Taking Time to Find the Bright Spots

Naomi Dupre-Edelman, assistant director of math leadership programs at 成人视频College, shares how to find bright spots: these are positive moments in our day when we feel uplifted and energized.

The end of the summer is a joy and a hurdle. The summer is coming to a close, and you鈥檝e either started classes or are deciding when to set up your classroom. I鈥檓 sure many of you are feeling mixed emotions: the end-of-summer blues are setting in, and the excitement and anticipation of a new school year are building.

I see you, and I want you to know you鈥檙e doing a great job 鈥 whether you鈥檙e taking care of yourself, prepping for the new school year or diving into the first few weeks. This work can feel challenging.

Let鈥檚 pause. Take a breath.

Now let鈥檚 find the bright spots.

What is a bright spot?

A bright spot is a positive moment in our day when we feel uplifted and energized.

I won鈥檛 pretend these are easy to find when you feel like you鈥檙e living or preparing to live in chaos. Humans have what brain science likes to call a negativity bias. In short, this means that we find it easier to focus on negative happenings, especially when we鈥檙e not taking care of ourselves. But we can combat this if we find time to look for moments that energize us and bring positivity.

Plan your bright spots

As teachers, administrators, coaches and interventionists, we chose an incredibly rewarding career, but sometimes it doesn鈥檛 feel that way; the day-to-day can feel overwhelming.

But sometimes, we must shift our mindset to look for the positives. I know this can be difficult. I鈥檝e been there. On the bright side, we鈥檙e really good at planning. So, why don鈥檛 we plan to look for bright spots?

One of my favorite books on supporting emotional resilience in teaching is 鈥淥nward鈥 by Elena Aguilar. I recommend that you read it if you haven鈥檛 already. But make sure to read it with a colleague or a group of them. Aguilar also created a workbook with activities that give structure to the things she asks you to try. Today, I鈥檓 going to ask you to build the Savor the Little Moments reflection from this workbook into your planning routine.

Here鈥檚 how it works:

  1. Plan and anticipate: make a list of at least 10 mundane but enjoyable moments you can anticipate savoring this week (HINT: they don鈥檛 all have to be in the classroom). Start with the moments that you know you enjoy but don鈥檛 usually notice. Next, add other good moments that you anticipate for this week.
  2. Notice and enjoy: when you鈥檙e in the moments you wrote down, try to enjoy them. Because you attuned yourself to them, your mind might remind you to enjoy them! Also, remember to savor each moment that feels good (even if it's not on your list).
  3. Reflect: At the end of each day, take a few moments to reflect: what did you savor? What did you notice when you savored each moment?

I also recommend completing the Savor the Little Moments worksheet from Elena Aguilar鈥檚 鈥淭he Onward Workbook.鈥 The workbook includes many wonderful ideas to help you find bright spots and focus on self-care, as well as many other topics. I have found that the workbook, when used in conjunction with 鈥淥nward,鈥 supports me as I navigate the difficulties of maintaining work鈥搇ife balance while teaching.

While you鈥檙e preparing for or diving into the school year, set aside some time to plan ahead for those bright spots this school year.

Enjoy the first weeks of school or the last moments of summer! 
Naomi

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