2022 #OneWord

 I have been thinking on my 2022 one word for quite a while.  Usually words come to me rather quickly. Last year, recenter, was almost instantaneous... but this year I struggled, so I decided to just do a brain dump...

As I brainstormed, there were so many words that came to mind, some of which included:

• enrich
• learn
• expand
• selfish

I really reflected upon what these words had in common.  The last one, especially, since it was really unexpected. I am not a selfish person by nature. I have always thought of myself as an everyone-else-first kind of person. So I was a little shocked when this word came to mind. 

It has been a long year. for everyone. I and I mean everyone. Teachers, students, staff members, parents, flight attendants, the medical community... everyone has been overwhelmed... Even that group of people that you think are doing really well. They aren't. They're struggling.

2020 was a horror movie. 2021 was the sequel to the horror movie. And we all know there is not a single horror film where the sequel was better than the original. 

Possible consideration for...

Still, what did my brainstorming mean?  Finally I saw the connections and a word came to me that encapsulated what I needed.

Control

2021 was out of control. As much as I tried to (and successfully did) recenter many aspects of my life including family, friendships, and running, I didn't have control over so many other aspects.  The problem was that I didn't realize (or want to admit) there were hundreds...thousands...millions of things OUT of my control... but I still wanted to control them. How many students were in class... Who was out sick... If classes were virtual, in person, or some hybrid plan. If friends or colleagues wanted to talk. or text. or video call.  I had control over none of these things, yet I wanted control over all of them.  

When I reflected over what I needed... it was control. Not control over things that I didn't have power over, but control over things I did. Control over my emotions. I'd lost that in 2021. In 2022, I will focus on what I can control:

• I can control my actions.
• I can control how I treat others. 
• I can control my responses. 
• I can control what time I go to sleep. What I eat. What I watch. 
• I can control my effort. 

2022 is all about controlling what I can control... and doing my best to let go of things that I can't.  

I don't think it will be easy. I am, by nature, a pretty anxious person. The past two years have not helped this part of my personality.

But how I respond to situations is within my control. And 2022 will be about regaining that control. 

2021 One Word

 With 2020 coming to an end, lots of emotions come flooding to my mind, body, and soul.  It was a wild year for everyone with events and outcomes nobody could have predicted. My world, along with so many other people, was turned upside down and inside out. 

So as I was reflecting on my 2021 word, one came to mind rather quickly. 

Recenter (should I hyphenate that? Maybe? It is my word, so I'm going with it 😋)

I need to recenter my world.  Last year norms were shifted, relationships were impacted, digital time exploded exponentially... I, like so many others, was trying to reinvent normal without knowing what normal was. It led me to having more anxious days and nights, lower self-esteem and self-confidence, and an overall feeling of helplessness.

That isn't who I am.  So in 2021 I will recenter my world.

Professionally

As an educator I have never felt more lost, scattered, and yet supported than this year. I'm blessed to be part of a wonderful professional community, both in my school placement as well as in the twitterverse. 

My goal here is to recenter my support to others. I'm the math department chair / coach at my school. Over break I created some ideas to share with my colleagues and will offer them weekly as ways for students to do quick (5 to 10 minute) reviews of previously learned concepts so students continue to feel successful with current and previously presented material.  

As many of you know I have a first-year co-teacher this year. It has been a wonderful experience. I really enjoy the mentor role and also get excited to learn from her as well. I'm truly looking forward to the second half of the year and hope to continue to guide and push her in her rookie year!

I also know I need to blog more. I pressure myself into a blog-post-a-week schedule.  This, I've learned, is not reasonable and leads me to feeling helpless about being successful. Once-a-month, however, is well within reason. One lesson, one activity, one experience that I had as a teacher that I can share with the world. And have the courage to know that it may help another educator... 

Personally

I spent lots of time running. LOTS of time - more miles in 2020 than ever before. 2020 was supposed to be a banner year for me for events. I was scheduled to run my first 50 mile / 50k event(81 miles total) and my first 100 miler.  Unfortunately both events were cancelled... no. not cancelled. postponed. They are both scheduled to happen this year. However I fell off the training plans when I learned they were not going to occur. 

This year I am training for those two events even if the actual events do not occur. In June I'll run my 50/50. In October I'll go for my first 100 miler. 

Mentally / Emotionally

I know this is where I struggled most in 2020. I also know there are things I can do to recenter. I set a goal to read 30 books this year. Last year I read about that many, but most were during the lock down when I was literally not able to do much else. I also read a number of books that were re-reads for me. I'm going to dedicate time most evenings to getting off the screens, away from the apps, and getting back into a book. 

I have a couple of books lined up, but if you have any good book recommendations, please comment them below!

I've also set a goal to create a couple of playlists on spotify to help me when I'm having those tough mental moments. Music truly helps my emotional balance, and the right songs can help sway me back to my center.  

I'd also love to get into yoga, meditation, or other mindfulness activities. I've never been successful with these in the past, so if you have any suggestions, I'd appreciate it.

As we all embark on 2021, I want to wish all of you a healthy, happy, and safe new year.  Look for the blessings where they are, find hope and joy in each day, and please reach out if you need anything!