Know Thyself

Now that I'm 25, I'm getting much better at knowing my limits and listening to the inner workings of me. And here's proof....

So, I know that everybody is busy. We have a tendency to bite off way more than we can chew in this life because we genuinely want to do all those things we commit to. I know people have deadlines, and papers, and observations, and kids!, and are doing a million things.....but, let me just say, this is THE single busiest semester I have ever had so far.
*I'm student teaching. (40-50 hours of unpaid work with students with hearing loss.)
*I'm taking a grad class. (EPSY 5649. THE motherload of all classes in our program.)
*I'm taking the PRAXIS test. (to test my knowledge in ALL aspects of special education.)
*I'm creating and presenting a portfolio. (to demonstrate my ability to do this job.)
*I'm getting tutored in ASL. (to buff up on my skills.)
*I'm taking the SCPI test. (all in ASL. Hence the tutoring.)
*I'm working at the bar. (Fri. nights, and 10 hours on Saturdays.)
*I was going to Vision Therapy every Tues. but postponed that. (Something had to give!)

SO -- I've been doing all these things and balancing pretty well for the past 9 weeks. Last weekend I wrote a 22 page paper for my class that nearly killed me, and then got sick on Tuesday. I went home early from school Tuesday, and have been fighting this cold ever since. I am feeling much better, but am still wiped out. Yesterday was my day to do homework, but instead, I worked on laundry, fixing my computer, hanging shelves in my room, and cleaning.

I have 2 papers due tonight in class, and a third due for student teaching. I got home from dinner last night at 8:00 and realized there was no way I was going to get those 3 things done, plus study for my midterm, plus be useful at all this week for the kids. So, I knew I was at my breaking point, listened to myself, and made an executive decision to NOT go to school today. Instead, I'm at home working on these things and getting ready for class tonight, and the week ahead.

I realize this might seem like a "cop out" to some of you who are superstars or who sacrifice sleep or other things to make it happen. But, this is actually a major triumph for me. I am starting to put myself first in my life, (what a novel idea!) and I feel much more balanced and able to attend to what is at hand.

It's all about knowing your limits.

I could have pushed through, stayed up till past midnight to get the papers done, slept for a couple hours, and then gone to school this morning. However, then I would have done a half-ass job on the papers, and have been exhausted all week, and in turn, not done a good job with any of the kids. Instead, I recognized my limit, and made a decision to balance myself and my priorities. In the end, I think I will have a much better week, and so will the kids.

What have you done for yourself this week?