'D' - Finally...

I struggled for quite some time with what to do for 'd.'  I had several different ideas, including 'dreams' and 'discovery,' but nothing quite inspired me to write - until today. 

Like everyone else I know, I feel like life is ridiculously busy; this isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it just tends to get frenetic.  I think this is a by-product of society and the lives we lead.  It is true that we often make ourselves busy - however, I am trying to make a point in a very round-about way.  People.  Are.  Busy.  This leads me to my choice for 'd.'  (Which I will get to, but also in a round-about way.)

Today, after a fairly standard day at work,  I sat down and thought.  I thought about the planning that I should do for next week; the marking that needs to be done; the shopping I'd like to do; how very tired I was feeling; and my various commitments and plans for the weekend.  But then something happened.  I stopped.  I stopped and took some downtime.

It was delicious!  Katy (my lovely new co-teacher) and I sat there, chatting and worked on our scrapbook pages for a couple of hours.  At the start of every school year, the students in our class make a scrapbook page with a different genre poem about themselves and a photo and their own 'unique' touches.  Each and every year, I say that it'd be nice to make one and I never get around to it.  Ever.  This year, Katy started making one.  There she was, pottering away, putting together her page, as I watched - mildly puzzled and perplexed.  I mean, how did she manage to sort herself out and find a chance to sit down and do her page?  She's only been in class for a couple of weeks - I've been here for years, so what was my issue??   My issue was that I didn't think my downtime was as important as everything else that had to be done.  I admit it - I was a bit envious.  So I did it too.  After two hours of stories, chatter, and a bit of giggling we were done. 

We're both looking forward to our students' reactions tomorrow when they see our pages in amongst their own. 

I had an awesome time.  I've been a bit grumpy for the last few days (Phill may say somewhat more than just 'a bit'), but today I felt happy.  I felt awake.  I felt rejuvenated.  I came home in a fantastic mood (which has lasted all evening long.)  It is absolutely amazing what taking some time out for yourself will do for your overall well being. 

Don't underestimate what taking a bit of downtime can do for you... and thank you, Katy, for helping me to stop and remember how important it really is.