Leading schools today is taxing. The pressures are unrelenting, expectations are growing, and stakes are high. Here at Partners, we are committed to sustainability, not just for our school systems, but for the leaders caring for them.
We asked the Partners team, “What do you do to support your own well-being?” Here is what we heard.
Betty Feser
- I walk at least five days a week, keeping a good pace. I make myself take note of the trees, the sky, and the clouds.
- I also permit myself to take a short nap when needed.
- Lastly, when I go to bed, I read. Sometimes I read three pages; sometimes, I read for 30 minutes. It’s always a book unrelated to work that pulls me into the story and characters.
Eileen Howley
Self-reflection is one of the most powerful sources of self-care. Some favorite sources are Mark Nepo’s The Book of Awakening: Having the Life You Want by Being Present to the Life You Have, which provides daily readings that encourage meditation and self-reflection. I also like many books by Ken Wilber, like Integral Meditation and Integral Transformative Practice and his audio, The One Two Three of God, which is one of the most powerful meditations I’ve used to help me address issues of stress and pain. Lastly, I recommend The I Ching or Book of Changes: A Guide to Life’s Turning Points, by Brian Browne Walker; this is a powerful source for self-reflection when facing key changes in life.
Richard Lemons
To practice self-care, I’ve recently made some significant shifts.
- The first shift is the reduced consumption of polarized news media. Instead, I’ve been filling that void with comedy-based podcasts and character-driven novels.
- Second, I’ve focused on investing time in curating joyful and meaningful experiences with family and friends.
- Third, I’ve been seeking out live music. After putting off concerts for years, I’m investing in my love of music and the specialness of attending live music with other fans.
- Finally, I’ve worked on developing better eating and sleeping habits, which is always tricky, given my frequent travel.
Kerry Lord
I find myself taking a forest bath to get grounded and remind myself that I am a part of something much bigger than what is captured in the daily headlines. When I am walking, my mind clears, and when I am still, I am surrounded by another series of lives that are not easily seen when I am in motion. It is humbling. I have other rituals as well, like doing yoga to remind me to breathe and visiting a gallery space to surround myself with other ways of seeing the world. But it’s the forest bath that feels most restorative.
Tisha Markette
Self–care is a nice long walk with the sun shining on my face, a lounge chair at the shore, listening to the waves, a line dancing class with amazing people, and a nice cranial and back massage.
Bridget Nahabedian
For self-care, I love immersing myself in nature, whether walking through my neighborhood or hiking through the woods. Spending time outdoors, especially when the sun is shining, recharges my body and helps me recenter my thoughts. I also enjoy reading or listening to books and working on crochet projects. The repetitive motion of crocheting brings me peace and relaxation.
Patrice Nelson
No surprise, nature soothes and heals stress, tension, and almost all that ails the spirit. At least that is the case for me, specifically, being very conscious of the nature around me on walks and drives. Most recently, I’ve been charmed out of worries about the state of the world by the magnificence of the “Beaver Moon,” a beautiful young possum parked and unmoving in my front yard for a good part of the night, and the crunching sound I hear when walking through mounds of dry maple leaves.
Amber Ortiz
When I’m stressed, I tend to overthink everything, so my method for self-care is crocheting! When I crochet, I have to focus on what I am doing, and I don’t have the mental capacity to worry about anything else. It gives me the ability to take myself out of my brain and release stress. Plus, when I’m done, I get a sense of satisfaction with whatever project I’m working on. My latest obsession for crocheting has been these cute little snowmen and Christmas trees!
Jo-Ann Rogers
Sewing is a soothing task that helps me wind down after a busy day. The repetition of stitching is meditative, encourages relaxation, and is a peaceful transition into the night. It’s the perfect way to decompress before bed.
Kath Serino
For me, “self” care also involves caring for the environment and others, which provides me with a sense of being grounded, connected, and happy. I derive great joy from recycling, reusing, and composting. Caring for others includes looking at people, smiling, noticing, and listening carefully. For myself, I cultivate a sense of humor and playfulness. I spend time outside every single day and bring awareness to my breath.
Isobel Stevenson
- Focus on the part you can control.
- A big part of your mental health is your physical health.
- Don’t catastrophize.
- Take care of others.
- Do things that make you feel good.
- Practice gratitude.
We encourage you to take stock of what nurtures and sustains you and carve out time for those experiences and practices.
