New Year! New Me!

2021…. The year following the pandemic year. How can we make this year better than all the others? I really didn’t think of any New Year’s resolutions since I was just recovering from my tonsillectomy, but thought let me just be a better version of myself for 2021.

Focus on ME and my HEALTH

I’ve always struggled with anxiety, but after the birth of my son the anxiety got a little worse, and I was recently diagnosed with PMDD as well as situational anxiety. Also, anxiety depression runs in both sides of my family. Thanks mom and dad! My sister and I decided we needed to focus on our health and just take a few minutes to walk together after school. She is a teacher and has a son as well, so we came up with walking three days a week with the boys. We were great the first week, but then it got SUPER cold for south Louisiana. I am certain we will resume very soon.

I always enjoyed morning devotionals, Jesus Calling, etc. but I never made the time to start my day with them after I had my baby boy. After my father passed away, I had a Jesus calling book focused on peace. I would read it every morning after I woke up before I got dressed. Since this was a new year, I figured if I wake up early enough to a quiet house I might as well take advantage and do some light reading to start my day on the right foot.

Get Organized

I saw a post about a home planner (daily checklist for your home, family, and finances) through Passionate Penny Pincher Instagram. It arrived right before the new year and I got busy adding in all the details.  I always loved having a planner, but I struggle because I have one for school/work and I use Google Calendar/paper calendar for everything.

This planner was a little different for several reasons.

Here are the reasons: 

• Cleaning tips (with a checklist when to do them) 

• Budget/financial organizer 

• Month, but always a weekly/daily view 

• Fun stickers 

• Goal page for every month 

And the list goes on… 

Focus on Others

I love random acts of kindness; therefore, I thought about focusing on others. During the month of December, two of my close teacher friends had babies. I remembered what it was like being a new mom and decided to bring dinner for the parents and then donuts for the siblings the next morning. I had a creative idea for the donuts. I even decided to bring some to our awesome daycare where Baby B is learning so much on a daily basis!  Landry’s Donut and Company in Scott is the best!

Mrs. Chustz’s Store (Classroom Idea for Behavior/Management) 

After one whole teaching year at a new school and surviving teaching online from March-May, I thought long and hard about new things for my classroom and students. I had an idea and not sure if it would be successful or not, but I decided to give it a go. 

After I created my clip chart and my teacher partner ordered stamps from Amazon, I decided to set some routines and procedures in place to open Mrs. Chustz Store every Friday after we pack up. In order to shop, the students have to get a smiley face (Green or blue) every day. If they have one straight or sad (yellow or red) throughout the week, they do not get to go shopping.

Basically, the store has little trinkets and treasures that are SUPER CHEAP! Like Dollar Tree, Target $1 spot, and donations from students (usually McDonald’s toys) they do not want anymore. Here are some ideas to get you started: 

• Amazon 200 pack 

• Target Party Favors 

• Dollar Tree Ideas 

My students, first graders, are SOOOOOO excited to go shopping every week. They pretend their smileys are their own money. After they pack up, they are allowed to go browse the shop and find the item(s) of their choice. If they have a super good week, they can get an extra prize. They bring me the prize so I can “check them out.” 

Never thought something so small can make a huge impact, but it does! I am not sure why I did not think of this idea sooner. 

Cherish the time with Family

I was always one that focused on my family and enjoyed family time, but my work ethic got in the way. I am just like my dad. We both love to work, but sometimes have a hard time turning off work to focus on our self or family. As a teacher, our income is limited so I always tutored after school. After a meeting with my principal, I realized that I am doing way too much for others at work and school and not enough at home for my husband and child. I would get home, tired and exhausted and neglect some of my home and mother duties. In just two short weeks of no tutoring after school, I am happy and present with my family despite the less income. I think this change was much needed especially if we are thinking about Bebe number 2 in the future. 

What are your goals for 2021?

Any new life changes?

Or you just want to survive after 2020? LOL! 

Have a wonderful year, 

AFTM 

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