Some things have been weighing heavily on my mind lately.
Things that tap into my perfectionistic tendencies and my desire to be a flippin' awesome librarian (well, truth be told, a flippin' awesome everything--again, with the perfectionism, right? but I digress...)
It started with little whispers that floated on the periphery of my subconscious.
That little voice that I knew I should be still and listen to----but I chose to stuff it, to tell it to hush up; I chose the facade.
We have a great new librarian in my district, struggling with some difficult obstacles to overcome. Much of it out of her control. She knows what she should be doing...but is stifled. I didn't realize until she texted me after a meeting that she left every district librarian meeting in tears because "we were all doing these amazing things" and she couldn't.
No worries, truthful reassurances were given. At our next meeting, I mentioned the "Facebook Effect"--you know--how we put our awesome stuff up (I mean, of course, right?) but not our hard moments, our gaffes, our worries.
Our shoulds. Our shame at not being enough.
And I'm not suggesting you start doing that, but I am suggesting that we all get really REAL that this is what is truth.
Because we all feel this at some point. Some of us may feel that a lot. You know, if you have perfectionistic tendencies and a desire to be flippin' awesome you may feel this every.second.of.the.day. unless you practice mindfulness. Not that I would know personally, or anything. (yeah, right!)
I felt it at the last conference I attended. I feel it when I read the blogs/tweets/inst-posts of my library gurus and my rockin' PLN.
I mostly keep very, very quiet about this feeling that no matter what amazing things I'm doing, I should be doing more, and doing it better, smarter, & more fabulously.
And then yesterday someone tweeted this article written by one of my library gurus. One of the most flippin' awesome librarians ever. I am by no means a Type A. But I am passionately driven when it comes to my life's work, and so I need this reminder that no one can do it all perfectly all the time.
I think this is actually becoming more important for us to recognize as truth than ever before due to that "Facebook Effect" that has become pervasive in our society. We need to remember to add this to our conversations, our speaking events, our sharing of ideas.
We can do it all---but not at the same time to the same level. That just isn't reality for the long-haul, it is a cause of burnout. No one can.
No one wants to feel like Atlas, always struggling and never succeeding.
Let's remember to lift one another up in this way, friends.
YES to learning/sharing/growing/trying new things/becoming every better---with the mindfulness to remember you are enough and that to every thing there is a season.
This month I will participate in the Slice of Life Challenge!
My goal is to Write. Share. Give. each & every day of March.
Check out Two Writing Teachers for more info!
That took a lot of courage to share your feelings! We all feel inadequate no matter your position in the education system. It often feels like we can't take the time to celebrate our success and ponder the moments that don't feel good. So many times it seems as if everyone else is doing a better job but in reality they are probably struggling just the same.
ReplyDeleteThat took a lot of courage to share your feelings! We all feel inadequate no matter your position in the education system. It often feels like we can't take the time to celebrate our success and ponder the moments that don't feel good. So many times it seems as if everyone else is doing a better job but in reality they are probably struggling just the same.
ReplyDeleteUgh! I didn't know that about our friend. That makes me feel like a bad mentor.
ReplyDeleteI had a situation happened today that made me feel like a complete failure. Seeing others "perfect worlds" doesn't help but it's hard to put the "bad" out there. Excellent thoughts!
Thank you for sharing. I have long felt that professional development meetings for teachers often turn into Facebook frenzies. (In MY class...). I think we teachers tend to do that because we get so little feedback for what we do right. We are searching for strokes. But to listen to all of that can make us feel inadequate. What an on going struggle!!! Know that your worst is so much better than most could do. And celebrate the growth that happens on all of those bad days. At least teachers get to grow and learn each day. No stagnating for us!
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