Week 2: That Quarantine Life!

Well, I made it through week 2 (and you did too)! Give yourself a pat on the back. I’m going to give myself one as I’ve worked HARD this week!  

This week brought a huge learning curve. I went from talking in person or through email, to communicating mostly via Zoom or Google Meet video meetings. I know many of you are in the same boat as well. I have no issues with new technology. However, it was a lot of new tools to learn very quickly. This makes ones brain extremely tired!

And, as many of us have learned this week, there is still a LOT of work when working from home. My staff have questions. My families have questions. I’m trying to keep my families engaged and connected with our school. I’m learning new technology (and then leading my staff in a tutorial when I had just learned it myself…pretty funny!). I’m trying to lead my staff and school from afar.  I am worrying, wondering, planning and leading…whew, I’m wiped out just thinking back on it all!

Last week I shared with you my lessons learned. But, I did not follow my own advice very well. So, I’m writing some new lessons and thoughts so that I WILL follow them next week! I cannot keep working all day and into the evening.

Lessons for working and living at home during a quarantine:

1. Figure out ways to get out of the house or away from the computer. As I shared last week, I’ve been trying to take 2 walks with my dogs a day. Fresh air and a different environment is good for the mind, soul, and body! But, most days I only took one walk. Stephanie – listen to your own advice…2 walks a day!
2. Exercise is vital! My Assistant Principal is leading an exercise class online for any staff members multiple days a week. Not only am I getting exercise, but I also get to see faces from school (connections!).
3. Schedule – Ugh. This one has been REALLY tough for me! I haven’t even close to mastered it yet. But, I did better today and stopped working by 5pm (yay!). Next week the goal is to stop working on time at least 3 out of the 5 days (sounds like an IEP goal, right?!).
4.  Don’t go all Jack Nicholson (you know what I’m talking about if you’ve seen The Shining)! Your mental health during this time is SO important! Get out of the house for a walk. Go for a drive to see new surroundings. Call a friend or family member (and even better if you use Facetime or a virtual connection so you can “see” each other). Love on your animals if you have them. Take a hot bath. Read a book. But, the point is, do things that make you happy and keep you connected. We don’t need everyone going all psycho during this time (me included…and I will admit, there has been some yelling and frustration with my husband and kids this week…I’m NOT perfect!).
5. Lessen the amount of social media and news media you are exposed to. This often cause me to have a lot of anxiety; and I know this is the case for many others. Pick a newscast or 2 (maybe one local and one national) and that’s it! Don’t watch the news all day/night long. And, limit your social media. It’s easy to get sucked in. I’ve been working on not being on as much in the evenings. I encourage you do to the same. It’s good for our mental health!

Thanks for reading my blog. I hope it helps you to see that you are not alone and we truly are all in this craziness together! We got this!

Stephanie

~The Positive Principal

*Picture – this is my doggie, Brutus. My husband put him on the table and he sat/laid there for about 30 minutes while I worked!