Theme: Leading Self
Ki te wātea te hinengaro, me te kaha rere o te wairua, ka tāea ngā mea katoa.
When the mind is free and the spirit is willing, anything is possible.
Module Objectives:
Upon completion of this module, participants will be able to:
- Identify and implement strategies for managing stress and maintaining well-being.
- Develop and implement effective time management strategies.
- Understand the importance of self-care and identify personal self-care practices.
- Build resilience to navigate the challenges and demands of leadership.
Understanding Stress and its Impact
Reading 1 and 2: “Understanding Stress” and “Reducing Impact”
These readings explore the sources of stress, the impact of stress on individual well-being, and the importance of proactive stress management.
Building Resilience
Reading 3: Circle of Influence
This Powerpoint, from Oxford University, explores a tool developed by Stephen Covey, called the Circles of Influence.
School leaders often grapple with a range of concerns, from urgent tasks to systemic challenges beyond their immediate control. Steven Covey’s concept of “circles of concern” and “influence” provides a valuable framework for navigating these anxieties. The “circle of concern” encompasses all the issues that occupy a leader’s thoughts, including those beyond their control, such as government policies. In contrast, the “circle of influence” represents the areas where a leader can exert some level of control or influence. Focusing energy on the “circle of influence” empowers leaders to be proactive, fostering a sense of agency and reducing feelings of helplessness.
Building resilience is crucial for navigating the complexities of leadership. By cultivating a positive mindset, directing energy towards areas within their control, and prioritising self-care, school leaders can effectively manage stress, bounce back from challenges, and thrive in their roles. A leader’s well-being is paramount. By nurturing their own growth and well-being, school leaders can approach challenges with optimism and determination, ultimately expanding their sphere of influence and creating a positive impact on their school community.
Time Management Strategies
Reading 4: “Managing your Time” – https://www.educationalleaders.govt.nz/Managing-your-school/Guides-for-managing-your-school/Managing-your-time
This reading will explore various time management techniques. Which ideas are most applicable to you?
Self-Care Practices
Task: “My Self-Care Toolkit”
- Reflect on your current self-care practices. What activities do you currently engage in to support your well-being? Use Te Whare Tapa Whā as a framework to help you reflect https://mentalhealth.org.nz/te-whare-tapa-wha
- Identify areas where you could improve your self-care practices.
- Develop a personal self-care plan that includes a variety of activities, such as exercise, mindfulness, spending time in nature, connecting with loved ones, and engaging in hobbies.
- Post your “My Self-Care Toolkit” (a list of your chosen self-care practices) on the online forum for peer feedback and discussion – 150 words or less.
Assessment:
- Completion of all readings.
- Participation in the online forum discussion.
- Reflection on personal self-care practices and development of a personal self-care plan.
46 Responses
My Self-Care Toolkit is about keeping a healthy balance between work and home life so I can show up as my best self. It includes being organised and prepared for classes and other professional responsibilities, so I can meet deadlines without last-minute stress. It also means setting clear boundaries by avoiding mahi at home wherever possible and having a set cut-off time where I step away from devices and switch off from work.
A big focus is prioritising the well-being of myself and my whānau by making time to be present with them, planning special events and occasions, and creating meaningful memories together. Just as important is making space for myself. I value quiet time to recharge and enjoy the things I love, like reading, art, and relaxing while scrolling through Facebook and TikTok feeds from teachers I follow for inspiration and ideas.
