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Words of Encouragement
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Written by Kandace Buckner
I’ve recently taken time to reflect on the ways that the Pandemic and virtual learning has taken a toll on me and my family. If I’m honest, the one thought that screamed loudest was “THIS IS HARD”. When COVID started I put a lot of unnecessary pressure on myself to be exceptional at all things and to “come out of the pandemic on top” like some motivational Instagram posts suggested. As you can imagine, this didn’t work out well. When it was apparent that I was unable to live up to my own unrealistic expectations, it resulted in a negative thought pattern of “not being good enough” or believing things were too hard to try. Between parenting, work, and knowing we would have to endure this way of life for a while, I knew I had to find a way to pull myself out of my funk.
I started reaching out to a couple of The Educator Academy partners–therapist Steffon Staley and Executive Leadership Coach Cynthia Moore-Hollinshed to develop a “self care toolbox”. One of my favorite tools I’ve gleaned from the pair is the reciting of daily affirmations. In essence, affirmations are belief statements that help to encourage and train your brain to be positive! I collect affirmations in a journal and choose one or two to recite each day. Below are a few of my favorites. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1602527139190{background-color: #ccddc2 !important;}”]
Daily Affirmations
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- I choose joy.
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- I am doing my best and my best is good enough.
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- Disappointment does not equal disaster.
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- I will remain on my own team.
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- I am true to myself and others.
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- I work hard for myself first so that I am able to work hard for others.
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[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Even after reciting affirmations I can’t tell you that all of my days are without difficulty. I desperately miss the quiet commute to work after dropping my children off, friendly hallway exchanges, and the magic of the classroom. This tool isn’t meant to fill those voids but meant to put things into a positive perspective. Today I challenge you to write down two affirmations to recite at least three times a day.
Take care of yourself, choose joy, and remain on your own team.
–Kandace[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”62px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1602111732486{margin-right: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;padding-right: -100px !important;padding-left: -100px !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”21615″ img_size=”full” qode_css_animation=””][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_single_image image=”21614″ img_size=”full” qode_css_animation=””][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]Today’s Post is written by one of Continuum Coaches, Kandace Buckner, Kandace also serves as a Methods Instructor for our Early Childhood Education Residents. In this post, she shares her experience as a working mom attempting to navigate the reality that COVID-19 has brought upon us. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1602111732486{margin-right: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;padding-right: -100px !important;padding-left: -100px !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”65px”][/vc_column][/vc_row]