Work or wellbeing - how do you find the balance?

I totally hear you... let me tell you, it DOES get easier with time! My motto is “Work smarter, not harder!” If I had to list what's worked for me, I guess I'd go with the following:

1. Set boundaries: I have a rule that I don’t take work home more than two nights a week. It forces me to prioritize what really matters during my planning time. Spoiler: not every worksheet needs grading 😉
2. Self-care: I treat rest like it’s on my to-do list. Sick? Rest. Overwhelmed? Take a walk, grab a coffee, or just pause. Your students need you at your best, not burned out.
3. Lean on your teacher tribe: We all need that one person who gets it. Vent, swap hacks, or laugh about the chaos.. Teaching really is a team sport lol
4. Celebrate wins: Did you make a student smile today? Get through a lesson with minimal chaos? Don’t overlook those little victories (they matter more than the perfectly organized gradebook)..

Basically, do what you can, don’t stress over the little things, and know you’re making a difference, even if it feels messy some days!

I completely agree, @Emma! Boundaries are a must (more so for yourself than anyone else). Consider maybe not doing any work at home after 6pm, and definitely making it clear that all communications go via email / school app (not personal texts).... At the end of the day, we must take care of ourselves in order to have the energy we need for our students 😊

It’s tough finding that balance. One thing that helps me is setting realistic expectations for myself, like prioritizing tasks that truly impact my students and letting go of perfectionism for the rest.. Also, carving out specific times for rest or hobbies. I have a calendar where every I mark certain days/hours "me time"... it keeps me recharged and let's me keep work more enjoyable!