How to Deal with Schedule Overload [3 Strategies to Prune Your Schedule]
In my previous post, I talked about how important it is to prioritize self-care as a teacher. Now it’s time to discuss specific strategies you can use to take care of yourself!
As I discussed before, it is so easy for many of us to stretch ourselves too thin by trying to be all things to all people. This happens at school when we say yes to running a club, coaching a sports team, and joining a committee.
It can also be true in our personal lives when we sign up to be team mom for our child’s sports team, agree to lead a bible study or book club, and sign up to make a meal for a new mom when we can hardly get food together for our own families.
While each of these things can be great – individually, when we add everything up, our schedules (and mental health) get overwhelmed!
If this sounds like you, it’s time to prune your schedule.
Pare Down Your Schedule or Drink More Coffee
Time to Prune
If you are feeling overwhelmed, especially with schedule overload, the most natural thing you can do is prune your schedule. (Pro Tip: Drinking more coffee is not the answer.)
It may seem like everything you have on your plate is just as important as the next and that you can’t possibly give anything up. I know it may feel that way, but what you are giving up is your mental health, a peaceful life, balance, and time with your family.
Lose the Extracurriculars, Gain Your Sanity
Do you have your children signed up for extracurricular activities? If so, how many nights per week does someone in your family have a sports practice, art lessons, taekwondo, a piano recital, youth group, or choir?
What Do You Prune from Your Schedule?
Yes, it is important that your children are well-rounded and are given opportunities to develop their skills, but not if the cost is your sanity (as well as your family’s).
Too often, our schedules are overloaded with things to do after school gets out. The benefit to pruning your schedule is that helps alleviate schedule overload, and it frees up your time to relax, enjoy your family, and get caught up around the house.
If you’re in the middle of a season of extracurricular activities, consider waiting until the end of the season and choosing to sign up for fewer activities the next trimester. If you are completely swamped and can’t handle it for another week, give yourself permission to quit a handful of activities in the middle of the season.
You and your family will be okay.
What Self-Care Strategies Do You Need to Give Yourself Permission to Do?
Schedule Down Time
After you pare down your schedule, it is easy to go right back to schedule overload.
To avoid this, schedule down time into your calendar.
If you substitute some of the extracurricular activities that you cut for a family game night, family cooking night, or an occasional weekend camping trip, your family will grow closer, have more fond memories, and feel less stressed out.
If losing out on time with friends is an issue, let your kids invite their friends to join you. You can also invite another couple or family along for the ride.
Personally, some of my best memories are the times I spent with my family. I remember going on bike rides in the evenings, playing soccer in the backyard, and playing board games much more fondly than I remember piano lessons and soccer practice.
To start, I challenge you to choose one night per week to make your “family night.” If your kids are hesitant, let them have a say in what you do at home as a family. Just make sure to block out some time in your week to take a break and relax.
It won’t happen unless you make it a priority!
Ways to Say "No"
Just Say “No”
Another way to fight against schedule overload is to just say “no.”
Sometimes, it feels like everyone needs something from you. Your principal needs you to help out at the talent show, and they tell you that you’re the perfect person for the job.
Your friend is having an MLM party. She’s just starting out, and you really want to support her.
Maybe your child’s teacher desperately needs someone to chaperone a field trip.
Individually, these requests may seem reasonable. Depending on your personality, you may have a difficult time saying no to someone who is counting on you.
It is not your responsibility.
It’s not your job. You’re not the only one who can do it. You have no obligation.
Of course, it’s a great thing to help out – when you can. But if signing up for one more thing is going to make you lose your mind or stress you out, don’t do it!
Understand your limits and stop maxing out your schedule. The world will not end because you choose to have healthy boundaries.
Learn to say no.
Your Mental Health Impacts Others
Remember that your mental health and stress level impacts the people around you.
Fight against schedule overload for your own sake, to destress and take care of your mental health. Additionally, do it for the sake of your students and family - to bring peace to your classroom and home.