Growth Culture Module 3 Self – Care Toolkit
Earlier in my teaching career, in terms of self-care, my family came first; therefore, I had to work hard on balancing school life and family time. I always left Saturday free to enjoy my children as they grew up. Later, when they participated in their sports, kapa-haka, waka ama, and other things they were involved in. I would sit down and ask about their day and if I could support them with their learning. (Homework) As a teacher, I missed out on a lot to do with my own children’s education journey, things like attending prize givings. special assemblies, sport days, or other events as they attended a different school. Time management was the key for school life, keeping to schedules and when school-related work was due in by. I believe if you cannot achieve and accomplish your goals for your classroom children in 5 days, there is always the following week to complete this. I always remind my team to enjoy the weekends with their family and take time for themselves to refresh and recharge their Hauora for the following week. Nowadays, children are all grown; I focus on the things I love to do, like gardening, going to the beach, gathering kaimoana, puha, and watercress, and helping my friends and family. Also, on some occasions attending social events, these personally help me to unwind from school and family life
My self-care toolkit is all about making sure that I get my work done at school and not taking work home during the evenings/ weekends. What has helped the most is having a toddler who just touches and presses all the buttons on my laptop so it makes it difficult to do work at home. The only time I allow myself to take work home is if its making resources as I am able to mindlessly do it while watching a movie. The evenings and weekends are for my family not for work- which is what I expect my team to do as well. I have changed my routine this year (with daycare pick ups/ drop offs) so that I come into school earlier to get mahi done and then leave right after school to spend the afternoon with my son.
I realise I’ve come late to this module – which probably says a lot about my time management skills! Lately I’ve been heavily involved in organising the Palmy Brick Show, a weekend-long LEGO exhibition featuring 140 exhibitors and over 7,100 visitors. As part of a seven-person organising committee, we each knew our roles, delegated where we could, and got things done when they needed doing. Working to deadlines was critical, so a good to-do list that eventually became a to-done list was essential.
I was conscious of when I needed to step forward as a leader and when I needed to be a co-pilot, or even take a back seat and trust others. The need to focus on detail appealed to my sense of purpose—I am a detail person at heart, and 140+ LEGO enthusiasts can be quite particular too! It was a highly stressful period, although much of that pressure came from my own expectations. I have always pushed myself by continually raising the bar, but that is not always healthy. During the event, I often had to remind myself that some things simply sit outside my control. Stephen Covey’s circles of influence and concern were particularly relevant during this time.
When I’m not organising events, LEGO is one of my main ways to unwind. In teaching, we often have great plans and high expectations, yet things do not always fit together the way we hope. Holding those plastic bricks, seeing their potential, and watching them come together exactly as intended is surprisingly therapeutic. It provides a sense of order and accomplishment that can sometimes be hard to find elsewhere—until, of course, there is a “rapid unrequested disassembly” moment!
To look after my physical wellbeing, I need to be mindful of my Crohn’s/IBD. One of my favourite self-care routines is a 45–60 minute walk through a nearby reserve before my wife and children are awake. I have also recently returned to running and have enjoyed noticing the positive changes in my fitness and energy levels. These quiet moments outdoors help me recharge physically and mentally, and remind me that looking after myself is just as important as looking after the people and projects I care about.
Music plays a central part on how I decorate my time and I will usually unwind with music while building, walking or running. My wife can gauge my mood pretty well depending on what I’m playing and will know that it’s safe to come into the ‘buildspace’ if something like Pearl Jam is playing. If I need to just ‘sit’ and ‘be’, then I’m on the couch with episodes of sci-fi, such as Star Trek: Voyager, Babylon 5 or Star Wars.
Navigating this busy season with both my spouse and I working full-time—often late into the evening—while raising teenagers means life is a beautiful, creative juggle. I’ve had to accept that the structured, perfectly planned self-care toolkit that worked for me a few years ago just doesn’t fit our current reality. Instead, I’m learning to embrace flexibility (having the discipline of not ‘talking shop” at home) while fiercely protecting a few daily non-negotiables: connecting family moments, like sharing the day’s highlights over dinner, praying together before bedtime, and sharing the load through our household chore routines.
Personally, my “me time” is anchored in the quiet mornings, savoring a beautiful cup of coffee made by my husband while reading and centering my day in the Word. When time allows (weekends), I fill my tank by walking in nature, listening to audiobooks, or baking. Most recently, I was reminded of how deeply restorative it is to pick up my paintbrushes just for myself, rather than in my role as an art teacher. Being quietly creative, stepping away from technology and demands, and simply stopping to take a few deep breaths in nature are vital and truly powerful for me.
