It’s the end of Week 7 of remote learning and I’m starting to feel the isolation even more isolating. We’re getting into our routines of remote learning, we have a pattern going, we’re in a flow. While I still connect with my colleagues regularly, it’s not close to the amount I was when we first started this journey together. We’ve been adapting to our new classroom environments and it just doesn’t seem like we need each other as much. Or maybe, most likely, it’s that we’ve become overwhelmed by the need to support our students that we have once again forgotten to take care of ourselves too.
I don’t know about you, but as much connecting with colleagues is in efforts to plan and to work together in developing online lessons, my connecting is also about taking care of my mental health. I have a very supportive family and I can talk to them about everything, but, there are just somethings they don’t quite get. That’s why it’s so important to me to find somewhere I can not only share my thoughts and feelings, but be understood. Truly understood, by someone else who is sharing the experience alongside me.
I don’t know about you, but as much connecting with colleagues is in efforts to plan and to work together in developing online lessons, my connecting is also about taking care of my mental health. I have a very supportive family and I can talk to them about everything, but, there are just somethings they don’t quite get. That’s why it’s so important to me to find somewhere I can not only share my thoughts and feelings, but be understood. Truly understood, by someone else who is sharing the experience alongside me.
Making time for me
I decided for my mental health that I needed to carve time out for myself. A time that was just for me, that would allow me to step away from the screens, from the stress of teaching remotely, and from the uncertainty. What was I going to do? I’m not a cup of wine in the bathtub kind of person. I could binge the latest Netflix series, but that wouldn’t get me away from the screen. I could go for a walk, but, I’ve most likely taken one earlier with my daughter. So, it was time with my houseplants.
My Houseplants
To preface, I had 7 plants in my classroom over Spring Break. I couldn’t tell you how much I thought of them and worried about them dying. Yes, I know they’re just plants, but I’ve had them for a few years and brought them through trying times of dealing with pests and managed to keep them all healthy. As time passed, I worried about their condition and their need for water. I wondered if they’d be alive when I was able to get to them. Well, 6 made it. My coffee plant did not. As soon as we were allowed to schedule a time to go into school and collect the belongings we’d need for teaching online I was there. Yes, I grabbed my books and other things I’d need. But, my top priority was my plants. Did you know you could order plants online? Well, you can. Needless to say, my houseplant collection has significantly grown since physical distancing began. I went from 7 in the classroom and 6 at home, to a total of 27. I’ve even started propagating three of them, literally breathing new life into my plants. Who knew you didn’t have to buy plants, but that you could grow your own from the ones you already own? | Just one of my deliveries. |
THeir Beauty
While I believe all 27 of my plants and their babies (my propagations) are beautiful, I didn’t just consider them to be some green decoration that adorned by shelves. As the plants began to become take over my home, I became more attuned with each of their individual personalities and their individual needs. Much like we do as teachers with our students. Each one needs a little something different from me, I had to learn when to feed them, water them, prune them, and I had to learn when I had to leave them to their own devices. Especially Flame, my Croton (yes, I’ve named my plants). I’ve apologized to him many times for having him on the shelf in my classroom being knocked constantly, not realizing until how sensitive he is to constant movement. He prefers to be left alone).
It’s their uniqueness in appearances and needs that make them beautiful, they truly represent life and all of our diverse needs. Once I think I’ve figured out one of my plants, something changes and they demand something different than before. Take Ellie, one of my orchids. She seemed to be doing fine, she was still living, but she was just dormant, she hadn’t shown any new life in nearly a year. Well, with a little extra love and care, taking away her potting medium, I could see some of her roots were rotting. She needed my help. So, that’s what I did, I helped her. By cutting away the rotten roots and moving her to full water culture I was able to give her what she needed. A fresh start. Only 4 short weeks later Ellie started breathing new life and producing a new leaf. |
With love and care the plants grow and show their beauty. With each unfurling leaf comes new life. But, the true beauty in plants is to appreciate their imperfections. Recognizing that a burnt leaf, from being a little to close to the window, tells a story that is equally important as the story the new bloom of the orchid can tell.
Ultimately, it comes down to find something for you. What can you do to rejuvenate yourself?
What is it that can breathe new life into you?
What is it that can breathe new life into you?
- D'Alice