Wellbeing
It’s a pirate’s life for me...
I thought I’d chime in to congratulate you all (You are amazing! Thank you for being inspirational! I can’t wait to see you all next year!!!) on making it through 2020 (almost) and give you some thoughts to ponder on your very well-deserved summer break.
As far as I can gather, this year was a test.
A test for the ages. A tough pop quiz on how we as individuals and as a whole community can handle uncertainty and fear. This great test of life is never really over, but there are times when we can take a break from the testing and look at the results. I feel like there are lots of lessons we could take out of this experience. I would summarise them as the need to remind ourselves of the importance of wellbeing, to build, be ever mindful of the three most important Rs in education (and education is learning, and learning never stops, so therefore the most important Rs in life really). The three Rs: Respiration, Resilience and Reflection.
Respiration: Knowing when to stop, pause, breathe, and refocus our attention to whatever is at the top of our triaged priority list. The simple act of one conscious breath is all it can take to feel better. Knowing how to breathe correctly seems absurd, however, for the right circumstance, there is always a better way to breathe…
Resilience: The metaphysical shield we wear is only as strong as we make it. Ensuring we have enough sleep/rest, staying on top of our nutrition, and ensuring we stay physically active on a daily basis lay the foundations. Beyond this, it is important to work on our ability to connect within our networks, express yourself safely, and strive to remain in wonder of the never-ending adventure within which we find ourselves, with a smile of course J.
Rights, Resilience and Respectful Relationships government program
5 science backed strategies to build resilience - Berkeley
Reflection: Without taking the time to assess what has occurred with a critical yet constructive lens we are bound to repeat the same lessons. Lest we forget 2020 until we need to. When the lessons are learnt then we can turn to the next page and begin anew. Until that time, I implore you to take some time out to ask yourself some questions, listen to and explore the responses, and then work out how you can integrate any of these further into your life. I know I will be… (Reflection is my favourite).
How pandemics change history - New Yorker
Victorian Education Department program for families - SAFEMinds: AT HOME
Self-Awareness: The Key to Taking Care of Your Mental Health and Wellbeing
Defining reflection - Carol Rodgers
I urge you to actually look at these resources above. I wouldn’t put them in if I didn’t think they would be helpful.
Here is a potential line of questioning that might come in handy…
How have things changed? How have you gone through these changes? Who have you sought support from? What support did you need? How are your resilience levels? How are your energy levels? What would you do differently with what you know now? What will you do differently moving forward? Have you acknowledged your achievement of making it this far? (Go You!) How will you celebrate your success?
So, what do you need right now? What more do you have to do to be able to rest? What do you need to complete or achieve before you can have the most deserved rest you are likely to have had before? How can you break down these steps to ensure there is a process and structure and plan that you can follow to make sure this is achieved?
What will resting look like? Will it be feet up watching the rugrats/guardians do their thing? Will it be a camping trip to the middle of nowhere? Will it be surrounding yourself with family and friends and frivolity? Will it be immersion in technology and all the riches screens have to offer? Will this be a default relaxation mode? Is this something that I actually want? Is this something that I actually need? Hmmmmm…
Stop. Breathe…slowly…
What do I actually need? What do I need to be the best version of myself? I wonder…
Now what…? Oh wait. Its holidays! I guess all you really need to do is rest and enjoy. I hope you can find some time to do so. You really have earned it.
So, as the sun sets on this year I hope you can rest well, safe in the knowledge that the sunrise will bring with it the hope and promise of an enriched experience we can all look forward to building together.
Charlie and I will see you in the sun on the other side… as pirates.
Amir Tatai
Wellbeing Coordinator
amir.tatai@preshil.vic.edu.au