I was reading my blog feed today and saw this post by Sarah Hart-Unger about her resolution to give herself a calm, happy winter break with her kids, and the manifesto she wrote to qualify it. I immediately thought, “YES! A manifesto! That’s EXACTLY what I need.”

Like every other teacher on the planet, I look forward to breaks. Winter break, spring break, summer break, even a long weekend– all of these are necessary respite from the hectic grind of teaching and an opportunity to re-set for the next round. However, I sometimes find that I am ill-equipped to make the most of my break time. I am a creature of habit, and when I become untethered from my habits (getting up at a regular time, packing a healthy lunch) I sometimes flail. I don’t eat well; I stay up late reading; I don’t get up early to exercise.

I know that this is considered “normal” behavior for a vacation. And it’s not that I don’t want to enjoy my Christmas cookies or get lost in a book. But my body quickly responds negatively to an overdose of sugar, irregular sleep habits or a lack of exercise. Physically and emotionally, I am a high-maintenance machine, and if I stop maintaining myself, I start to get cranky. Which is the last thing I (or my family) wants this holiday season.

So if my regular school habits aren’t there to keep me in check, I’m going to have to do it for myself. Hence, THE MANIFESTO!

• I will eat a vegetable and a lean protein at every meal. (This feels manageable even with holiday eating.)
• I will get my heart rate up for at least 15 minutes every day.
• I will take a gym or yoga class at least 4 times during the 11-day break.
• I won’t eat dessert until after 8:00 so as not to over-indulge. (Corollary: I won’t keep tempting treats upstairs in the house.)
• I will meditate for 5 minutes a day.
• I will write every day, even if it’s just in my journal.
• I will schedule time for reflection and planning for Q1 of 2020.
• I will map out each day the night before to ensure that my exercise, meditation and writing time are planned.
• I will read 4 books. (That’s how many I need to reach my Goodreads pledge of 85 books this year.)
• I will do a puzzle.

Note that none of the items on this manifesto have to do with my family. My manifesto will help me take care of myself so that I can happily maintain my energy, joy and mindfulness for my family this holiday season.

And to ensure I stick with my manifesto, I will be posting the results in early January.

I know some might think I’m crazy for wanting to regulate myself during the holidays, but this is what works for me; self-regulation ultimately keeps me happier and more energized. It’s easy for me to get sucked into the mindset of “just relax,” but it’s time that I acknowledge that what rejuvenates me isn’t necessarily what rejuvenates others.

(Although there will still be cookies, books and Christmas movies. And wine.)

If you were to write a manifesto, what would it say?

Happy winter break to all my teacher friends!