I feel like I *need* to
blog. Because I know people like to read and see what is up, but I don't
have any particularly funny stories or experiences to share with you.
But maybe instead I'll tell you a true story about why I love being
lazy.
Well, to be fair, only half lazy. :)
Last spring I
decided that I needed a break from full time teaching. I'm a pretty
talented teacher (humble too) and I work hard to provide a fun, educational
environment for the students that I teach each year. But after 8 years
of middle school teaching, I had had it. To be truthful, after 7 years I
was done, but my practical side told me to keep going. Oh I could write
you a long list of reasons why I was on the verge of a nervous
breakdown, but that is not fair, because many of my days were good, my
school was good, my fellow staff was good. But the constant pressure to
do more, be more, spend more, etc combined with the pressure of less
help, less funding, more special needs students weighed heavily on me
until I realized I could not fully serve the students in my classroom.
Not the way I was trained, and not the way I wanted. I was tired. So so
so tired. And so I took a break.
It has been one of the best
decisions I have made for myself. The only downside is that I don't have
a regular income. The benefits: free time ALL.THE.TIME Whenever I want.
I also get to travel, not work at home, not stress out about kids
under-performing and blaming myself, not dealing with stressed out
parents (contrary to popular belief you child is not the only student I
teach... sorry.), not do extra work I'm not paid to do etc. It's
fantastic.
So what do I do with all this wonderful free time? I
do crafts. I read. I spend far too much time on facebook. I watch TV, I
work out, I spend time with my man. I go shopping, I write letters, I
nap. OH do I nap. So much napping.
So how does a grown woman
provide for herself with no job? A combination of things. I get a little
bit of money I have been investing in over the past fifteen years
through an organization known as EI, I substitute teach, and I waitress.
And I make more money waitressing than I did teaching. I think it's sad
that people care more about someone bringing food to their table then
educating their children.
It's great though. I love the
half-lazy life I lead. I like not crying in my shower at the end of a
long day. I like working when I feel like it. I like having a life with
zero pressure in it. I LOVE making sweet tips waitressing, I like just
doing things, stuff, whatever, whenever. I feel so much healthier and
happier and relaxed. Will I go back to teaching? Probably - because that
is where my gifting is and I do enjoy it. But I'm not ready yet. Right
now I'm happy with my low key half-lazy existence.
