Weekly Journal Prompt: Week 8
- Aug 18
- 3 min read
Hello and Welcome!
Welcome to week 8! Thank you for subscribing to self-reflection and personal growth! Grab your favourite writing utensil, paper/notebook/or keyboard and find some space to write whatever comes to mind.
I'm so glad you are here!
How has your journal reflection been so far? How about Your Call to Action from last week? Did you get creative? What way(s) did you create something? How was that experience for you?
Share your thoughts (even anonymously) at: michelle@atplayprofessionaldevelopment.com
Here's your journal prompt for this week!
What do you find the hardest part of being an ECE/educator/caregiver?
Can you dig a little deeper here? What does it feel like in your body? What is your mind telling you, maybe in the far back whispering (or shouting) at you? What are all the things you are holding in, that maybe could come out with a pen and paper here?
Being an ECE and caregiver is one of the hardest jobs. Caring and growing others takes an ample amount of effort, time, dedication, regulation, and love. That's why you chose this job, because you are all those things and you love to give to others.
Your Call to Action
This week, what can you give to yourself?
What is one thing, be it small or large? Taking 5 minutes or an hour? What can you give to you?
Some ideas if you are struggling:
-a cup of coffee or tea
-a walk in nature
-an art activity
-a tv show or movie with a cozy blanket
-a bubble bath or nice hot shower, uninterrupted
-delegate a chore to someone you usually do
-call a friend
-connect with a therapist
-gardening
-listen to some music
You give to others all week long, it is time to give to yourself, too!
Burnout in ECE Education: Self-Care in a Caring Profession
Is a 3-hour, self-paced (do in your own time) workshop I created for YOU.
Is always 50% off. Forever. Because I know what it is like to be chronically BURNT OUT! Like, so far burnt out!
Have I told you that a few years back I was at the most burnt out I have ever been? Between working 8-10 hour days as an ECE (in a toxic work environment), then home to 2 children (at the time) and a failing marriage, and a move to a new home. My mom became ill, then moved in with me. I became her full time caregiver (while still working fulltime) for years (she is doing much better now - still living with me)... and a full time caregiver for my adult sister with special needs (now in a Home Share), then slammed with a breast cancer scare (which was benign!) and my son had suspected lymphoma (turned out to be Epstein-Barr virus... did you know that the symptoms for both are almost identical in a 3 year old?). The a divorce, - oh yeah, and a global pandemic.... Seriously life was so overwhelming all of the sudden for me.
I quit my job and opened my own In-Home Multi-Age program, but I developed TMJ pain that is still persistent to this day. I didn't sleep, I no longer enjoyed my work, lost a lot of hair, and became quite sick - from years of accumulated stress and burnout.
I wish I had others to talk to, to have a village of support, but I didn't/ I felt alone, unsupported, and overwhelmed by work and life.
I had WAY too much on my plate! The waves kept crashing. I lost most friends - I had no time to reach out, but also lost some great people through my divorce. No energy to connect, no time, and not many actually reached out to see how I was doing.
I took a step back one day when at my worst. I got into a great therapist, returned to school to get my bachelors of child and youth care, and learned so much about BURNOUT. I even obtained a Compassion Fatigue Counseling Certificate.
That's where I created this 3-hour workshop for others. If you feel stressed, near or fully submerged in burnout, please consider taking my workshop. It is full of work/life balance tips and resources to help you gain your life back, and find your joy!
Find Burnout in ECE Education: Self-Care in a Caring Profession here:
About Me
I am a diploma ECE/IT/SN educator for 25 years, with a diploma as an Education Assistant and a degree in Child and Youth Care, and a minor in counseling. I am a trained Compassion Fatigue Coach, too! I wish to make pro-d for educators by an educator who understands the career journey, the struggles, the successes, the burnout, the love of child development, and so much more.
Best Wishes Educators!
Michelle Bergen Proctor of At Play Professional Development
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