I love your positivity, Annami – the “beautiful, creative juggle” – what a wonderful way of looking at it.
When looking at my self-care toolkit I realised I haven’t strayed far from my origins as a PE teacher – physical fitness is a high priority for me and provides an important outlet to clear my mind and recharge. I’m also a big list writer – particularly prioritising tasks – and find satisfaction in crossing tasks off and feeling productive. Talking with my leadership team is incredibly valuable during stressful times, as it provides support, perspective, and opportunities to problem-solve collaboratively. I have also found professional supervision to be a very useful form of self-care, giving me space to reflect and maintain healthy boundaries. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is also essential in helping me sustain both my wellbeing and effectiveness in my role. Nothing beats getting out into the outdoors to replenish the wairua, even if it’s just a quick walk around the block to escape the air conditioning and computer screens for five minutes.
I love how practical and all encompassing your strategies are, Jess.
My self-care toolkit is centred around having a healthy work-life balance and being purposeful with my time at school. Because I have a young family, I focus on what I can control by being prepared and organised so that my work does not interfere with my time with family. Being ‘Mum’ on the weekends and having active family time out in nature really refills my cup, and reading when I am able helps relax me too.
It is excellent to see how purposely you manage your time at school to protect your family life on the weekends. By prioritising active family time in nature and setting clear boundaries, you are modeling the exact kind of sustainable well-being that all school leaders need.
Recently, my family lost someone young, and it has made me think more seriously about wellbeing and how quickly life can change. My self-care toolkit is about trying to refuel before I am empty. For me, that means getting enough sleep, eating properly, going for walks, and making space to slow down rather than always rushing. I also want to stay connected with whānau and friends, even through small check-ins, because I know I should not carry stress alone. When school feels busy, I am trying to break tasks into smaller steps, set clearer boundaries, and focus on what I can actually influence. Being outside, reflecting, and practising gratitude helps me feel grounded.
My self-care toolkit is focused on routine, balance, and making sure I have time to reset outside of school! During busy periods, I try to stay on top of tasks early, as this is how I work best. I find that by doing things early I have greater clarity and am calmer.
A big part of my wellbeing is spending time doing things I want to do and reducing schoolwork to a absolute minimum on the weekends. This means going to the beach, spending time with friends, exercising etc.
My self-care toolkit is centred around creating a healthy work-life balance and being intentional with my time. I actively try to avoid becoming overwhelmed by completing work in smaller, bite-sized pieces throughout the week rather than letting everything build up. This helps me stay organised and means I can fully enjoy weekends, spend quality time with friends and family, and attend events without feeling stressed by work. Spending time with people I care about, getting outdoors, and having opportunities to switch off are important parts of helping me recharge and maintain balance.
I have also become more aware of the importance of setting boundaries between work and personal life, particularly during busy times of the term. Making time for pilates, walks, travel on the weekends, social events, and simply slowing down helps me maintain perspective and return to work feeling more connected, energised and positive.
My self-care toolkit is really just about being intentional so I don’t end up running on empty. I’m out most mornings running on the beach with the dog; there’s something energising about being the first one on the sand, and it’s easily the best way to start the day.
Balancing family and work life is full on so we make a conscious effort to plan ahead and set family times that are strictly uninterrupted. Whether it’s a family games night or just focused time together, we really try to protect that space. To keep the week from feeling too chaotic, I’m big on meal prepping to save some headspace. I’ve also found that setting clear boundaries is a must. Those evening walks with a friend are my time to decompress from school and reset before heading back into family life. It’s all about being intentional with those outdoor resets and making sure family time stays exactly that—uninterrupted.
Earlier in my teaching career, what worked for me in terms of self-care, was family. I would aim to leave work relatively early to get home and spend time with my young children, playing, feeding, bathing, putting to bed etc. It was a great daily escape from school life for a few hours that reinvigorated me. Once they were in bed, if there was anything work-related that needed attending to, I did it then. I found, and still do, that straight after school I am mentally drained and unable to efficiently focus on school ‘stuff’. That few hours break worked wonders for my concentration. Now my kids are older, I still use that routine, but find other things to do for that ‘break time’. Outside of that some, ‘mindless escapism’ through netflix, books, music allhelp to reset.
