It’s almost the start of a brand new school year, and for me…New is my reality.

New grade level…Check!

New teammates….Check!

New classroom…Check!

New standards…Check!

New curriculum…Check!

I won’t lie to you–it is a lot. And maybe you are feeling it too.

“New” Feels Like a Fresh Start…and a Heavy Lift!

There’s something exciting about stepping into something new. New routines, new ideas, new chances to grow. But new also means unknown. It means discomfort. It means the learning curve feels like a curvy mountain road.

And if you’re already feeling tired before you even begin…yeah, me too!

But here is what I am holding onto…

This year, I’m trying to reframe “new.” Not as something I have to master right away. Not as something scary or overwhelming. But as something that gives me permission to reset.

This year new means:

~New boundaries: I am working on not bringing work home at night.

~New grace: I won’t beat myself up for not knowing everything on day one.

~New habits: Tiny changes that protect my peace.

~New mindsets: It is okay if this feels hard. It doesn’t mean I am failing.

So if you are facing new too…

You don’t have to have it all figured out.

You don’t have to have Pinterest-perfect-plans or color-coded units or 20 years of experience in your pocket.

You just have to keep showing up, one brave, messy human day at a time.

You are allowed to be a beginner.

You are allowed to ask for help.

You are allowed to take breaks.

You are allowed to protect your energy.

And just because everything is new, doesn’t mean you have to be a “new you.” The you that you are today, imperfect, uncertain, maybe a little tired, that version is enough to start with.

So here’s to a year full of new. New challenges. New laughter. New lessons, And hopefully, new joy, too.

Let’s just take a deep breath and begin!