It's only January....

How do you deal with stress? What's your go to coping mechanism? Food? Sleep? Lots of yelling? I feel like this is different for everyone. But really, what do you do when you overbook yourself, feel like you're treading water and there's no end in site? How do we do this to ourselves?

I can honestly say, I don't feel stressed often. There are times when I feel like I have a million balls in the air and it takes every ounce of my being to keep juggling, but I don't really count that as stress. Today, as I ran to the store to grab lunch, I did something that I realized is one of my "stress coping mechanisms". That's right, I bought a cooking magazine. Yes, I know this is quite possibly the silliest thing ever, but when things are going a little crazy around here-- I somehow end up with a new magazine full of recipes and pictures that make me drool a little. Now, I never cook any of the items, because who really has time for that?? But, I take an hour or two and decompress by reading every single recipe. I think about how I would change it to make it something I would enjoy-- omit the onions here, use beef instead of chicken there, etc.

Lunch and my magazine... 

So why? Why do I spend money (today, $9.99) on a magazine that I'm never going to truly use? NO FRICKIN CLUE. Other than, I like to think it's my way of clearing my head. I can focus on something not even close to the long the To-Do list awaiting my check marks or the 10 applications I should be reading. It gives me clarity-- I guess it's my yoga without the yoga pants.

I know many people have been back in school for one or two weeks already. I know we always say the spring is so busy. But lately, I feel like I've been on the warp speed. Every time I turn around, there is another event, meeting, dinner to attend, or kid needing help. I love my job-- which is a good thing considering it would drive a sane person flat bonkers. But sometimes, I wish there were a few more hours in the day. Last week alone, we had a school-wide course fair, I was gone for meetings and my kids rocked 8th grade recruitment. It was a 4 day work week people!

This was our Course Fair! We of course had to showcase our hens!

I will say, as crazy as Ag teachers are, we have some of the best kids possible. Last week, I got two days notice about needing to be at our junior high for recruitment. Usually this is a stretch, but to add sprinkles to that sundae-- I was going to be out of town. Which meant I had one day to get a program together and have kids practice it before I left for a meeting. I quickly text two seniors and asked if they would sign on for the crazy train. They both immediately replied that they could handle it and facilitate the whole thing, including guiding the other 6 underclassmen that would also be attending.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. I definitely was. Our fate as a GROWING chapter was in their hands. I did mention that to them, just so they all realized the importance. Following the day, I got pictures from them with texts about how great it was. I even received an email at the end of the day from the science teacher whose class they were in all day, thanking me for a great presentation and sending great kids.

One of the pictures I got from my kids with the 8th graders

As the spring continues to move like the speed of light, I have two things I have to keep in mind:

1. Let them surprise me-- Give them the tasks and pray, hope and cross fingers they were pull through with greatness
2. Take time to decompress--  sit outside and enjoy the sunshine (make sure there's sun) and read a book or magazine.

Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude. 

Zig Ziglar