As a leader I try to encourage others to find what works for them to ensure there is a balance. Also – Friday after-school drinks with staff-mates is a great way to unwind, decompress, unload and set up for the weekend. It helps to build relationships within the teaching staff away from the school environment and enhances the camaraderie in the staffroom.
My Self-Care Manbag would definitely include coffee and gin, but also a few reminders to protect my wellbeing and effectiveness at work. One key item would represent my “Circle of Influence” — focusing my time and energy on the things I can control, such as my reactions, priorities, and daily schedule, rather than exhausting myself worrying about the wider “Circle of Concern.” Another tool would remind me to use impact-reduction strategies by identifying stress triggers and creating “closed-door” time for deep work to reduce constant cognitive juggling. Effective time management would also feature strongly: moving away from using my inbox as a to-do list and instead breaking large tasks into manageable chunks to avoid procrastination — including finally finishing this blog post! My Manbag would also include fresh air, maybe even walking meetings, and connection with people beyond my computer screen during the day. I like this one – “Education is not an emergency industry, and your health is the foundation of your leadership.”
I think finding effective self-care can take time to develop. In the past I’ve tried to bring in big changes in response to massive overwhelm and those plans of ‘schemes’ never lasts! I like James Clear’s Atomic Habits as a way of thinking about tiny, incremental changes that overtime can have meaningful impacts. For me currently, getting up half an hour before the family so I can have some time by myself is really important. Sometimes I meditate or do deep breathing exercises and sometimes it’s just a longer shower. But having that time right at the start of the day where I’m not rushed or needed by anyone else is grounding and stabilising for me. I also know that I feel better if I can exercise 3-4 times a week. Getting to a gym class afterwork is really helpful in letting go of the stress of the day. Longer term, as some others have mentioned, I like having things on the calendar to look forward to whether it’s a concert, hike, weekend away, comedy show etc. Having something planned to be in nature is also important. Every school holidays I try and plan a solo overnight hike somewhere. I find at the end of the term being away from the demands of work and family life and immersing myself in nature to be incredibly restorative.
My Personal Self-Care Plan
Day Morning Afternoon Evening
Sunday Talk to Partner Overseas Bike Ride/school work Watch a movie/Cook Healthy Meal
Monday 5km run
Tuesday 5km run Cook Healthy Meal
Wednesday 5km run Go for a 30min walk/play chess Relax in hot bath
Thursday 5km run Go for a 30min walk Cook Healthy Meal
Friday 5km run Go for a 30min walk Go out with colleagues
Saturday Visit Mum/Gardening/Church/shopping Walk Kurow Hill/ Clean Relax in a hot Bath
“My Self-Care Toolkit
Within my self-care tool kit I have tried to incorporate the four dimensions of Te Whare Tapa Wha into my lifestyle and schedule. Since I am a ‘proactive’ person I tend to write lists and prioritise my time for those things that need my immediate attention. Sometimes the list of things to do can become long and I am in danger of procrastination and because of this my stress response is usually ‘frozen’. In order to prevent this from happening my list should be short and achievable, written not for the week but for a day at a time. In this way I can then fit my well being around the demands of everyday life and achieve most of the tasks I have on my list. I find mornings best for exercise because I am not tired or mentally spent therefore I have put most of my exercise at this time of the day. In order to remove myself from the workplace environment, I have scheduled some lunchtimes for walks in nature and evenings, once I get home for mental relaxation.”
