Everyone can use mindset shifts, I try to use them all the time inside and outside of my classroom. While I am a huge advocate for trying to shift to a place of positivity, I didn’t realize how badly I needed the journal work of mindset shifts until I became a mom. Parenthood is overwhelming. Being the person and part of the unit of persons for a little being that you are still figuring out is exhausting. There is a rush of emotions that happens with wanting to keep the new little one safe, wanting to take care of yourself and your partner, and adjusting to a new life routine. Even if the new addition isn’t your first, new moms (of any kind) can benefit from mindset shift work. This post is for the new moms that need to work themselves out of the funk, and all they have is a notebook and a pen or pencil.

When I became a mother, I knew that the most important person talking to me was myself. However, it became impossible at times to feel positive because I was tired, discouraged, or lost in all of the new information. All while trying to keep a tiny baby alive and not dread going to the restroom with my peri-bottles and larger-than-life pads. I am a firm believer that we are the mindset we make each day. While it was easy to find joy in newborn snuggles, I think everyone can use a journal to make the postpartum period of life a bit more joyous on the inside as well as the outside. Everyone kept telling my husband and me: “Trust me, it gets better.” I am here to tell you, yes it gets better, but you can also use mindset shifts along the way to help your own sanity until little one gives you that first long sleeping stretch at night.

As a teacher, it is easy to find yourself in a state of being pretty negative at school. Not necessarily with the students, but with other teachers and staff in the building. The cycle of negative talk-particularly negative teacher self-talk- is one that can consume school buildings in various spots, in entire hallways or sections, and in entire buildings. It manifests into people not wanting to come to work. Think about it like the culture and climate of your brain. The thoughts that we are thinking when we wake up, the ideas that cross our minds throughout the day while we are making millions of decisions, and the contemplations that we feel driving home are all indicators of who we are as people and where we are at in terms of self-care and belief about our work. Simply, we are our thoughts. This post is all about the connection our thoughts have to our actions and bodies. If we can talk about negative teacher self-talk in a way that helps combat fatigue and negativity in the workplace, we have a shot at changing our point of view. First, recognize the signs of negative teacher self-talk in yourself and in others:

1. Significantly reduced patience with classroom management (Quick to snap)

2. Increased levels of stress and anxiety

3. Trouble sleeping or waking up with a 3 am a to-do list

4. Taking work home to your significant other or family in a counter-productive way or bottling up completely about the issues at work to appear like you are fine

5. Lack of creativity or energy in lesson planning or delivery

6. Not wanting to get up to go to work for repeated days in a row