Having now tried out the nine suggested formats to write our journals (based on frameworks from Nola, Reid and Moon), I have now been able to reflect on them. Looking forward to sharing comments!
Hi Sarah. Glad to see that you are getting on well with the journal writing. I find it interesting that the graphs are working for you. That is the one format I found really odd and completely useless for me. As the graph shows your peak stress level at 12pm perhaps you could now use this to work out what it is that is making you stressed and prepare for it to see if you can bring it down? Let me know if you manage it and how. It is also interesting that I found listography.com extremely bizarre. I didn't know where to start, but I might go and have another look at it now. It has occurred to me that perhaps I am nervous about what I will discover. I also found myself leaving parts of my day our of the journal, partly because I didn't want to remember it and partly because even though I know no one else is going to read it I still felt inhibited. I did eventually let go of that. I hope you can too.
Hi Sarah. I love your graphs, its nice to see the same technique working for someone else too. I found that the Another view was a great way to step out of situations and see them for what they really are which is exactly what you have managed to achieve. Maybe you could post an extract! You obviously struggled with what if, which is completely understandable because all ideas don't suit everyone, but perhaps you could give it another go on a day that didn't go so well to start you off. It's easier to improve situations by imagining what could have happened that way. For example, you missed an audition, so if only you didn't miss the bus. Or I made it to the audition - if I had missed the bus.... It's one of the techniques I struggled with and this concept worked for me. Keep up the enthusiasm!!
I found your post very interesting. Especially the graphs. You took great time and patience in getting the results, you discovered your stress levels at certain times. That took alot of organisation and time and precision. You also organised a time management plan. That is very well done! I can't help myself but give you advice.. Are you eating enough of the right foods? You may need to look at your diet if you are getting so tired at 12 pm? You may also need some help with the classes before noon. If there is a theme that keeps reoccurring ask for help from you and advice. Hopefully the school will support you. I had difficulties with behaviour in certain classes, I was afraid to loose control of the children. I requested help and was observed and discovered that certain areas of teaching needed attention and was given techniques to try. It helped considerably. Have the graphs and lists, highlighted less important tasks to get concerned about? I decided not to write 'Another View' from the point of view with an inannimate object, it seemed pointless for me. I wrote from my husbands point of view. My goodness! and now I feel 'very sorry for him having to put up with me'. Have I changed towards him? No..not really..He has actully told me what I'm like as a person throughout our married life.
Hi ladies, thank you for all of your comments. Having read your comments, there are a number of areas I have decided to re-look at and try to improve. I have not managed to decrease my 12pm stress levels- if anything, they have increased along with my work load. Working as a teaching assistant, I do not get free lessons like teachers do. I have six classes every day. In order to increase my wage, I also start half an hour earlier (7.45am) doing a 'wake up club' and also work throughout my lunch half hour doing a lunch duty. By 4pm I am so tired, having barely had a break and I think this full on daily schedule takes it's toll and gets me very stressed. My schedule is not going to change, so I must devise my own coping strategies. This is why I have found the graphs so beneficial to me. They have highlighted how I am feeling. It seems to me, having also tried using lists, that this is the way that suits me in order to structure my day and mind! I have a fairly healthy diet and always eat breakfast, lunch and dinner and I am also the correct weight for my height. Having read Corinda's concerns regarding my diet, it has however got me wondering if maybe my vegetarian diet is possbily lacking in certain vitamins or minerals. I do get very tired and sometimes dizzy so I think this is worth further investigation. I found it interesting, reading about Lisa and Corrinda's experiences with 'another view'. Like Corinda, I did not really find the exercise beneficial when writing from the point of view of an object. As Lisa has suggested, I am going to try it again when a situation at work arrises that will be suitable to write about.
Hi Sarah, I hope you didn't mind my comment being on the personal side but I couldn't help pick up the vibes on your health. I speak from experience having worked in a Secondary school for three years so I empathise. Have you thought about Yoga for relaxation? You still need YOU time. Don't underestimate the fact that you are working very long hours and giving all the time, you are getting drained you need something back. You come across as a very caring, nuturing person (an exceptional quality)and people may take advantage of that, there are lots of 'Energy Vampires' out there. Protect yourself. Best wishes.
