TL;DR:
- Engage in reflection in December and try not to get overwhelmed by the swirl of activities.
- Look at your calendar for December NOW. What events will not bring you joy? Decide to skip those.
- Purposely and purposefully unplug at least one day this month.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…kinda. December is a funny month when you are a school person. On one hand, we are truly filled with major holiday spirit, and at a school, it is usually on full display. On the other hand, we are also counting down the days until we get a break from school and when we are in countdown mode, we are less likely to appreciate the content of the days as we spend them. It is really easy to become disengaged from school life even as our time commitments to school events massively increase this month.
Here comes the summing up…but first, the stressful part.
As we come to the end of a calendar year, we are often in summing up mode. I love that we allow ourselves to reflect in December. It’s important to engage in this reflection despite the fact that there is a swirl of activities that seem determined to pull us in other directions. It is also important to actually engage in the events themselves and really be present.
There are so many changes during the holiday season that we self-impose. Our diets are different, our schedules change, our finances take a hit. Adding to the intensity of this time is the fact that we are bombarded with messages that practically command us to be jolly and merry, even if we are actually overwhelmed and stressed out. It would be great if we could engage in the holiday season positively. And beyond that, we could actually elevate our activities in December without making ourselves grinchy and miserable!
Purposely and purposefully unplug at least one day this month. I suggest to my staff that they spend at least one whole day during break in their pajamas binge watching TV. Click To TweetEngaging with what goes on in December.
As you’re reading this, we have just finished Thanksgiving, and are barreling down the track to Christmas, Boxing Day, Kwanzaa, and New Years. Hanukkah is already underway and we are not even to World Pear Day (December 4), National Brownie Day (December 8), or even National Short Girl Appreciation Day (December 21). There is so much going on! You likely have holiday concerts, parties, dinners, markets, light displays, etc. that pull you in different directions.
In order to engage in holiday activities, you really have to consider what you have going on, and make a conscious decision NOT to overload your December buffet plate (literally and figuratively). If ever there was a time to politely decline an invitation, this is the time. Engage in what brings you joy, and pass on what brings you stress. This is as easy as saying, I’m sorry I have to miss your event, but I look forward to having breakfast with you on National Bacon Day (December 30)!
On that note, when you choose an event or activity, be present for it! Watch the concert with your eyes, not through your phone screen. I promise, you will not re-watch the concert again and again. Choose to experience the wonders of December, be it the weather, the festivities, the food, or the presents. I want you to consider that literally everyone is feeling the same concerns you are about, for example, what to wear at the school holiday party. I want you to consider this. Think about the last holiday event you attended. Who wore what? You likely don’t remember and that’s the point. Engage in the event…not the swirling stress of how you look (except on National Wear Your Pearls Day – December 15).
[scroll down to keep reading]
Let’s Elevate by doing less!
How to elevate your December is a different story. In this case, elevating is actually doing less, but doing it more deeply. To elevate your December experience, my suggestion would be to look at your calendar TODAY.
Here are my suggestions to elevate December:
- Put all the expectations on the calendar in pencil and then actually erase the ones that will not bring you comfort and joy. If you want to attend that holiday party, go!
- Doing your holiday shopping? Find every excuse to use online shopping and shipping…or truly elevate and find a local merchant that could use the business and shop small.
- Pare down your gift list and consider using the money to pay yourself and not deplete your bank account.
- Show love to your students by providing them the space to reflect on the year through innovative writing activities (a 2021 book of Haiku would be great fun).
- Plan your class party for the day before the last day and spend that last day low-key and reflective. The best part is your room will already be cleaned up, and you will be able to leave untethered when the bell rings!
- Celebrate National Cocoa Day (December 13) with a night in. Purposely and purposefully unplug at least one day this month. I suggest to my staff that they spend at least one whole day during break in their pajamas binge-watching TV.
I wish you all a glorious engaged and elevated December!
About Martin Silverman
Martin Silverman is a father, grandfather, husband, and long-time educator in beautiful San Antonio, Texas. He is committed to providing the best educational experience for the students and families at Salinas Elementary school where he is principal. Martin has worked in urban, suburban, and rural districts as a teacher and administrator. His interests are in creating and nurturing school culture, providing enriching experiences for students and families, and developing future teachers and administrators.
As a former bilingual teacher and administrator, Martin is committed to providing ELL students with quality programs to develop their unique skills. He hosts a podcast called The Second Question, which highlights educators and provides them a forum to discuss ideas, and to honor the teachers that have influenced their lives.