Using Te Whare Tapa Whā, I reflect on my wellbeing across four interconnected areas. I support my taha tinana by waking at 4am most mornings to run, which not only strengthens my physical health but also gives me quiet time to organise my thoughts and begin the day with clarity. Preparing healthy lunches helps sustain my energy and model positive habits. For taha hinengaro, I prioritise reading as a way to reset and refocus, supporting my ability to manage stress and remain productive. However, I am becoming more aware of the need to balance productivity with genuine rest. I take a family-first approach to taha whānau; when I am home, I am fully present, reading with my children, having meaningful conversations, and protecting this time from technology. Taha wairua is strengthened through maintaining close, long-standing relationships and staying connected with my family back home, which reinforces my sense of identity, belonging, and grounding. Moving forward, I aim to maintain consistency while more deliberately protecting time for rest to sustain balance and resilience in my leadership.
When I think about self‑care, I’ve started looking at it in two ways: where I get care and support from, and where I give care and support to others. It was interesting to realise just how many layers there are, and how much they overlap with each other and also interesting where they dont overlap.
I also journal using the Te Whare Tapa Whā model , and most weeks I jot down how I’ve looked after myself across each of the areas. . A few years ago, as part of a course through Te Whare Wānanga o Raukawa, we were required to do this, and I’ve just carried on with it ever since. It’s become a really useful, regular check‑in with myself – its easy and i can see when one area is being neglected and what I need to straighten up my whare!
I’ve been used Te Whare Tapa Whā to review my self‑care and noticed an interesting pattern. At work, where expectations are clear, I feel relatively calm and at ease — busy, but steady. Outside of work, I often feel rushed or restless, even when I have enough energy.
I’ve realised my default response in that space is to create expectations for myself by planning and organising (to‑do lists for home, work ideas, family plans, etc.). This helps me feel calm and motivated, and I do feel satisfaction when tasks are completed, but the list I created itself is never finished.
Through this reflection, I’ve noticed that talking with someone actually settles me more than getting tasks done. I can complete things and still feel on edge, whereas connection helps my body slow down. It’s also highlighted how much my need to feel competent, reliable, and “on top of things” influences how I use my time, especially outside of work, and how easily self‑care turns back into organising rather than resting.
My self care tool kit involves leaving my school laptop at school so that I don’t over do all the things on my never ending to-do list, rather lets me focus on urgent matters at hand should they arise. I batch cook and freeze every fortnight, so that weeknights and lunches are mostly sorted for our family with healthy homemade food rather than resorting to takeaways when energy levels are running low. For when I need to mentally switch off, I will purposely choose rather ambitious recipes to try or zone out with a computer game. Weekends are for family and friends, whether it be cosy board games or trying out various dessert spots across Auckland. During the summer, I try to clock off early one day after school with my son, to go for a long walk/scooter at the beach followed by ice cream.
Great forward planning Ushanthi!
Your toolkit is filled with highly effective, realistic boundaries that prioritise both your family and your health. Love your practicality, Ushanthi!
As a leader, I’ve found that my effectiveness at school starts with intentional “disconnection.” Living rurally is my greatest anchor; there is something deeply grounding about coming home to the farm every day. Caring for my animals (that seems to keep growing!) provides a physical reset that balances the mental demands of leadership.
My two toddlers are my greatest mindfulness coaches. They constantly remind me to slow down, be present, and celebrate the small, everyday wins that we often overlook.
To protect this space, I try my best to have a “digital boundary.” By intentionally restricting screen time and disconnecting from my phone and laptop, I ensure I am fully present for my family and myself. This balance of rural life, physical farm work, and digital break allows me to return to my school/team each day feeling recharged and ready to support them.
Really like your terms ‘intentional disconnection’ and ‘digital boundaries’ 🙂
My self-care practices are centred on physical and spiritual components, but I try to balance it all out. I swim laps twice a week, and generally go for a run on the remaining days. Music is my spiritual base – I spend a lot of time with my guitar, and I sing at my temple every couple of weeks. This is a really grounding experience for me, and playing music is my escape from the stresses of life. In terms of mental wellbeing, I will spend some evenings with a good book or video game and a hot cup of tea, which lets me put my mind to ease. Although school can be socially draining sometimes, I value spending time with friends – especially a group of us who have grown up together (we all arrived in New Zealand at the same time) and catch up once a month or so. Finally, the more I travel, the happier I am, so I make sure I get one international trip every year, and that also gives me something to look forward to on those days that seem like they won’t end.