Hi Sarah.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see that you are getting on well with the journal writing. I find it interesting that the graphs are working for you. That is the one format I found really odd and completely useless for me. As the graph shows your peak stress level at 12pm perhaps you could now use this to work out what it is that is making you stressed and prepare for it to see if you can bring it down? Let me know if you manage it and how. It is also interesting that I found listography.com extremely bizarre. I didn't know where to start, but I might go and have another look at it now. It has occurred to me that perhaps I am nervous about what I will discover. I also found myself leaving parts of my day our of the journal, partly because I didn't want to remember it and partly because even though I know no one else is going to read it I still felt inhibited. I did eventually let go of that. I hope you can too.
Hi Sarah. I love your graphs, its nice to see the same technique working for someone else too. I found that the Another view was a great way to step out of situations and see them for what they really are which is exactly what you have managed to achieve. Maybe you could post an extract! You obviously struggled with what if, which is completely understandable because all ideas don't suit everyone, but perhaps you could give it another go on a day that didn't go so well to start you off. It's easier to improve situations by imagining what could have happened that way. For example, you missed an audition, so if only you didn't miss the bus. Or I made it to the audition - if I had missed the bus....
ReplyDeleteIt's one of the techniques I struggled with and this concept worked for me. Keep up the enthusiasm!!
I found your post very interesting. Especially the graphs. You took great time and patience in getting the results, you discovered your stress levels at certain times. That took alot of organisation and time and precision. You also organised a time management plan. That is very well done! I can't help myself but give you advice.. Are you eating enough of the right foods? You may need to look at your diet if you are getting so tired at 12 pm? You may also need some help with the classes before noon. If there is a theme that keeps reoccurring ask for help from you and advice. Hopefully the school will support you. I had difficulties with behaviour in certain classes, I was afraid to loose control of the children. I requested help and was observed and discovered that certain areas of teaching needed attention and was given techniques to try. It helped considerably. Have the graphs and lists, highlighted less important tasks to get concerned about? I decided not to write 'Another View' from the point of view with an inannimate object, it seemed pointless for me. I wrote from my husbands point of view. My goodness! and now I feel 'very sorry for him having to put up with me'. Have I changed towards him? No..not really..He has actully told me what I'm like as a person throughout our married life.
ReplyDeleteHi ladies, thank you for all of your comments. Having read your comments, there are a number of areas I have decided to re-look at and try to improve. I have not managed to decrease my 12pm stress levels- if anything, they have increased along with my work load. Working as a teaching assistant, I do not get free lessons like teachers do. I have six classes every day. In order to increase my wage, I also start half an hour earlier (7.45am) doing a 'wake up club' and also work throughout my lunch half hour doing a lunch duty. By 4pm I am so tired, having barely had a break and I think this full on daily schedule takes it's toll and gets me very stressed. My schedule is not going to change, so I must devise my own coping strategies. This is why I have found the graphs so beneficial to me. They have highlighted how I am feeling. It seems to me, having also tried using lists, that this is the way that suits me in order to structure my day and mind! I have a fairly healthy diet and always eat breakfast, lunch and dinner and I am also the correct weight for my height. Having read Corinda's concerns regarding my diet, it has however got me wondering if maybe my vegetarian diet is possbily lacking in certain vitamins or minerals. I do get very tired and sometimes dizzy so I think this is worth further investigation.
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting, reading about Lisa and Corrinda's experiences with 'another view'. Like Corinda, I did not really find the exercise beneficial when writing from the point of view of an object. As Lisa has suggested, I am going to try it again when a situation at work arrises that will be suitable to write about.
Hi Sarah, I hope you didn't mind my comment being on the personal side but I couldn't help pick up the vibes on your health. I speak from experience having worked in a Secondary school for three years so I empathise. Have you thought about Yoga for relaxation? You still need YOU time. Don't underestimate the fact that you are working very long hours and giving all the time, you are getting drained you need something back. You come across as a very caring, nuturing person (an exceptional quality)and people may take advantage of that, there are lots of 'Energy Vampires' out there. Protect yourself. Best wishes.
ReplyDelete