“The Empty Tank”
Dear Teacher,
Car maintenance feels like such a chore.
This week, the dashboard light on our 200,000+ mile Honda Odyssey blinked on, indicating time for a regular oil change. As we often do, we 'pushed the envelope' a bit, waiting until the 15% meter ticked down to 10% before we were intentional to pull into the mechanic's for maintenance.
As they assessed our vehicle, they quickly came back alarmed, saying that the oil cap had been stripped, allowing fluid to leak through and completely drain the pan. Next steps were critical, given that engine damage was imminent and refill imperative. My husband spent the next few hours at the mechanic, advocating for proper maintenance that had overlooked and neglected in our prior visits. Through the process, another leak was detected elsewhere, necessitating our ongoing care of and intentionality for the longterm life of our vehicle.
And you, teacher, there in your classroom, may often feel like self-maintentence is such a chore. You may sometime ignore the 'dashboard indicators' of fatigue, irritability, disorganization, and overwhelm and push yourself a little bit further. You may try to get a little more about yourself before being intentional for self-care.
The risk? Once you finally park the busyness to do a refill, you may find that the damage is already done. It could be that you discover your reserve is completely drained and your coping abilities stripped. The possibility is high that a lack of attention to your own needs has given way to other 'leaks' that now require excessive time and attention that could have been prevented by regular maintenance. Your continued pouring out for students and their families necessitates the ongoing care and intentionality for your overall longterm.
So, don't ignore the warning signs. Resist the urge dismiss the red-light indicators. Instead, be proactive about your mental and physical wellness to preserve yourself for the longterm.
Anticipating my hammock self-care later,
Mindy
Christian Educator & School Counselor