Too true – music is a great escape. Fantastic that you have that lasting friendship with your friend group. I’m a big believer in travel, as well. Great way to get perspective sometimes – to see how others live. Plus the food. And culture. And cocktails. People, too.
My self care toolkit includes a wide range of things. I like to decompress with a video game in the evenings, or being crafty and doing some sewing/making something. I like to meet up with friends, and always try to have something booked in with someone when i can. I spend a lot of time with my family, going away camping and disconnecting from the world. I try to keep active and go to the gym, but am often too tired when i come home from school, so that is something i would like to try to focus on more.
Video games are a great escape – any recommendations?
I love how beautifully balanced your activities are, Arima 🙂
My self-care toolkit centers more around taha whānau and taha tinana. I am a busy mum who spends most evenings running around after my boys with their sports leaving little time for ‘me’, however it brings me joy supporting them on the sports field. I try to stick to strict boundaries when it comes to working at home by not working in front of my children, making sure I do it when they are in bed so I can prioritise my time with them. I also value time with friends, so try to catch up with them as much as our lives allow by going out for dinner or watching movies. I enjoy physical activity but my time is limited so when I can I try to go to the gym, go for walks, or play squash. I have been feeling the ‘itch’ to get back into playing indoor netball or football so this is something I would like to explore in the near future. I also belong to a book club so fit reading or listening to these in whenever I can.
Thank you for sharing, Keryn. Your commitment to purposeful time boundaries at home is an excellent strategy for sustaining long-term well-being in leadership.
My self care toolkit is centered around moving my body and exercise. I start my day with F45 and go for a run or walk in the afternoon to decompress from a day of work. I also play football which is a great outlet. I make sure to stay connected to my family and friends, spending time with them regularly. When I am feeling particularly stressed, I book in a massage. In the summer, I spend lots of time at the beach or doing beach walks.
Your routine is a fantastic example of using consistent, daily habits to protect your well-being, Shannon.
Self-care for me includes being active; dog walks, bike riding with my boys, and swimming. Being outside in all types of weather, without a phone so I can fully immerse in conversation with friends or my husband when walk and talking. I work .8 and have one full day off so I make sure those days are not full of planning or housework, but that I am get a chance to connect with family or friends, create something or be active. Being in or near water is important for my wellbeing. We try to get to lake Taupo or to Ngawi at least once or twice throughout the term to refresh. Also having something in the calendar a trip, gathering or event gives you something to look forward to. If I have a particularly stressful day, the ones where you feel overwhelmed and over it, I find a face mask, hot bath and a cup of tea helps. Though this is only surface self-care, it is valuable at the time.
So encouraging to hear you are working part-time and are actually managing to have that day not full of planning or housework. I work part-time too, but my day off seems to disapear a bit among the ‘to-do’ list items – from my educational work, as well as household, kids, BnB, and all the other little and big responsibilities in life. I should focus more on actually having some unplanned time on that day (not my strong side ;))
Thanks for your comment Maaike, please know there is definitely life admin and planning on those days. I just try to make sure I have one or two activities that are not school or house focused. Something that directly impacts my own wellbeing. I encourage you to see if you can find a moment in the day to do something that is just for you.
Yes, your post has given me some extra motivation. I have ‘told myself’ that one life/home thing on Friday is enough. Hopefully this will leave me time to do something for me – Last Friday I managed to go to the gym and clean toilets. Haha, great day!
I know what you mean about being near water – I also find that being around water elevates my mood, clarifies my thinking a lot more than any other environment. Can’t beat a good beach with nice blue waters or a waterfall.
