Starting a new school year always brings a mixture of excitement and anxiety, and that’s at the best of times. This year’s return to school will look and feel a whole lot different for students, as well as for teachers and parents.
As working parents with our side hustle, it can be new, and challenging to get our focus back this year. That’s why I thought I would share some tips on for getting the kids back to school AND getting back to business. That is why I’ve decided to create a blog with some tips on how to get back to business.
#1 BE KIND TO YOURSELF
First and foremost, I want to stress that it’s OKAY to go through the emotions- nervous, anxious, unsure what to do — we are experiencing unprecedented times. This does not make you a bad mom, or a bad employee or a bad entrepreneur. We have no playbook for living through this and certainly no idea of what the future is going to bring and you should take a step back right now, pat yourself on the back for doing the best you can given this. Fear of the unknown is normal. Our brains are designed to protect us from threats, both real and perceived. That’s our natural drive for self-preservation, and it kicks in whenever we feel uncertain, insecure or anxious. Who hasn’t felt that way at some point during all of this?
#2 FIND A SAFE SPACE AND SUPPORT SYSTEM
I always recommend surrounding yourself with like minded individuals who have the same priorities, or challenges so you can bounce ideas off each other and provide a level of support. That’s why we have a few Facebook groups to help with this (feel free to join using the links below!):
Au-mazing Tribe: Autism Support with Dr. Ali Griffith
Positive Power Movers with Dr. Ali
#3 FOCUS ON CREATING YOUR NEW ROUTINE
It’s important to take a step back and re-evaluate the routine you once knew. Do you need to consider a priority shift in your day? Maybe take a look at what is gobbling up too much of your time, and start focusing on what your new routine will look like. This may mean it will take some time to get used to the new routine- but habits aren’t formed over night. Start by sitting down, creating a new routine that is going to work for you with the way things are now. Are your kids being homeschooled now instead of going in? Build that time in. Are you getting fatigued from all the social media and news panic around the pandemic? Look at moderating how much time you spend doing that versus consuming more positive news, or focusing that energy on your business.
#4 ONE SIZE DOESN’T FIT ALL
It’s a process to figure out what works for you, don’t be afraid to try different ways to seek support and build your own resiliency. Many people find that peer-to-peer support is enough, where others find benefit when used alongside more intensive supports.
#5 WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
Knowing that others are experiencing the same challenges and having someone empathize can be a relief and a huge comfort. Sharing feelings and thoughts and having someone listen, is immensely valuable for supporting our mental health. As we navigate the next “new normal,” lean in to your community of support to gain reassurance and encouragement.
Recent Comments