A back-to-school hello
It’s a bit of a risk to add to your reading list during the busy, back-to-school bustle, but I’m hoping that a warm hello, quick tip, and brief sharesies won’t add too much to the already-intensity of this week and month. I hope, actually, it’ll make for a little more ease.
So, to start, a hugely warm hello. I really mean it—full warmth and care, especially in the context of the emotional labour of this month. Whether you’re a student yourself (woot! woot! go you!!!), a parent sending your kiddo(s) off to a new grade or starting post-secondary (big hugs!), a parent who’s going back to school yourself (WOOOOOOOOOT!), a teacher gearing up for your own semester and year ahead (high fives!), or a nothing-to-do-with-education professional but all-in to learning more (all the while navigating busier roads, and an amped up energy all around), a very genuinely warm, caring hello. I’m so happy we get to share in this community space.
I admit, September is my least favourite time of year. I love the fall, don’t get me wrong. But, the big anticipatory anxiety, the discombobulation of routines, the ramping up of everything, well, it’s a lot.
With age on my side, I know it’ll all become the new normal in a matter of a few short days and weeks.
I also know, with years of doing this back-to-school September thing, two strategies that can make a difference.
#1: Take a rest
That’s it. More rest. But the key is to actually rest. I don’t mean more sleep (which would also be good too). I don’t mean more Netflix bingeing, which is its own thing. I mean active, constructive, on-purpose rest. A wonderful rest support is any talk, reading, or infographic about the seven types of rest by Dr. Sandra Dalton-Smith. Her TED talk is compelling and outlines it all, and this visual offers a great summary of what aspect of ourselves needs intentional rest, why, and how to do it.
Restorative moments—that aren’t sleep (but can help sleep) and aren’t entertainment (but actually a break from being entertained)—can be sweet to incorporate as antidotes to this month’s go-go-go.
My personal rest practice is THIS remarkable sequence by my restorative yoga teacher, Scott Davis. It’s trauma-awake, and slows everything right on down.
#2: Prevent overwhelm
I’ve been sharing a tool quite frequently with my clients these days. There’s something about it I absolutely adore. It’s called Magic ToDo. And it really does feel like magic. Head to (the very weirdly titled) free site goblin.tools. This site breaks down big things into smaller subtasks—one key to preventing academic overwhelm. Sometimes folks call it “little and often” or “chunking.” It’s beautiful! Especially for students who might feel a bit nervous or immobilized by a task or assignment that they’re envisioning as ONE thing that has to get done—instead of a bunch of littler to-do’s. That’s the magic of Magic ToDo!
Pop in a “New Item”. You could try “clean my room” or “learn quadratic formula” or “write a 500 word personal reflection”. Whatever you’ve got on your plate.
Once you have that item you’d like ‘chunked’ / broken down, “add” that item by way of the blue and white plus sign.
Then, click the blue wand to the right of that line.
Wait for it. Wait for it. Boom! It’s now a step-by-step list.
It gets even better. Do you see the chilli peppers? Well, you can change the chillis—more chillis for more detail and micro-steps, fewer chillies for a more pared down, streamlined list.
And, it gets EVEN better! If any of the subtasks feel too big or the how is unclear, then you can magic wand each too—by literally pressing on the blue magic wand again on that very task line item.
So, between upping your rest and a wildly helpful to-do list generator, I hope that brings at least a little more ease this back-to-school season.
Let’s tap into that sense of being alongside each other as we start, or support the start, of lovely learning this week. I’ll promise to rest a little more if you do.
Wishing you kind learning,
Deena