This summer is different, though.
No, I'm not going back to coaching summer track. Taking a year off from that last summer after 12 years of coaching each hot summer was great. So great that I don't think I can go back to it, even though I love the coaches and love being around kids who are actually dedicated to the sport.
No, I'm not going to teach summer school. That was a promise I made to myself when I started teaching. I had been around too many summer schools and too many summer programs to ever allow myself to teach summer school. I also value the break and the recharging that comes with not teaching in the summer time.
I need to use this summer to figure out what I want. What I want to do, what I want to be, where I want to do it, and how I will go about doing it.
Large stuff. And really crazy that in my thirty+ years I haven't been able to figure this all out yet.
This is what overwhelms me right now.
How am I coping?
I am searching, I am exercising to release stress, I am trying to listen to myself, I am learning from everything around me.
Is it working?
Only time will tell.
This was my Stream of Consciousness Sunday post. You can join allthingsfadra's linky list with your own thoughts or read what other people have written off the cuff. All it takes is a five minute free-write and then posting your blog to Fadra's site.
Today's prompt was, "What feels overwhelming to you right now and how are you coping?"
Funny I was thinking about teachers today on my walk. And just really want to give your a Shout Out because I know what a big job it is, how much of your heart, soul, and time you put into it.
ReplyDeleteSo, I just want to say thank you.
And thank you for coaching. My kids all play sports and some of their coaches have turned out to be the most influential people in their lives.
Thanks for thinking of us and thanks for the compliments!
DeleteIt is always great to hear!
My kid just finished her first year of track and I can totally appreciate your job as coach.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your search. It's tough to figure out the next move but hopefully a couple of months off will help.
-r
Congrats to your child for her first year (and to you for dealing with all the long meets)!
DeleteThanks for the well wishes!
Enjoy your well-deserved and much-needed break! Stopping through from SOCS! Have a fantastic week!
ReplyDeleteThanks!!
DeleteYou need to enjoy these two months because you've done so much for so many kids for the last nine months. I think/hope your future direction will appear to you. Chicago area always needs great teachers and experienced track coaches. I'm with you, exercising helps me with clarity.
ReplyDeleteThanks! There are a lot of places I could go to teach... that is one of my dilemmas. I just need to gain some focus - and like you said, exercising does help with clarity.
DeleteI hope you find your direction. I know that feeling of searching and still have it a little, although I think I am the right path now. Sometimes the right turning on the road just appears and you know it is the one you should take, even though you didn't necessarily plan it!
ReplyDeleteAny way, enjoy the rest and recharge! All will become clear I'm sure.
Thanks!
DeleteI hope to soon join you in being on the right path. You are so right about the correct road just appearing some times. I have missed it a few times already (I believe) and don't want to miss out any more.
I was a teach for a year and a half. And that summer I had off? I realized I never wanted to be a teacher again. I needed the summer just to get my sanity back. And if you're like me, you'll probably never stop trying to figure out who you are.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I will ever fully figure out who I am. But, I will keep searching!
Delete