It surfaced again. That critic you’ve been hearing in the quiet of your mind. It’s hard to ignore because it’s getting louder and more frequent. Every time you consider what else you could do with your teaching degree, it takes over your thoughts. “I’m JUST a teacher,” it screams. The worst part: those words are coming from inside you. Any confidence you mustered up to look for something else comes crashing down on you. You feel paralyzed. Consumed with self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and discouragement.
You know deep down teaching isn’t serving you anymore. You’ve been feeling this way for a while now. Toying with the idea of a career change feels terrifying, like you’re living on the edge, but liberating at the same time. Sometimes you let your imagination run free, daydreaming of simple pleasures the classroom no longer (or never did) provides.
Every time you say, “I’m just a teacher,” there’s a deeper meaning you’re not admitting. Do you know what it is? Keep reading to learn more.
Let me ask you a question: when you say these words to yourself, “I’m just a teacher,” does it feel like you’re coming from a place of love? Or does it stir something inside you that doesn’t feel quite right? Telling yourself “I’m just a teacher” is a limiting belief driven by fear. Underneath that phrase, there’s a part of you afraid you’re not qualified for any position beyond what you do know: teaching.
Picture this:
Imagine you’re holding a giant umbrella. The umbrella itself represents your career (specifically, your teaching career); the protective fabric: self-doubt.
At one time, your umbrella was perfect for you. Beautifully designed, your favorite colors, and it worked like magic, guarding you from the weather outside.
Unfortunately, your umbrella is worn, with tears and holes from weathering too many storms over your education career. Because of its wear, it no longer protects you from the elements like proving yourself, people pleasing, overachieving, exhaustion, burnout, and anxiety. There are probably more you could add to your own list. After some time, you’re soaked, but you don’t know where you can find another umbrella. You’re so used to this one; afterall, it worked for you for so long.
Even on the rare occasion you see a beautiful new umbrella, better quality and waterproof, you become unsure of yourself. You’ve been so attached to your weathered umbrella that it’s become part of who you are, deeply connected to your identity. After all, everyone sees you with that umbrella.
Is holding onto teaching no longer serving you? Is it easier to remain feeling stuck or follow your inner knowing to something more aligned?
Truth be told, finding a new umbrella is easier than changing careers. However, when you’re not mentally, emotionally, or energetically ready to move on, finding something new – no matter what it is – can be a challenge for anyone. When you find yourself saying things like, “I’m just a teacher” or “what else can I do besides teaching?” you are taking away your personal power and handing it right over to fear. Fear resides where you feel uncertainty, lack, not good enough, and unqualified.
How do you step into your own power and tap into the inner badass you truly are when you’re battling your inner critic? Let’s explore 5 strategies to support your mental, emotional, and spiritual badassery!
- Emotional Free Writing: Find a journal and start dumping out everything you feel is holding you back, keeping you stuck, and preventing you from being happy. It’s essential to honor your feelings, no matter how challenging they are right now.
- Talk With a Trusted Friend: Sometimes airing out your concerns through venting gets a bad rap. What feels better? Keeping them inside and letting them ruminate, or getting them out and off your chest? Knowing you have a trusted friend to give you a safe space to listen without judgment is a life blessing. Be sure to let your friend know ahead of time whether you want them to simply listen and hold space or offer solutions.
- Fill up your emotional cup before pouring into others: What’s one thing you can do for yourself today? Building your own self-compassion toolkit will support your mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing when you need it most. Giving yourself “me time” daily, for at least 20 minutes, is not only a way to give yourself permission to focus on you, but it’s also something you deserve. As transitioning and former teachers, it may be hard to break free from old habits and patterns you took on in the classroom. It’s time to take care of yourself so you are able to take care of the ones you love most.
- Start living as the version of yourself you’re preparing to be: Tap into the future version of you who already landed their next dream role. Ask yourself: What would life be like? How would you wake up every morning? What would you do differently? What do you love doing that you would do more of? Start taking aligned steps towards the version of you you’re working towards becoming. What does that look like on a daily basis? Take action now, building the reality that while you’re a teacher, you are also…(fill in the next chapter here).
- Create your very own Badass list! When you first consider a major life change, such as a career transition, all sorts of feelings creep up. Self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and fear are just a few. This is the time you need courage and confidence to be center stage. Grab some paper and your favorite colored pen. Turn on music that always gets you moving (for me, anything 90s alternative hits the spot!). Start listing everything, no matter how big or small, that you’ve accomplished.
Here are some ideas
Trusted your intuition to leave the classroom, started your own business, ran a marathon, performed on stage, asked someone on a date, got out of bed when you were miserable, applied to a job, told a friend you wanted to explore options outside of education.
Once you have your list (and you can always come back and add more), take it with you and stand in front of a mirror. Look yourself in the eye, and say, “This is how BADASS [say your name aloud] is! She/he/they [use your preferred pronoun]…” then say everything on your list with the attitude of total badassery. Celebrate. Repeat. Feel proud of yourself. Stand in your confidence. Savor this moment.
When you’re constantly talking down to yourself, mental and emotional clutter builds up. Over time, you start believing those stories of “not good enough,” “too old,” or “unqualified.” It’s time to not only dream of the possibilities aligned with your highest good, it’s time to start speaking them into reality. Shifting your thoughts to a better place is the starting point. Having a toolkit of strategies keeps you feeling in control of your transition and empowered like the badass you know you are. Now go make that Badass list! Want a cheerleader? Send your list to jessica@thejourneytohere.net!
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