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Kristin "Kay" McKeown
Back to School Meditation for Teachers

It's that time of year again. 

For all who are getting ready to go back to school, (or are already back) I created a "very special" Back to School Meditation for Teachers.

Back to School Meditation for Teachers

self compassion

February 2023 - Self-Acceptance

February 2023 - Self-Acceptance

What would it feel like if you chose to unconditionally accept yourself as you are right now? To love yourself with all your human failings and imperfections (not in spite of them)?

Contrary to how it may seem, self-acceptance isn't about stagnating or giving up on evolving as a person. In fact, I find that self-acceptance provides the nurturing support that helps me continue to grow. The love and compassion we choose to offer ourselves doesn't need to be contingent on some activity or outcome. We are enough right now, in this moment, as-is.

September 2020 - Self-Compassion

September 2020 Self-Compassion.png

September 2020 - Self-Compassion

Being gentle with ourselves.

Giving ourselves grace.

Accepting ourselves as we are.

These are challenging times, and now more than ever we need to offer ourselves as much self-compassion as we can. This month's invitation is to disregard the judgement of your inner critic. Put less pressure on yourself. Accept that you are perfectly imperfect. And, as best as you can, love yourself unconditionally.

February 2020 - Self-Compassion

February 2020 - Self-Compassion

In this month of love and affection, I invite you to give yourself some love.

You can accept yourself as you are with all your perfect imperfections. You can give yourself kindness and grace when you make mistakes or experience disappointments. You can unburden yourself from any grudges and resentments that are weighing you down.

Consider other heart-centered ways to give yourself warmth, compassion, and whatever else you may need right now. You deserve it.

Who am I to...?

Who am I to...?

These “who am I to” statements came from a place of fear – fear of risk, fear of judgement, fear of getting hurt or embarrassed or shamed.

This voice of my inner critic is trying to keep me safe.  I understand that. 

But by trying to keep me safe, it keeps me small.  It keeps me from growing and evolving and becoming the most realized version of myself. 

I recently realized that he first letters of the phrase “Who am I to” represent the message of the phrase itself very clearly:  W.A.I.T.

The Self Compassion of Honoring What You Need

The Self Compassion of Honoring What You Need

When we think about self-compassion, it is often associated with the ideas of being kind to oneself and letting go of our inner critic.  These are unquestionably important elements, but not really related to the insight I recently had. 

The form of self-compassion that I’m thinking about is when we listen to our hearts and honor what we need, even if this is different from what we think we want.

Teacher Self-Care: Saying Yes to Saying No

Teacher Self-Care: Saying Yes to Saying No

Self-care is what keeps us feeling good, both mentally and physically.  When you feel both physically healthy and mentally strong, you are able function at a level that wouldn’t be possible otherwise.   I’ve written before about why self-care and self-advocacy are not selfish.  It allows you to effectively and resiliently support all the people in your life who are counting on you. 

How, then, do we introduce more self-advocacy and self-care into our busy everyday lives when we’re so often focused on everyone else?

Learn to Stop Beating Yourself Up

Learn to Stop Beating Yourself Up

“It’s time to stop beating yourself up.” 

When I speak to groups of students or educators, I make sure to touch on self-compassion as an important part of mindfulness practice.  Typically, I begin with the statement above, shortly followed by, “…it’s not working, nor is it doing what you think it is.” 

I start my overview of self-compassion with this because the experience of mentally beating oneself up is rather universal in our culture.  Just about everyone does it, and I would guess that you do, too.  

Negative self-talk and the inner critic are so pervasive because many people see it as useful.  Some people even resist being gentler with themselves because they think self-flagellation is how they “hold themselves accountable” or “stay in line” or “teach themselves a lesson” when they mess up. 

Monday affirmations to start your week right. Credit: @daylightillustrations #teachingbalance #teacherselfcare #teacherwellness #teachershare #teacherstyle #teaching #teacherquote #teachertribe #teacherlife #weareteachers #teachertips #teacherhear
Mindful Monday Tip: It is always important to take good care of yourself. Credit: @colormehappii #teachingbalance #teacherselfcare #teacherwellness #teachershare #teacherstyle #teaching #teacherquote #teachertribe #teacherlife #weareteachers #tea
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