Navigating Back-to-School Mixed Emotions As a Tutor
As an education-based business owner, when you see teachers heading back to the classroom at the start of a new school year, do you find yourself experiencing mixed emotions? These back-to-school mixed emotions are not uncommon for tutors!
Sure, you love what you do, but you also feel that pang of sadness as you scroll social media and see all the teachers setting up their classrooms and getting ready for the first day of school. This can especially be true if you just took the leap to go full-time in your business and you’re coming up on your first back-to-school season where you’re not headed back to school, too.
You are in a different season of your career now and that might come with some different feelings like loneliness or relief – whatever it is, there’s a wide range of emotions you may be experiencing.
So, if you’re stuck in your feelings at the moment, know that you’re not alone, but also, consider trying some new things to get you out of your funk!
If you’re experiencing the rollercoaster of back-to-school mixed emotions, Here are six things you can do to balance and embrace your feelings:
1. Acknowledge your feelings.
Take a few minutes to sit with your feelings. Acknowledge them and consider what it is that is making you feel sad, lonely, or like you’re missing out. Let yourself sit with the feelings and make space for them.
2. Write it all down.
Once you acknowledge the feelings you are experiencing, journal about it. Write those feelings down and let them out. Write about what you would have been doing in the classroom, what you’re doing now, and how you feel about that.
3. Allow yourself to mourn.
Sure there are many things you did as a teacher that you loved that you can still do as a tutor. But, there may be things that you did as a teacher that you loved that now you might not be able to do, like singing or craft projects. Allow yourself to mourn the loss of those much-loved activities.
4. Think about ways you might still be able to do those things.
Just because you’re running your own business now, doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to still do some of those things. Maybe you can figure out ways to do them with your tutoring students. Or, maybe you can volunteer to help in a classroom during holiday celebrations or to read seasonal books and do an art project. You can still find ways to experience those things you love!
For more ideas, read 5 POWERFUL WAYS TO BUILD YOUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH!
5. Find a community to connect with.
One thing many tutors find themselves missing is the community and connection they feel with other teachers. It can be hard not to have a teacher bestie in the classroom just next door.
Need help finding an online community? Check out 4 THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN AN ONLINE COMMUNITY or watch Why You NEED a Community!
Look for online communities with co-working sessions that you can participate in virtually. And, if you miss the in-person connection, look into local business get-togethers. Look into the various ways you can get those needs met.
6. Get out there and have some fun!
We can get into a funk where we’re only looking at what we’re losing or missing out on. Instead, challenge yourself to look at what you can do! It can be so much fun to make a list of all of those things you can do now with your flexible schedule, then start checking them off your list!
However you’re feeling, give those back-to-school mixed emotions some space and allow yourself to feel them.
If you’re looking for community and connection, Check Out Our Membership Just For Tutors!
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