And on the 3rd day, she took off.

Yes, you read it correctly. Today officially marked our 3rd day of school, and ya girl took the day off.

I surely did. I had to. I needed a mental health day, badly. I am so proud of myself and how far I’ve come in my mental health and awareness journey, because there was once a time where a day off wasn’t even a thought for me. My world almost had to be turning upside down for me to take a day off.

Now, please give me the day off—2-3 days if I’m feeling frisky.

Corporate America and standard 9-5 jobs take days off all the time; why can’t educators? Why is the standard for us to work around-the-clock, lesson/meeting planning and answering e-mails at home, being educators & societal figures way beyond the classroom and school building, not to mention we’re arguably the most underpaid professionals, yet we still shrink at the thought of requesting a day off?

Not I. I requested today off & got approval from my superior; I happily set my automatic e-mail away message; I informed my Vice Principal that I would be unavailable except for emergencies; and I took the day, simply. No e-mails, no phone calls, nothing. And yes, it was the third day of the year with students.

Opening a brand-new school was definitely more than I bargained for, but I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world. I have learned and grown so much as a school leader, and have truly found out what I’m made of. I mean, I always knew my work ethic was on 10, but now—whew, baby!

Now, I can honestly say I know the true meanings of “get it done”, “by any means necessary”, and “see it through”. My leadership team and I are the real-life definitions of grit, resilience, and getting it done. We all have been pulling 12-20 hour workdays for the past month plus, and have a bomb school policy and procedural foundation, functional e-learning structure, supportive school community, and successful inaugural opening to show for it…but man, I WAS TIRED!

I beg of you, please take the day—take two if you need them. I would much rather you take the day than continually show up exhausted and build your own road to burnout. You can’t pour from an empty cup.

In closing, I asked God for three particular things within my school leadership career short-term goals: (1) To become a principal, (2) To lead a school abroad, and (3) To help open and found a brand-new school. I don’t even have to say much more besides look at what God did. All three goals and I’m only on year 4.

I truly thank Him for His continuous blessings, provision, guidance, and passion for this work. However, one thing I will not do is overwork and burn myself out early in my school leadership career. I almost feel like I did so in the classroom because I went so hard as a beginning teacher; I’m talking about in my classroom working most days until 8-9pm. Therefore, I am being extremely mindful and careful with my principal journey, taking the time I need when I need it most.

Again, you cannot pour from an empty cup. Your students need a full you. Your staff needs a full you. Your school community needs a full you. You need a full you. Don’t burn yourself out. Please take the day, or 2.