Teachers: It’s Not the Job, It’s What You Tolerate, Raise Your Standards

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A teacher’s life is a powerful mix of passion, dedication, and endurance. There’s no halfway about it. If you’re a teacher, you know exactly what I mean. You give more than you get, you plant seeds with no guarantee of a harvest, and you keep showing up, even when no one claps for you.

But hey… what if I told you that part of your exhaustion doesn’t just come from the system, but from what you allow to become your “normal”?

I’m talking about your personal standards, the bare minimum you’ve accepted as your everyday life.

When those standards are low, guess what else drops? Your energy, your joy, your drive.

This isn’t about demanding more from the world. It’s about expecting something better for yourself.
Not so you suffer more, but so you can live better.

Let me break it down in three simple, honest, undeniable steps:

Step 1: Stop justifying what can’t be justified

Enough with the excuses like:
“I’m just a teacher,”
“I don’t have time for myself.”
“I’m too tired to change.”

No more. That doesn’t work anymore.

You’re not exhausted because you give too much. You’re exhausted because you accept too little for yourself.

When did it become normal to “survive” the week, to wait for Friday desperately, and to dread Sunday evening?

That is not normal.

And you weren’t born just to survive your calling.

Face it — not everything is in your control, but some things are. And that’s where you need to take action.

Start by telling yourself the truth: you deserve a work life that doesn’t leave you drained.

Step 2: Raise your standards, not your workload

This is not about working harder.
It’s about living better.

Raising your standards doesn’t mean chasing perfection. It means saying clearly: “I no longer accept this as my normal.”

For example:

  • “I don’t reply to emails after 6 p.m.”
  • “I won’t let anyone speak to me disrespectfully, not even myself.”
  • “I won’t skip lunch to grade papers.”
  • “I won’t keep telling myself I’m not good enough.”

Raising your standards is making a commitment to yourself

Not for a promotion.
Not to win awards.

But it’s time to treat yourself like someone who matters, who has purpose, strength, and value.

And when that changes, everything changes. Your classes feel different. You feel different.

Not because the world changed, but because you decided to change how you show up in it.

Step 3: Make it visible. Make it real. Make it happen today.

Standards aren’t just ideas. You write them. You practice them. You live them.

They don’t belong on a sticky note in your head.

So today—yes, today—step out and walk in the sun for 20 minutes, guilt-free.
Turn off your work email after 6 p.m.
Make yourself a nice dinner, just for you.
And before bed, write down one thing you did well in class.

Because you’ve already started.
Because you are not a teacher, just trying to survive.
You’re an educator leading your experience.
A woman (or man) who honors themselves, who takes care of their heart, who finds joy, even in the middle of chaos.
And who refuses to let anyone or anything steal the joy of teaching with love?

So, what now?

Write this down. Keep it close. Tape it to your planner, your mirror, or even your soul if needed:

I’m a teacher who honors myself. I never forget that my well-being matters too. I teach with joy, not with sacrifice. And I’m deeply grateful to be part of changing the world, one class at a time.

And if you want tools that save you time, give you back precious moments for yourself, and help you enjoy your classroom even more, my resources are filled with emotional experiences, empowerment, transformation, and personal growth from childhood on.

Check out my store: Class Plus. Everything there is made with the same love I wrote this message with.

Because yes, you can have more time for yourself.
And you deserve it. 

By the way… happy Teacher Appreciation Day.

You deserve more than a thank you. You deserve time, joy, and self-respect every day.
Here’s a complete list of resources you can use in your class to celebrate this amazing day!

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