Deal with the Stress

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” – John Lubbock

It seems like the best way to deal with stress is to try and address what is stressing you out. It is true that we should try to make sure we take care of things that cause us stress, but what if it is an issue that cannot be dealt with quickly or at all? I have a stressful job. I am an elementary school teacher in a high need Title I school in North Carolina. My job is stressful. If it was just students, then it might not be that bad. Everything that has happened in education for the last 3 years has made everything more complicated. The pandemic didn’t do education any favors. Having to deal with parents, administrators, other teachers, and being short staffed are things that I cannot control, but have to deal with on a daily basis. How do I deal with stress? I do a few different things. I prioritize rest. I make sure that I get enough sleep, and that I take time to relax. I take the time to express myself through writing, videos, and photography. I also make sure that I exercise as often as possible. There will always be reasons to be stressed, but if I take the time to invest in myself, then I am prepared for when stress happens.

One thing I can rarely predict is the weather, especially when it comes to the wind. One of my favorite kinds of photos to take is water reflection shots. It only works when it is a clear day with sun, and there is no wind. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does the photos turn out amazing. Like these from Marshall Park in Charlotte. Marshall Park is a small urban park in Uptown Charlotte. It is frequently used for protests and community gatherings. It’s a great park to just come and hang out, and has a great view of Uptown Charlotte. One the right day, the buildings are perfectly reflected in the water.