The Windshield

Yesterday was a Monday, and it was a hard Monday for me.  I felt like I struggled to prioritize my work, had issues with using the technology I needed, butted heads with my kids about their work, and spent too many hours looking at a computer screen.  (It's hard to have good boundaries when your work is in your home).  At the end of the day, I felt both emotionally and physically drained.  (I think I mentioned it in my evening blog post).  

I wanted to acknowledge it this morning and talk to you all about it for a couple of reasons.  Mostly, because it's important for us as humans to acknowledge and address our emotions.  All emotions are valid and normal, and worth examining so that we can do better, or maybe just feel better, the next day.  If we stuff our emotions or refuse to address the ones we perceive as negative, we don't become the best version of ourselves in the future.

Additionally, emotions unaddressed tend to turn into larger problems like tension (chronic stress), headaches, stomach aches, anger directed towards ourselves or others, and unhealthy coping mechanisms.  It's important to give ourselves a break when we have less than stellar days.  It happens to everyone, none of us are immune to the ebb and flow of life's ups and downs.  

In addressing our emotions we can focus on the things within our control, and let go of the things that we can not.  So what can we control?  

Our effort (concerted effort is good, over-extending ourselves is not)
Our self-care routines (play and relaxation)
Our expectations, (none of us is perfect, and shouldn't try to be)
Our words and actions (directed towards ourselves and others)
Our thoughts and ideas (practice positivity)
Our behavior (kindness matters)

What can't we control in this strange time?

The weather (snow...really???)

The virus

Other people

The situation

So let's all do our best today to remember that the windshield is wide, and the rearview is small, so look ahead, keep things in perspective, focus on today, and do what we need to do to take care of ourselves.  Take breaks, play, eat well, use positive self-talk, connect positively to those we are spending time with, and excuse ourselves for the things we can not control.  

Be well,

Mrs. Hempey

PS - Here are a few more PJ pictures from yesterday...

 Bet you couldn't guess that this is Nurse Saunders?!?

 Thanks for the photo, Izzy!

I hope you had a good day in your PJ's, Katie!

 Sylvie joined the fun...

  And so did the Dente crew!

Today's Virtual Spirit Week theme is Mud Season Day!  Come on Students, let's see those photos!  

Here I am this morning...

I am thinking I'll do an after picture once (if) the sun comes out and the weather warms up...you know that whole, wait five minutes thing, about Vermont weather right?  

Spring of deception was last week...I think we are into the third winter!  😄