Like a train ran right over you with exhaustion?
Lesson plans. Meetings. Grading. More meetings.
And suddenly you realize it’s been weeks since you’ve sat down to think, breathe, or even feel if all of this still makes sense.
Just when I think I have everything under control, life throws a new challenge my way, or just… another unexpected twist.
And there I am again, running, improvising.
But you know what? That’s the magic (and chaos) of life and being a teacher: learning as you live and teach.
Over the years, I’ve realized something: it’s not about controlling everything, it’s about perspective.
About zooming out a little and seeing the whole scene from above.
Because when you see the bigger picture, suddenly things feel lighter, the students look at you differently, and you see yourself differently, too.
So today, I want to share something that has saved me more than once:
Something that has helped me see things from a perspective that supports me.
The 5 perspectives that bring me calm (and meaning) when everything feels too much.
1 - You
It all starts with you.
Your energy sets the tone for the day more than any PDF, lesson plan, or PowerPoint ever will.
If you’re okay, your class feels okay.
That’s why I have a ritual: three minutes each morning to give thanks, breathe, and remind myself that I’m valuable to my students.
That’s fuel, energy — not selfishness.
What’s your ritual?
Taking care of yourself is part of teacher emotional health. When you prioritize your wellbeing, you model emotional self-regulation; something essential for developing SEL skills in your students.
2 - Your students
I used to ask: “What am I going to teach today?”
Now I ask: “Who am I teaching?”
That one question changes everything.
When you teach based on what your students truly need (not just what a document or activity says), the class flows.
You’re not teaching content, you’re creating meaningful experiences.
This is where critical thinking emerges: when students connect what they learn to real life, feel part of the process, and everything makes sense.
3 - Your focus
If your students aren’t engaged, it’s not that the topic is boring, and it’s definitely not you. (And if it is a little boring… You know how to fix that!)
Maybe they just need you to see things differently.
Ask yourself: “What are they looking for that they aren’t finding here?”
Sometimes the difference between boredom and magic is just a tone of voice, a story, or giving them more room to participate.
4 - The people around you
You are not alone.
And you shouldn’t be.
Delegating doesn’t make you weak, it makes you wise.
The best projects I’ve had were when my students felt like part of the team.
And when I surrounded myself with colleagues who inspired me instead of drained me.
Delegate, delegate, delegate.
Surround yourself with people who push you to grow and share ideas.
5 - Systems
Your energy is gold.
Don’t spend it on things that aren’t yours to control or that you can’t automate.
A checklist, a routine, a template can give you hours of mental calm.
And if at the end of the day you ask yourself three questions: “What worked? What did I learn? What will I do differently tomorrow?”. You’ll grow without even realizing it, and everything will become easier.
Being a teacher isn’t about having it all figured out.
It’s about moving forward with intention, empathy, and clarity.
And when you do that, you teach from peace, not from hurry.
If you want to keep cultivating that reflective mindset in yourself and your students, I invite you to visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store, where you’ll find resources for teachers designed to foster critical thinking, emotional learning, and SEL in a fun, conscious, and bilingual way.
Comments
Post a Comment