The Art of Setting Your Mind at Rest During the Holidays

Summer holidays are just around the corner or might have even started already! The energy of the end of classes manages to keep you well anchored in the present moment and allows you to continue accompanying your students in a dynamic way. But once summer arrives, it's not necessarily easy to set your mind at rest. Personally, when the school year ended, I needed several weeks to completely let go of my school year and really enjoy my holiday.

Holidays exist to allow us to recharge our batteries, fill our head with new ideas, to give us energy, creativity. They also allow us to listen to our own needs and desires, knowing that during the year we sometimes put them aside to meet those of students, which are our priority.

For all these beautiful things to happen, we must let go our school year, and this, as soon as possible. In my opinion, the holidays are a time to relax, to find oneself through the whirlwind of life and to take care of oneself!

So, how can you set your mind at rest as soon as summer holidays are at the door?

First, a few days before the beginning of the holidays, write lists. One for your unfinished or on hold projects, another for your successes, your resentments, the projects you would like to undertake during the next school year, etc. However, be careful! Do not use these lists to make you feel bad about going on vacation because of the scale of the task ahead. Use them as a “drawer” in which you simply drop what will be done later.

Here are some tips that will allow you to quickly settle in your holidays.

1. At the beginning of your summer holidays, plan a trip. It is not necessary to go far, just getting out of your daily routine will do you a great good. This trip will allow you to temporarily change your habits and get you out of your comfort zone.

2. Turn off your computer, social medias, emails and even your smartphone for the first few days. It will do you a great good while allowing you to distract you otherwise.

3. Take naps! If you feel the need during the day, do not feel guilty to sleep a few hours to recharge your batteries and get energized.

4. Get outside in good weather, bad weather. Clean air, hiking, tanning, gardening or simply being outside, will give you energy and allow you to quickly think of something other than your students.

5. Read what you did not have time to read during the school year. Discover new authors, go to the library or read books in bookstores. Reading will transport you to different universes. What's better than traveling with a good book to the sun in our backyard?!

On these tips, I wish you great summer holidays. Know that you deserve it greatly! Accompanying, supporting and educating children in our classrooms is not just done during class. It invades our daily life from the first to the last day of school. We bring them into our hearts and minds at home evenings and weekends. Once summer has arrived, it's time to think of you! Be a little selfish and do what makes you happy!

Happy holidays to all of you!