Balanced in Chaos

I’ve worked as a high school teacher for about 6 full months now. It’s official: I have my first teacher cold.

But don’t worry. I’ve developed a time honored cold remedy that’s sure to knock it out quickly! Cider (or beer)*, ice cream, NyQuil (or generic alternatives), and cough drops.

I’m not surprised that I’m sick. I’ve been putting in too many 12 hour days. I haven’t been getting enough sleep, or it hasn’t felt like I have. I’m off balance, and I don’t see how I can gain that balance in the near future. I’ve got at least one more month of craziness until I even out again. Even after that, I need to figure out how to take home less work and to do more fun stuff.

It’s funny how quickly you can get out of equilibrium. I know that to be healthy I need to take care of myself. But when faced with a to-do list, somehow I still push that particular to-do to the end.

I did treat myself to a house concert last weekend. It was wonderful and refreshing. I promised myself I’ll shoot my bow this weekend. It’s been too long.

I also want/need to get back into running. The 15k I signed up for is going to be a wash. I haven’t been training both due to an injury and to busy-ness. I’ve already considered not even going, so that I can sleep in. We’ll see how I feel that day. At least the money is going to a good cause.

I am looking forward to this year’s Hillsborough County Arts Council’s 5×5 event. I created my submissions early. This will be my fourth year participating! I’ll be going to the actual event the day after my dissertation defense.

So, I am doing things to feed my soul. And teaching also feeds my soul. But I do need to do more of the other things to feel whole and healthy. And I need a good amount of sleep. Right now I’m not there.

Amongst the chaos, I am definitely not balanced.

I’ll figure it out though… And at least I’m aware there’s a problem.

Regardless, I’m still in mostly good spirits. I think I’m being a bit more blunt right now than maybe I should, but other than that I’m Ok.

One more month….

*Drink responsibly, and if in America don’t drink until you are 21.