How Teachers Relax

My friend Laura from A Grace Filled Classroom told me a few weeks ago about this great idea for a linky party.  I thought it was a fun idea and told her I would love to link up.

Then, yesterday I sat and stared at a blank computer screen for wayyyy too long.  While I did not actually get anything written during my 2 hours at Panera, I did have time to figure some things out.  Lately, I keep asking myself why I have a hard time blogging... I have lots of ideas.  I enjoy sharing them.  It seems like it should be easy enough.  1/2 way through my delicious tomato and mozzarella flatbread (which I highly recommend) I figured out that the issue is that I am "overthinking it".  It is ridiculous that this had to be a "light bulb moment" because I overthink everything.  I am sure that I would have been given the "Most Overthinking-est" superlative in high school if that was a thing.

So... I am thinking that the key to successful blogging, for me, is going to be thinking less.  That sounds like a terrible business plan, doesn't it?  Seriously, how unprofessional is that?  But, I am going to go with it for awhile and see where it leads me...

Wow, that was a lot.  So, in case you forgot why you were here,.. Here's the recap: I told Laura that I would be happy to write about how I relax.  Then I got writer's block and starting overthinking.  Here's how that went 'Hmmm... how do I relax?  Do I relax?  Maybe she means hobbies... what are my hobbies?  This shouldn't be hard... I like to do things... WHAT DO I LIKE TO DO?!?!? I like to read.  Reading is a great hobby... but I never have time to read.  I haven't gotten to actually read in a really long time.  I can't write about that.'  This went on, and on, and on.  I came up with a list (an actual list!!) of what relaxing might look like.  (Told you I was overthinking it.)  

Here is the list:

• pedicures
• naps
• long lunches
• shopping
• visiting a spa

However, those list items are not crossed off because they were completed (like a normal list).  They are crossed off because they are totally unrealistic and things I have not had any time to do this summer... back to overthinking...

THEN, I had another "light bulb moment"!  I am a kindergarten teacher during the school year, a TPT author, and a full time mother of FOUR children.  I don't relax.  BUT, that's okay!  I am at a moment in life that is very, very, very, very busy.  "Relaxing" as I have pictured it in my mind is not going to happen right now.

However, I do A LOT to rejuvenate!  During this season of my life, rejuvenation is so much more important!  I don't want to miss anything!  If I "relax" through a spa day I miss a full day at the beach with my kids.  If I "relax" wandering through beautiful department stores by myself, I don't get pulled through the mall by my teenage daughter.  Right now, I need the rejuvenation, the fun, the "good stuff" that fills up my heart and soul SO MUCH MORE than I need a nap.  (And that is saying A LOT because I love naps!)

So, here is a little recap of my fabulous summer of rejuvenation with my beautiful family!

We started the summer with our annual trip to Ft. Lauderdale with my parents and my sister and her family. It is my favorite thing to do every summer.

This is a sneak peek into "Phase 1" of packing for 4 kids... it is a 3 phase process... I heard a quote once that when you have kids you don't go "on vacation" anymore.  Instead, you go on "family trips".  Funny and accurate.  I LOVE our family trips!  They fill up my heart... but I leave tired and I come home tired.  ;)

 This year we scheduled our trip over Father's Day, which was super fun.  Here is my crazy crew.  (You can probably see how there isn't much "relaxing" with this gang around... but they sure do rejuvenate this teacher-mom's heart!)

I tried to get a quick photo with my girls... Don't you love my silly photo bombers?

There is no napping in a lounge chair when you are watching these 3 in the pool for the afternoon... but there is A LOT of laughing!

Most of our summer was spent at the beach.  It is A LOT of work to keep my little red heads sunscreened and to get everyone packed up and ready for the beach!  But when we get there... heaven!

Something about this photo melts me.  I think it is the way she is conquering her fears this summer.  She started the summer afraid to get her face wet... now she tells everyone she is a mermaid because she never wants to get out of the water!

My "big girl" is still fun to watch at the beach too.  She gets her talent from her mom ;)  (Ha!  No, no she does not.  Unfortunately I don't have her talent or her abs!)

Since we have hit the parenting "sweet spot" where we have grown our own babysitter ;) I was even able to fit in a few nights out with my favorite guy.  Given the choice between resting and enjoying some music and wine on the beach... I will always choose to stay tired!

So, while I might not have had a spa day this summer, I have laughed until I can't laugh anymore. I have loved "my people" and spent my time soaking them up... and there is nothing that rejuvenates this teacher-mom's heart more!

 

How about you?  Do you relax?  Is relaxing a real thing?  Sometimes I wonder if it is just a myth!  Whether you have been relaxing or not, I hope that your summer has been filled with laughter and rejuvenation!