Ericas Ed-Ventures

Primary Education Ideas

Teacher Week – Therapeutic Thursday

I know this post is a bit late!  I did not want to stress myself out by getting it done on Thursday.  Choose sanity right?  
I am a bit nervous to put this out there, but I am a firm believer in actual therapy.  I don’t know if it is just more acceptable in NY.  I know there is this stigma attached to therapy: that you have to be CRAZY or have gone through some trama to go.  But that is so not true!  Therapy is way different than going to a “shrink,” most therapists are Social Workers or Psychologists and they cannot prescribe medication.  Therapists can help you realize that you are being ridiculous about something and/or help you find ways to cope.  As teachers, we put so much pressure on ourselves to be perfect and then we are so hard on ourselves when we are not.  It is nice to have someone there to give you a reality check and ask “What would happen if you did not get your lesson plans for next week done by Thursday of the week before?”  Um..yeah nothing would happen and no one would know except for me.   We all have stress in our lives and we all need to learn ways to deal with it so that it does not effect our health or social relationships.  Therapists are also sworn to secrecy – so you can tell them anything and it is not going to come back to bite you in the butt 🙂   Check with your insurance to see if it covers therapy or if you need a referral first.   I am hoping by sharing this, I help at least one person. 
I also have a supportive group of friends in this blogging world.  We email each other, talk on the phone, text, and even try to meet up.  It is wonderful having friends that know exactly what I do and why.  We are so supportive of each other’s success!  My bloggy friends understand the pressure to keep the blog posts and products coming, while still trying to be perfect at your day job!   Not feeling alone is the best way to cope!
On to less traditional therapy!  I do a lot of retail therapy.  New things make me happy.  Hence, my 100 plus pairs of shoes!  Also, organizing things relaxes me and makes my life feel less chaotic.  I like control and order 🙂
Pets – Did you know pets are supposed to reduce stress and blood pressure?  I don’t think it works though – the more you have the less stress…that would be the opposite…haha!  I have two cats and two dogs.  My dogs are my children and the cats are my pets! 

Boating and the beach!  There is nothing more relaxing than being out on the water.

My boat!
I took my friend Diana out with her dog Chewie and we had a puppy party on the boat!

So here it is.  If you want to link up with Blog Hoppin’, click below. 

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Comments

  1. You are fabulous and brave for putting yourself out there. Teachers need to be more willing to put themselves first sometimes. We give, give, give… we need to be healthy (emotionally and physically) for those we care about- including our students! Thanks for sharing. I think it's something that we all struggle with 🙂
    -Michele
    New Adventures in First Grade

  2. Yes! Real therapy has probably been one of the best investments I've made for myself and my children. Giving them and myself tools to help cope with life's struggles, like not being perfect and losing loved ones is the best gift I've given myself and my children! Thank you for being brave.
    Jenny
    Owl Things First

  3. Thank you for sharing. You are so right, teachers put more pressure on themselves than anyone else does. I think it is part of being passionate about what we do. It is so important to realize that we can't do it all. I find organizing to be therapy as well. It makes me feel in control of something. And your puppy party looks like so much fun!

    Sara 🙂
    Smiling In Second Grade

  4. Hi Erica!

    I am putting a list of Teacher Blogs together to share some great new products. There is a new book series, Captain McFinn and Friends, that has recently debuted. The books aim to teach young children, ages 4-9 to be a friend, and not a bully. There is also a classroom resource program that ties into the series called S.H.A.R.K. Patrol.

    I'd like to tell you more about it, and send you copies of the books plus other information, but I can't find an e-mail address for you.

    Could you please e-mail me at Courtney.Manders@bhgpr.com so we can talk!

    Courtney Manders

  5. Erica love your blog and your boat!! Wondering if you can tell me the artist that created the graphic for the Teacher Week from Blog Hoppin? I love the style!