Overwhelmed?
Most of us know the definition of overwhelm.
Most of us, who will admit it, have experienced the feelings of overwhelm.
This word, OVERWHELMED, is probably one of the most common words teachers use to describe teaching today.
Teachers are overwhelmed.
Students are overwhelmed.
Administrators are overwhelmed.
Parents are overwhelmed.
The etymology of the word overwhelmed is from Old English overwhelmen
over = to turn upside down + whelmen = to submerge completely
Yep, that pretty much describes life in the classroom today.
Everyone and everything seems turned upside down, and life as we know it in the classroom will never be the same, especially since the pandemic.
AND, everyone feels like they are submerged and drowning and not even treading water anymore.
etymonline.com states that “perhaps the connecting notion of being overwhelmed is a boat, etc., washed over, and overset, by a big wave. In a figurative sense of ‘to bring to ruin’ is attested from 1520s.”
I’m getting a visual…stormy, rough seas, small boat, alone and adrift with little to no crew to help keep the boat upright, a big wave of walking the plank-jumping ship-betrayal-mutiny, the feeling of being in the doldrums with no breath of inspiration or compass of hope to guide us safely and surely to our destination.
How do we keep from getting overwhelmed by everything going on outside of the classroom and outside of ourselves?
How do we navigate the stormy seas of teaching (and life)?
What can we do about the tsunami that keeps us submerged with feelings of drowning and gasping for air or the feelings of abandoning ship or the feelings of mutiny and betrayal that can come up in our daily interactions with students, colleagues, admin and especially with parents?
Extending the metaphor a little further about a tsunami, stormy seas, rough waters, etc., we can reframe and reset our nervous system with just a few strategies:
#1 – Remember that it will end and not be forever. Seas are not always rough and storms, even tsunamis and hurricanes, dissipate eventually. Smooth waters, sunshine and light will return. AND, there is always a rainbow to enjoy at the end of every storm!
#2 – Hang on and tap into the calm that is in the bottom of that deep blue ocean called YOU. The storm and rough seas are only at the surface, but go far enough below the surface, and all is calm, peaceful and serene. Do deep breathing, meditate, tap, ground yourself by taking a walk around the classroom and tap into the good you see and feel.
#3 – Let go of the wheel and let someone else navigate and take the helm. It could lead to adventure and perhaps an island of paradise! Be flexible, curious and open to all possible routes, courses and conditions.
#4 – Once you feel balanced, righted and on course again, celebrate and congratulate yourself on weathering the storm of emotions that came up during the stormy event. Look into the calm waters and see the reflection of who you really are and how you really want to show up in the world.
#5 – Keep sailing and learning how to become a Master and Commander of your own ship. Practice self-care and self-love. Teachers give so much of themselves to others, and it is easy to get overwhelmed when we are not tending to our own needs, hopes and dreams instead of always fulfilling that of others. Course correct, as needed, and don’t resist the winds of life that are pushing you in a certain direction. Listen to your heart!
#6 – Shine your light on the world like a beacon of hope and a lighthouse of refuge for others who are weathering their own storms. When we help others, especially children, we heal ourselves.
Photo credit:
“Calusd Carl -Armenian 1860 -Rowing boat on stormy sea” by wl.glazewski is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.
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