What's the secret to finding a balance?

Old 07-12-2007, 07:43 PM
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What's the secret to finding a balance?

This summer has really been about resting, reflecting, and working on recovery.
I've been putting myself first, detaching from my sister's issues, and really enjoying each day. I've added a few peaceful routines, too.

As I start to think a little about the upcoming school year, I will have many new changes. I don't want to overwhelm myself and have to be flexible in my job all of the time. ME time will be so important since most of my day will be with others.

I found that I either try to give 100% in everything and burn out fast or work becomes my sole focus. I don't want that either.

I'm getting anxious and nervous about losing the peace I've found this summer.
I know I can only take things one day at a time, but I have to be prepared for the unexpected, too. Planning is one of the most important parts of my job. I can't just walk in and see what happens, although sometimes the plans are changed on a dime.

So, back to my original title...what do you do to keep your recovery first?
Maybe I'll have to schedule appointments with myself.
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Old 07-12-2007, 07:54 PM
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get it, give it, grow in it
 
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Must be hot there in Phoenix. They say the 3 best things abt. teaching are JUNE, JULY & AUGUST. So glad to hear your summer is going well. To help with my recovery I have made a few "best" friends from my alanon mtg. They too have young adult children that are addicts. We're all working our revcovery so we relate in a very emotionally supportive way and share the desire for growth. We even work the 12 steps together. I try to exercise at least 5 days a week which really helps keep my mood positive. I routinely have fun.
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Old 07-12-2007, 08:16 PM
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I try to live one day at a time. Doesn't mean no planning, but I refuse to get anxious about what MIGHT happen tomorrow. It isn't easy, but it's what I strive for every morning.
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Old 07-12-2007, 08:24 PM
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Wish we had all of August as part of the summer. I'm officially back Aug. 6 and the kids return the 13th.

Usually, I'm back working in my classroom by now. I'm actually avoiding work for once and that's making me a little anxious, too.

I'm really not trying to complain. I just want to have the best for both a healthy professional and personal life and don't know how to achieve that without compromising one or the other. I'm working on the high level of standards I set for myself. I'm proud of my professional gains, but the personal part is lacking so much.
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Old 07-12-2007, 09:51 PM
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I found that when I got busy, my recovery often got back-burnered, and I didn't like that. I FELT it.

I had to make appointments with myself....in pen.....to write in my journal, take a walk, do some deep recovery reading. It helped me to set aside the same time every day (for me it was early morning, for you it might be late night just before turning in). My body got into the physical habit that way, so if I skipped, it would tap me on the shoulder and give me that "aren't you forgetting something?" feeling.

Good luck aztchr! Remember that your recovery is making you a better and more compassionate teacher. It is every bit as worthy to spend time on recovery as it is to spend time on your professional growth, perhaps even moreso. You may not decide to remain a teacher forever, but you will always need ways to stay emotionally healthy no matter where life takes you.

Hugs,
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Old 07-12-2007, 10:01 PM
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Thanks for the reminder!! It will all fall into place once I get back into the swing of things! Anticipation gets the best of me sometimes and then my head starts spinning.
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Old 07-12-2007, 11:00 PM
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Really hard for me to balance in my personal life, but at work i use it to
my advantage. I use to be a purchaing manager for electronics.
Things do change on a dime and it's worst than playing the stock market.
And some of the components has 12-16 weeks lead time and i'm
always anticipating..it's really chaoctic too. I operated will in that enviorment
for some reason.

Sometimes, just to show who's really in control..even if i did plan will
and order parts 3-4 months before hands. Even when I exhusted all
of my resourse..the parts don't get to the plant on time and the production
line shuts down and it's like a chain reaction..our customs, thier customs
and thier custom get mad. You know... there wasn't enough PS3 or the
Iphone to go around for everyone.

I've gone in the bath room many, many time just to pray when things
just gets out of control and for some reason the pasrts shows up
on our dock the next morning or shortly after, or I a get a call for
sale people telling i wound get them the next day...this is after they
told me...the truck crashed, the boat sunk or UPS/Fed-X ship my
box around the world again..

i still struggle with balance today...yeap, I'll either gose full blast or
not at all. One of the a traits of a ACOC.
Overachiving or underachiving.
I've been awear of it and tried to descipline myself,
but for stupid reason. this chareacter defect hasn't been removed
through my own will.. So all i can do now is pray about it.
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Old 07-13-2007, 10:37 AM
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At least I recognize my feelings and emotions more now and will be able to make better choices about how to handle them.
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Old 07-13-2007, 10:43 AM
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When you find out, let me know.....

Moderation is not in this alkies vocabulary. That said, I have put recovery first. But I still find time for my kids, cats & dogs, and Me time. As well as work, of course.
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