the beginning of the school year is. I’ve spent hours thus far simply in administrivia, not to mention getting classes up and running. But the fact that the work is so fun and rewarding makes all the difference in the world!
Sep 26, 2009 @ 06:47:43
Administrivia! Love it! It’s been hard not to lose track of that this September, but blogging is often helpful for me for that reason. Glad I’m not the only one!