It’s been a while!

Okay, so I apologize because I know it has been a loooong time since I have posted anything here. A lot has been changing in my life the last few years, so let me explain.

My last year teaching in Texas was 2021 – 2022. I took over the Science Department Lead position and I finally got to teach all 8th grade classes! We hired a new teacher in our department as well so there was a lot of time talking and planning with her because she also had a few 8th grade classes. Because I took these new roles, I didn’t coach volleyball or basketball but I took on my first year as a track coach. On top of that, we also got a new principal that year so there was a lot of new things going on and learning I had to do. Then I made the very hard decision to move back home to Florida.

This was a decision that had been on my mind for the last few years but it was still a hard one to make. I loved my friends and my job in Sweeny but the drive home was getting tough and all we are doing is aging, so moving back home close to my parents and other family was top priority. It came with pros and cons and it took me quite some time to get my groove going with this new life.

I moved back to my parents house and this was a pro and a con. My bills dropped dramatically, but living back with parents after being out of their house for 13 years was a hard transition. However, a huge pro is that my mom is a good cook and she is more than willing to bring me plates to bed and even help me make my bed! I haven’t had to cook dinner in a whole year, and that has been beyond nice. I also haven’t had to wash any dishes either…..Whaaaaaaaa?!?! But, just so y’all know that I’m not just taking my mom for granted, I surprise her here and there with tips when she brings me food and other days I’ll just text her to come to my room real quick and I’ll give her a 5, 10, or 20 and let her know that was for my tips I was catching up on. She would continuously do it for free, but she deserves more than I am even paying her!

Another pro of the move was teaching at my old high school, in the original position I applied for – Physical Science and Earth/Space Science. However, I took a 17k a year pay cut! But let me remind you, my bills dropped enough to balance it back out and I am still able to work on paying off all my debt! Because, one of the big goals of moving back was to get debt free so I can purchase a Winnebago Roam! It took me quite a few months to get used to much check (which is way smaller each month) being deposited in my bank account. Every month I was just really upset because I was working harder in my new position than I was in previous years, but I was making less. It did not feel okay.

One of the hardest things about teaching here again was dealing with the Florida Standards and the states CPALMS resource. It is NOTHING compared to what Texas offered and to top that off the teacher that had my job previously left behind nothing other than the textbooks for the course, which I will add, are terrible. So, that’s the main reason I felt like I was working harder than I had in previous years.

So for the 2022 – 2023 school year I was on the struggle bus for most of the year! I was constantly making new things for my students to do in class, looking for other resources and trying to make it fun and hands on with NO budget. But, I reached out to parents and local businesses and politicians and I was about to raise about 800 dollars to use for supplies in my classes and the hands on learning began! I started feeling good about things by the time April rolled around and then school was over!

And sweet summer started! And yall, I literally lazed around and watched 100’s of shows and documentaries, I also did some work for next school year, and did a little for my business that we also started last year!

The Life By You! My childhood and still to this day best friend I created this business that aims to helping everyone live a better life! We make books and journals that we sell on amazon and we share daily positive posts to help encourage good life decisions. We have all types of books including journals, budget books, grocery lists, diet/workout books, calendars, planners, notebooks for students with school spirit and tons of other logs and things. So, if any of this sounds like something you’d be interest in go over to Facebook and follow us. One day we hope to create a positive and supportive community that helps people reach their goals! Because guys, its our decision to make our life what we want it to be. You just have to be willing to set goals and stay focused and you make whatever dream you have come true!

Soooo, I have been pretty busy! And, if I’m honest I have experienced lot of stress, uncertainty, fear, and worry and just overall feelings of…..Am I doing what I am supposed to be doing? Am I making the right decisions?

Because let’s face it, change is often hard and always scary. And that’s why self care and mindset are so very important. If we can try to keep telling ourselves positives things we never stay stuck in an icky spot for long. To be very real, this picture is how I was feeling quite a few times in the past year…….

A mess, right?!?

But, I’m very proud to let everyone know that I’m doing much better! Work got better, living with parents got easier, and summer has recharged me like it always does. Back are my positive vibes that are worth sharing! Because one thing we all have to keep in mind isss……….

We can’t help others if we don’t take care of ourselves. It’s hard to give to others if you’re not full. So, take care of yourself. Take the breaks you need to. It’s okay to say no sometimes. It’s okay to take care of yourself, because when you do, you are way better at taking care of others! And I’m proud to leave you with an image that’s a bit more appealing than the previous one!

I think we can agree that looks like a better headspace! 🙂

Soooo, I’m baaaaack!! And I just went on an amazing camping trip to Canada so I’ll be sharing about that soon!