#217 Self-care
Further to my earlier posts on self-care, I continue to ask myself, “What do I need personally and professionally to feel that I have my own sense of balance so I can be my best self all the time?”
In my November 2017 blogpost, I shared that, “This is a question, I keep utmost in mind throughout the school year ... be it when the anticipation of the new academic year is ever present, during October, November, and December when everything feels so uncertain with recruiting session being in earnest, or when the end of the year is in sight and the bittersweet feelings that come with knowing the long vacation is on the horizon and hard goodbyes are yet to come.”
Four years on, this question is even more important. It is easy to be overwhelmed by various personal and professional demands. However, these day to day demands are coupled with the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic and the current events in Ukraine; bringing to the fore the importance, yet again, of self-care.
In the last few weeks, I have seen two school leaders focus on the importance of reflecting on ourselves through the mnemonic of PIES (Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Spiritual).
The first, GP, shared how this is done as an opening activity with his staff. Giving time and space for faculty to share/disclose (within their own level of comfort) with others ensures all are aware of how colleagues are feeling with regard to the physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual realms. As a result school leaders and faculty colleagues are mindful of each other in a more comprehensive way and are able to support each other accordingly.
The second example was a Twitter post from Craig Johnson (Head of School at American School of Bombay). He reminds us to be mindful of not depleting our energies and reminds us to refuel (not simultaneously) our physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual energies. To illustrate his point, he shared this great image from @lizandmollie.
How do you prioritize self-care (be it with the PIES mnemonic or not) so you and those with whom you work, serve and care for can be their best selves?
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