Welcome to The Flourishing Teacher's Field Guide.

We’ve all felt those moments of defeat when our wellbeing intentions crash into the realities of a busy teaching day. 

If you've ever felt your best-laid plans crumble thanks to never-ending classroom pressure, then these three strategies for bridging that intention-action gap might be just what you need - in the classroom and beyond.

Let's jump in...

The Monday Morning Reality Check

We teachers often talk about the Sunday Scaries… those moments of anxiety that hit us when we think about going back to work.

But a couple of years ago, I realised I was developing a different kind of back-to-work ritual entirely by accident. And it wasn’t a good one.

Let’s rather grandly call it the Sunday Strategy. 

This strategy (which, looking back, I realise came from a positive place, even if it didn’t end up like that) was all about being better tomorrow. 

The problem was that it was all wish and no substance.

On Sunday night I’d promise myself that "Tomorrow, I'll take a proper lunch break." 

But on Monday, I’d find myself wolfing down a sandwich while marking books.

Sunday evening: "I'll leave by 4:30 tomorrow." 

Monday afternoon: "Just one more hour..."

Sound familiar?

We know that small changes and micro-habits can create powerful transformations. But even the best intentions can dissolve when they meet the chaotic reality of a teaching day.

The solution isn't more willpower. It's having a concrete blueprint for navigating those challenging moments.

3 Ways To Bridge The Intention-Action Gap

1. Morning Mission Planning

The most critical time for protecting your wellbeing isn't when you're stressed - it's before the pressure hits.

And that means investing in yourself by planning ahead. It might feel artificial to plan and resource your wellbeing, but it’s even more important than planning and resourcing your lessons…

Try this:

• Create a 10-minute pre-work routine the week before you plan on starting it

• Review your wellbeing priorities at the weekend, not when you’re feeling tired

• Set three non-negotiable self-care actions for next weekend, giving yourself time to plan for them

• Plan for specific trigger responses - if you identify your challenges ahead of time, you’re more likely to be able to manage them

Research shows that decisions made under calm conditions are 80% more likely to stick when stress hits.

And even when it does, you’ll be better placed to manage the impact of a challenging day.

2. Energy Mapping

Understanding your natural energy patterns allows you to protect your wellbeing when it matters most.

I struggle with this one, because I’ve come to recognise that my natural energy patterns (great at 07:00, great at 18:00, mostly asleep between 11:00 and 14:00) don’t match a traditional teaching pattern.

However, by recognising and responding to this, I’ve made it work for me.

Make it work:

• Track your energy levels hourly for one day

• Identify your peak and dip times

• Build buffer zones around challenging periods and schedule self-care during natural breaks

Studies indicate that working with your natural rhythms doubles your success rate with new habits. 

Once I got over the idea that it was OK to grab a nap when I ‘should’ be at work and OK to work when I ‘should’ be having a rest, it all got easier to manage.

3. Boundary Buffering

I know it isn’t easy, but creating protective spaces around your wellbeing commitments makes them more resilient to disruption.

Think of it like this - when we protect ourselves, we’re also protecting others, and that makes self-care a valuable use of our time.

Here's how:

• Add 5-minute buffers around planned breaks, giving you time to settle in and then transition out

• Create physical transition spaces (or at the very least, move location, even if it’s to the other side of the classroom)

• Develop standard responses to interruptions

• Practice gentle but firm boundary statements

When we have a plan for how to protect our wellbeing, (especially those short moments of self-care), we’re more likely to gain the benefit and, crucially, to form a positive habit.

Making It Work When Pressure Hits

Remember:

• Your wellbeing isn't selfish - it's essential for sustainable teaching

• Small wins count - especially on challenging days

• Progress isn't perfect - it's consistent

The goal isn't to transform your Monday morning into a zen retreat. It's to build reliable systems that protect your wellbeing even when you’re under pressure.

Maybe if we dedicate some time to developing those Sunday Strategies, they’ll banish the Sunday Scaries after all.

What Are You Waiting For?

We believe that teachers achieve extraordinary things under challenging circumstances and that we all deserve to be valued, supported and celebrated.

That's what this newsletter is all about.

If you haven't subscribed yet, why not join the Marigold community? You'll get weekly strategies for sustaining your wellbeing, avoiding burnout and flourishing as a person, not just a teacher.

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Get Exclusive Access To Our Free Online Course…

As valued subscribers, we’re delighted to offer you free lifetime access to our short course in teacher wellbeing. It’s just part of the value you get from being a member of the Marigold community.

Our five lessons introduce you to some essential elements of teacher wellbeing:

• How to compartmentalise your life and work

• How to manage your work/life balance

• How to boost your productivity and efficiency

• How to get the support you need

• How to build a positive mindset

Click the link below and start getting value from the course now!

Thank You For Everything

Teachers are the backbone of the countries and communities in which we work. We’re responsible for sowing the seeds of the future and making the world a better place.

It’s easy to lose sight of the value of what we do, but I genuinely believe that even on those days when things feel overwhelming (or we feel undervalued), we still make a massive difference.

So, if no one else says it today, remember what an extraordinarily good job you do, what a skilled and generous person you are, and how much we thank you for being there.

You’re amazing, and we want you to stay that way. 

Here’s our recap of the top three takeaways from this issue…

Remember, you're more than your marking, your lesson observations and your planning.

You're you. And that's all you need to be.