My selfceare is more so centred around the physical and mental aspects, however, the activities I do have the follow on effect to the other areas. This is a focus on exercise during the week regularly and always meal prepping so when things get busy I don’t forget to eat. This looks like walking my dog most mornings, going to a kickboxing gym and trying to cook new things. One thing I have been working on is finding activities that are not high intensity as I found that going from work to these heightened activities can keep me working at a high level and I often don’t feel rested or calm. I am lucky that my work and social life keeps me energised. Like most, the social connection from school and from the gym keeps my cup fill, so I try to make sure I don’t fall into not seeing my regular group of friends to maintain connections.
My self-care toolkit centers around making intentional and consistent decisions and routines to promote and nurture my overall well-being. I aim to keep things in balance, which at times can be complicated.
To support my taha tinana, my physical health I walk daily, try and get to the gym 3-4 times a week in the mornings before work to set my day up doing something just for myself, and I play Sunday hockey. I have developed the habit of meal prepping on a Sunday evening to ensure I make healthy choices with breakfast and lunch that I take to work.
I try to support my mental & emotional wellbeing, taha hinengaro, by having regular time and staying connected with my whānau and mates, and by setting boundaries around the demands of work and my career. I love the beach, being outside in nature, sports, theatre, reading and ‘down’ time, delicious food and beautiful wines.
My whenua and taha wairua connection is to the ocean, the bush, and our farmland. Being outside, enjoying nature and the weather soothes my soul. I love water – being on it, in it, under it and by it; and I love hiking and tramping. My place of belonging is with my family – my husband and kids; my extended family, and my circle of mates. When everything combines at the bach in the Coromandel, life is ka pai. My ‘family & social’, taha whānau, ties in with my whenua.
I have also been more purposeful with nurturing my workplace wellbeing – setting boundaries, delegating, and supporting the team to have confidence in their abilities, and not defaulting to the leadership team.
My self-care toolkit centres on intentionally and consistently nurturing my overall well-being. Physically, I begin each day with a morning walk with my dog and aim to visit the gym three to four times a week. At home, my son Joe is an excellent cook, so my wife Jenny, Joe, and I enjoy mostly healthy, home-cooked meals together each evening. The conversations around the table also provide a wonderful opportunity to wind down and relax. For my mental health, I make time to read, particularly books on literacy and classroom teaching strategies that inspire and inform me. I’m also a Star Trek fan and enjoy watching and rewatching the films. Spiritually, as a Christian, I attend church every Sunday. There, I connect with God through worship and build meaningful relationships with others in the community.This balanced approach helps me stay energised and fulfilled in all areas of life.
My self-care toolkit is about deliberately taking time for myself. For my physical health, I walk my hyperactive dogs each day, and I go to either hot mat pilates or yoga each evening. I also literally set alarms (much to my classes delight) to remind me to drink water. I also use My Food Bag to ensure that my eating is clean, and it also saves me time not having to go to the supermarket after work, or spend hours in my weekend meal prepping. For my mental well-being, I prioritise 8 hours sleep. I read a lot, and I am an avid Rugby League supporter and spend time coaching from my couch and attending home games for the Wahs. I also have a regular brunch date with my girlfriends on a Saturday once every 4 weeks, and I love spending time with family and friends at our beach property up North. For my spiritual side, I love to spend as much time as possible on, in or surrounded by the Ocean. I also like to take regular walks/hikes in nature to turn off the noise.
The remembering to drink water is a tricky one for me too, along with the consequences of drinking all that water during teaching time. Having dogs definitely forces you to get those steps in, even when energy levels or weather might indicate otherwise. Perhaps that’s what I need in my life, a hyper active dog or two.
My self-care toolkit is about making sure I’m looking after all parts of myself. For my physical health, I try to get out for regular walks and keep my meals on track using Woop so I’m actually eating well. For my mental wellbeing, I carve out time to read—it helps me slow down and switch off a bit. Staying connected is important too, so I make sure I’ve got visits home planned and time booked in with friends. Getting up to the bach at Ahipara is a big one—it’s where I properly relax and reset. Then there’s the more personal side of things—being in nature, spending time with people I care about, and having those quieter moments helps me feel grounded. It’s nothing fancy, just small, consistent things that help me stay balanced.