Blog Post 3: There’s No Place Like The Spa

I’m not a teacher, not yet at least. I’m in college, living my best college life (or at least trying to on a daily basis). Seeing as though I’m not a full time teacher yet, I can’t say for certain what my self care routine is as a teacher. However, I can say that as a college student, I need to have certain times to take care of myself in order to continue living my best life and being my best self. I must say that, I’ve been doing these routines for several years now and they haven’t failed me yet, so, I encourage any teachers or teachers-in-training to read on for my self-care, self-loving tips and tricks that I live by today.

First things first, sleep! I wake up at the same time, bright and early at 7am, every day expect once a week, usually Saturday or Sunday. On this one day a week, I let myself sleep as much as my body needs. If that means waking up at 2pm from my mini hibernation, then so be it. I can feel a notable difference in my week when I allow myself the peace and comfort of sleeping in once a week. Despite the fact that it’s not every day, that few extra hours of sleep on the weekends completely rejuvenates my body and mind, getting my geared up for the week ahead. There’s something about staying in your PJs and under a hundred blankets and pillows that just heals the soul. For me, this is my weekly happy time. With this, I spend one night a week (Monday), doing a fun self care night for an hour. Picture face masks, fuzzy socks, hot tea, and Netflix on in the background as my roommate and I just decompress and relax with Taco Bell laying in bed for an hour or so. We don’t do this all night, just as a relaxing study break in the middle of our hectic lives during the week. It’s an amazing way to calm down from stress, reconnect with my roommate after a few days of barely seeing each other, and eating some savory cheap college food.

Now, it’s time for the spa. Once a month I go and get my nails done. This may seem like a small thing but believe me, it is the best thing I do for myself other than coffee. Setting aside one day out of each month to pamper my nails for an hour or so is my favorite tip for self care. It may seem few and far between to some or excessive to overs, but trust me, when I started to do it a few months ago, it completely changed my world. Going in for a manicure where you can’t touch your phone, look at emails, texts, social media, etc. for an hour is good for the mind and soul. With this, and maybe the most important part, knowing in the back of your mind that in the not so distant future, there’s a little break on the horizon is one of the more comforting feelings as a student and future educator.

My biggest piece of advice is this: SET REAL DATES FOR SELF CARE TIME. Set real dates, days of the week, times of the day, or even minutes in an hour. When I say this I mean that I have a specific date set every week for extra sleep, roommate time, and nails monthly. There is something very real about your brain knowing exactly when its next break is. In some way or another, I find that it makes the week go by quicker and makes me more determined and motivated to do my work and begin/end my week with the best foot forward. It also helps me see the bigger picture, realizing that everything I am doing is purposeful and meaningful, that there is a reason why I continue to future educate myself and one day become a teacher.

It occurs to be often that teachers, and more broadly adults, don’t give themselves the self care that they not only need but deserve. It’s heartbreaking, really. Seeing all of the amazing things that these selfless and caring people do with minimal down time and peace. I understand the stress of working, of being a student, and of being a human being. One thing that has stuck with me for my college experience is this: you cannot take care of others until you take care of yourself first. My dad explained this to me in high school, teaching me one of the most important lessons I have heard in my life. I didn’t quiet understand at first, but the more I have come to live by it, the more I see exactly what he means. We, as people, cannot help each other if we are not helping ourselves first.

I also understand that some days get ahead of you, it happens to me more often than I would like to admit. Some days, there is no time for self care, there is honestly not a lot of time for anything other than coffee, work, (maybe) sleep, and repeat. It’s the world we live in. However, I do urge you, take a few minutes every day, just a few. Whether it’s the drive home from work or school, the short shower you take, the few moments before you fall asleep at night, or even right now, while you read this blog; take a breath, stretch your neck, your shoulders, your back, and your arms. Wiggle your fingers and toes, smile at yourself, and tell yourself one thing that you like about yourself. Then, keep going. You’re strong, you’re capable, you’re absolutely amazing. There are three to start out with… you got this.

So, here is my advice, not only as a student and future teacher, but as a human being. Be kind to yourself, you’re doing better than you think you are. Set real times and dates for your self care and really, actually, give yourself a few minutes a day to care for yourself.