An honest post to the teacher blogging community...

I don't know about you, but my brain never shuts off when it comes to teaching.  I'm always thinking how I can make things more efficient, coming up with new to do lists, and thinking up with ways I can use things from the Dollar Spot at Target, in my classroom.  I'm thinking of blog posts and taking a million photos.  I'm planning teacher meet ups and connecting with other teachings in the bazillion teacher Facebook groups that I'm part of.  It's really, really hard for me to shut the teaching side of my brain off and relax.

This brings me to something that has really stood out for me last summer.  It has been so much harder to shut it off because of social media.  While I'm so grateful for all of the collaborating that goes on during the school year thanks to Instagram, blogs, and Facebook, I really wish that I saw more posts of teachers having fun instead of working on creating new products, prepping for back to school (come on, school just got out!!!), and shopping for next year.  It makes me proud to see how dedicated you are, but it makes me sad too because you deserve a break.  I just hope you're not missing out on some memory makers.  You know I've posted a few from-the- heart posts about how difficult it is to find balance in this teaching world. I know that as teachers, we're planners and have a to-do list that's a mile long.  I get it, trust me.  And this is my no means passing any judgement, but I wish as a teacher community, we could let up just a bit and take a break.

My newsfeed of all of the product creation posts and DIY photos of classroom prep. is putting pressure on me.  I know it's not intentional and I'm guilty posting a few photos too, but it makes me feel guilty when I spend the day at the beach instead of creating products or participating in a blogger link up.  Then I tell myself that it's ok.  Shoot, I just worked my booty off for the last ten months so it's ok to give myself a break and I don't need to feel bad about it.

But remember this friends, there will always be things to cross of your list.  You and I know that a teacher's work is never done.  But it's summer and this is your time to decompress, relax, and tune out for a bit.  You have worked so very hard the past ten months.  You've stayed up late creating amazing lessons, you've spent your hard-earned money buying snacks and materials to make lessons more engaging, and you've spent your evenings and weekends thinking about teaching for the last 10 months.

I challenge you to turn off your teacher brain, put down your computer, and be in the moment.  It's summer, time to sleep in and stay up late.  Run in the sprinklers, get some frozen  yogurt, bbq in your backyard with your family and play some board games.  Be touristy and explore your town.  Catch up on your favorite shows and don't feel guilty about it.  Take a day trip.  Lounge around the house and be comfortable with doing nothing.  Enjoy the giggles of your kids and the company of your family.

While I'm guilty of posting teacher-related things on social media this summer, I want to apologize for adding to the pressure that you may feel.

Make memories and look back on this summer as a great one.  Are you going to remember this summer as one spent on your computer or as one living in the moment?  Join me in posting some of your summer fun for a week and use this image!  Make sure to tag me @easyteachingtools so I can be inspired by your awesome fun! My hopes is that social media will be flooded with some memories and less of teacher-stuff.