Busy Days, New Policies, and the Urgent Need for a Bathroom Break

Yep, true story.

Returning to school after a long break is basically being thrown into the deep end of a pool...without a life jacket. Sure, there’s the thrill of reconnecting with students and colleagues, but that excitement quickly sinks under the weight of new policies, jam-packed schedules, and the daily quest for basic survival. It's like finding a moment to use the bathroom or inhale some food. As a teacher wading through this chaos, I’m sharing my experience so others can either commiserate or laugh at the absurdity with me.

First, don’t get me wrong. I truly love teaching! I love the energy when students return, even if it lasts about as long as a sneeze. I love watching them explore Deaf culture, especially the priceless looks on their faces when they learn that many in the Deaf community actually choose to be Deaf. All the stress makes these moments worth it…most days. Other days, I question whether my sanity made the cut.

The Rush of Returning

PIVOT!!!!!

The first day back is always a rollercoaster. There’s the joy of reconnecting with students and colleagues, quickly followed by the stomach-drop feeling of adjusting to new routines. This year, that rollercoaster had extra loops. The school was buzzing with urgency that made it feel like we were starring in a reality show called SURVIVE THE SCHEDULE to be the best. Lunch and planning times were set, and teaching three different levels back-to-back required copies ready yesterday, and a mindset required pivoting and flexibility. Personal needs? Forget it. By the end of the day, settling into teaching felt less like easing in and more like running a nonstop marathon with no finish line in sight. PS I don't run, so this is especially challenging.

The Bathroom Dilemma

One of the biggest challenges was simply finding time for a bathroom break. With classes stacked back-to-back and scheduled breaks vanishing, it quickly became a struggle. The thought of asking a colleague to cover, even for just a minute, felt like a burden. I soon realized I wasn’t the only one. Many teachers shared the same frustration, joking, “How long can a person go without going to the bathroom? We should just wear diapers!" Except it wasn’t really a joke. It was a genuine issue affecting our focus and well-being. Some days, I wouldn’t even notice I hadn’t gone until I walked through my front door and made a mad dash to the bathroom.

The Lunch Crunch

On top of everything else, finding time to eat lunch became a monumental challenge. Meetings or duties are frequently

scheduled during our lunch periods, often interrupting the time some of us desperately needed to recharge. I frequently find myself skipping meals, an alarming trend, particularly for anyone needing the energy to keep up with the demands of teaching. Packing quick snacks seemed like a smart solution, but even they often went untouched as deadlines

loomed. I am starting to realize that nurturing my own well-being should be prioritized, but making this a reality is proving difficult.

When I arrive home.

Navigating New Policies

The newly introduced policies were supposedly designed to make life easier; however, somewhere, someone is laughing. In reality, they hit like a karate chop to the throat that no amount of planning can tolerate. About 70 percent of teachers probably need an extra five hours just to figure out what’s going on, on top of our already overflowing schedules. Evenings vanish in a blur of deciphering guidelines, remembering that there’s a policy for every policy, and somehow still prepping lessons and grading assignments. By the time I stop, it feels less like teaching and more like swimming in a tsunami of deadlines and paperwork, but without a life vest in sight.

"We have a new policy for our new policy"

Finding Balance

Amidst the whirlwind, I realized I need to find balance. I have started to remind myself to breathe. I am even considering a tattoo on my wrist to remind me. Have you ever caught yourself forgetting to breathe until you become lightheaded? Why am I reminding myself to do something that should come naturally? It became clear that we all could use a supportive network, a space to share strategies and remind each other to prioritize our own needs. I’m grateful for the colleagues who check in on me and step in to cover my class so I can take that much-needed bathroom break.

The Importance of Self-Care

As teachers, we’re experts at putting our students first, but when we ignore our own needs, burnout shows up like that one guest who just won’t leave. I’ve been sneaking in tiny self-care moments, like a few seconds of actual breathing. Of course, “real breathing” usually lasts about five seconds before someone knocks, asking for help, sharing unsolicited advice, or reminding me of yet another mandated policy. Still, even those micro-pauses recharge my batteries just enough to tackle the chaos with slightly more sanity and maybe a little less eye twitching.

Reflecting on the Journey

Returning to school this year has been a rollercoaster filled with busy days, new policies, and the never-ending search for a bathroom break. The challenges are overwhelming at times, but I also uncovered the essential role of community and self-care. As educators navigating a challenging environment, we’re not alone. By leaning on each other and remembering to care for ourselves, we can tackle the twists and turns of teaching with resilience. So here’s to surviving...and even thriving... this school year, one much-needed break at a time! Got any tips or tricks? Send them my way because I could use all the help I can get!

Survived the first day of school! My son’s my chauffeur so I can take selfies. Ha, we actually share a car since he leaves early for dual enrollment.