• Blog,  Books,  Self Care

    My 5 Favorite Self-Care Books

    I am currently in a period in my life where I am really focusing on self-care.  I am trying to surround myself and my social media with positive role models, and books that are going to help me to be the best that I can.  Here is a list of my 5 favorite books for self-care and self-betterment. You are a Badass by Jen Sincero I can not say enough good things about this book.  I am actually eagerly awaiting her other novels to be available at the library, I have them all on hold!  This book is right up my alley with some sarcasm, a few cuss words, and a lot…

  • Blog,  Self Care

    Tips for Keeping Your New Years Resolution

    Every year we create resolutions and most of us have given up on them by the middle of January or the beginning of February.  Here are some tips to create an attainable goal this year that will keep you motivated the whole year. Make Sure Your Resolution is Reachable So this year I am going to lose 200 pounds by swimsuit season! Yes, I realize that this resolution is extreme, but I exaggerated to make a point.  If you create a resolution that is too grand for you to reach you are going to get frustrated. Come February when you are not 1/6 of the way there you are going…

  • Blog,  Self Care

    Essential Oil Blends for All Your Moods

    I am new to the world of essential oils.  I have been dabbling in using lavender at bedtime for years, but only the past few months have I been exploring them further.  I get migraines and often find that they are resistant to medicine so it is useful to me that when I use peppermint oil it relieves some of the tension.  So, after discovering my love for lavender and peppermint, I wanted to pursue this further. Freshen the Air My go-to blend for almost everything is citrus fresh from Young Living.  I diffuse this blend almost daily.  It is great when you want to freshen up the air whether you have…

  • Blog,  Self Care

    Tips for Keeping Yourself Motivated During Breaks

    Summertime = No Motivation! Like most teachers, I don’t take the summers off.  For the past four summers, I worked for a company that puts on summer programs for kids.  And this summer I am focusing on my blog, which a lot of people think means taking the summer off.  But really, I spend about 30 hours per week trying to perfect my blog and social media.  It is sometimes difficult to keep motivation. Having the motivation to work during the summer, or during any school break, is difficult.  You are usually drained from the school year, all of the students, and parents, and paperwork!  It is so easy to just…

  • Blog,  Self Care

    5 Tips for Self-Care for Teachers

    The school year can get rough.  It is important that we take care of ourselves and keep ourselves healthy and relaxed.  Here are my best tips for self-care. Stop Comparing Yourself to Other Teachers There is always that teacher on your floor that seems to have everything figured out.  They have a perfectly decorated classroom, her class seems to behave like angels during assemblies, and she leaves work before the sun goes down every day.  All you think is that if you could be a little more like her, things would be better. Humans have a habit of constantly comparing themselves to others.  You want Carrie Underwood’s legs, a Kardashian…

  • Blog,  Self Care

    Tips For Staying Positive

    The testing season has begun!  It is time for state testing, plus all of the sudden I have six special education evaluations to do, how did that happen!?  When things get tough it is so hard to focus on staying positive. My evaluation information is due tomorrow, we’re getting close to the school play performance, and the kids are just not cooperating, and it’s the time of year that we’re all just completely overwhelmed. But, I still love my job, I still enjoy what I do.  It’s easy this time of year to forget that.  Keep reading for some tips to help you stay positive during this difficult time of…

  • Blog,  Self Care

    Tips to Protect Yourself this Cold & Flu Season

    As a teacher, I am constantly worried about getting sick.  You would think that with eighth-grade students who range from thirteen to fifteen, that they would be conscious of their germs.  But, they’re not! The flu is going around HARD this year and so far, I’ve been lucky not to catch.  I’m just hoping that I won’t catch it at all. If you are in the same boat as me, here are some tips I’ve found for keeping yourself healthy this cold and flu season. Clean, a lot! Over the summer there is always a time when Lysol wipes go on sale on Amazon.  I buy a few boxes and…

  • Blog,  Self Care

    8 Ways to Start the New Year Off Right

    Every year I make resolutions, and I can not name a time where I followed through with them.  But, I think we are all starting with the same intention.  Every year we want to make an effort to fix something about ourselves.  Or, to change something about ourselves that we think should be better.  This year make some changes that you can keep.  Here are some suggestions to start the new year off right. Declutter We all have this problem, especially for teachers.  I have dozens and dozens of worksheets that were left in a filing cabinet from a teacher I replaced that I haven’t even looked at.  Yet, I…

  • Blog,  Self Care

    Tips for a Successful Monday

    If you are anything like me, you hate Mondays.  After having a relaxing weekend filled with family and friends, you have to get up early again and start a new week.  Here are a few tips to help you get your week started right, and have a successful Monday. Prepare on Friday When you leave on Friday, do not leave yourself heaping piles of paperwork and a messy desk.  Before you leave, do your weekly cleaning.  Before I leave for the day on Friday I make sure my room is ready for the following week.  I start by cleaning all of my desks.  It is cold season and with a…