I have been a teacher for 12 years and have dealt with anxiety the last 10 years. In August of 2021, I was getting ready to start another school year and meet my new students when everything came crashing down! The weight of my job, new students and the “what ifs” that come with each one – documentation, setting up a new classroom, multiple meetings, my own family’s needs, and the list went on and on. My anxiety took over like a heavy rock that, no matter how hard I pushed, I couldn’t move. I was in a dark place and at a breaking point. I never knew my anxiety could be so debilitating, to the point that I would need to leave my career. There were feelings of worry, shame, fear, doubt, and the most overwhelming was how I would be letting down so many people. I didn’t know where to turn and my amazing husband reached out to a counselor at our church. This counselor was a godsend and invited me to a class that was about to begin called “Mind, Body, and Soul”. I decided to sign up and walked in the first night of class with those same feelings I shared above. I had the opportunity to share a little about my story. As I cried through my whole sharing-time, everyone was nothing but understanding, compassionate, and supportive. I didn’t know at the time, but this class was the beginning of my healing process. We received a book called The Self-Care Prescription. We went through each chapter and it talked about different ways to take care of yourself: socially, physically, intellectually, vocationally, spiritually, and emotionally. We went through breathing techniques and yoga practices that were taught as tools you could use whenever your emotions started to spiral out of control. They were easy enough to be able to do on your own and handouts were even given with instructions to follow. We were instructed on how to make a self-care plan each week. Making it realistic and being intentional about it was key. After each week, I began to fill a bit better, and things didn’t seem so dark and overwhelming. I learned in this class that it was okay to not be okay, that I was not the only one that had these emotions and feelings, and that I cannot give to others what I didn’t have for myself. At the end of the 10-week class I felt loved, encouraged, whole, and had self-worth again. This class helped me and my family and I am beyond thankful that Jesus opened this door for me to walk through. It has taught me to look at life with a different perspective and to prioritize time for myself.
Do I still struggle with anxiety? Yes. Have I returned to the classroom? No. Do I know that all of those things are okay? Yes. I still love the field of education and know that what teachers do each day is nothing short of extraordinary. I know as a teacher you are always finding, researching, and going to professional developments to find ways to support and guide the needs of your students. Teachers worry and consider everyone else’s needs above their own. I strongly believe this program could help teachers see how self-care is beneficial to all their worries, anxieties, and fears that come from their job and the everyday stresses of life. Taking time to make teacher’s needs a priority can positively impact their students and classroom environment which will then impact the world.
Erin-
Do I still struggle with anxiety? Yes. Have I returned to the classroom? No. Do I know that all of those things are okay? Yes. I still love the field of education and know that what teachers do each day is nothing short of extraordinary. I know as a teacher you are always finding, researching, and going to professional developments to find ways to support and guide the needs of your students. Teachers worry and consider everyone else’s needs above their own. I strongly believe this program could help teachers see how self-care is beneficial to all their worries, anxieties, and fears that come from their job and the everyday stresses of life. Taking time to make teacher’s needs a priority can positively impact their students and classroom environment which will then impact the world.
Erin-
Phone: 972-689-2502
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