159. You’re Allowed to Have a Life During the School Year
Aug 11, 2026
Every August, teachers make the same promise to themselves: this year, I'm going to leave work on time. This year, I'm going to protect my time for myself and my family. And every year, that promise starts slipping the moment the calendar fills back up.
In this episode, I'm getting into why "just set better boundaries" isn't the full answer — and what it actually takes to build a life that doesn't disappear every fall and reappear every summer. We talk about the difference between static and dynamic systems, why the routine that worked two weeks ago might already be failing you, and how I'm learning to build systems around a life that includes cheer, soccer, work, school, and a family schedule that never looks the same two weeks in a row.
This is the first in a series on the systems that support your life outside the classroom — so if you've ever felt like your life gets put on pause from August to May, this one's for you.
TOPICS COVERED:
- Why "give yourself permission to have a life" isn't enough without the systems to support it
- The difference between static systems and dynamic systems — and why most home routines need to be the second kind
- Why treating friction as failure keeps you stuck, and what to do instead
- How to build a Home and Life System that flexes with your actual season, not an idealized one
- A real look at how meal planning, transportation, and household load shift when the calendar changes
- Why "waiting for the next break" quietly builds a life where you're always postponing your own
RELATED RESOURCES:
- This episode is sponsored by: 99math : Looking for a fast, easy way to build math fluency without adding to your prep time? 99math turns math practice into a live, game-based competition your students will actually beg to play. Teachers can launch a game in seconds, track real-time progress, and watch engagement (and math confidence) climb — all without extra grading or planning. Try 99math for free today at teachingmindbodyandsoul.com/99math and see why teachers are calling it their favorite five-minute warm-up.
- Watch the FREE "Balance before Burnout: Work/Life Balance Audit" Mini-workshop
- Take the FREE Teacher Burnout Roadmap to Burnout Recovery Quiz
CONNECT WITH BRITTANY:
- Connect with Brittany on Instagram @itsbrittanyblackwell
- Learn more on TikTok with Brittany @itsbrittanyblackwell
- Connect with The Resilient Teacher Community - FREE on Facebook
RELATED EPISODES:
- Ep 146: Why Summer Break is Not Going to Get You Out of Burnout
- Ep 148: 3 Ways to Stress Less Starting this Summer & Beat Burnout Next School Year
MORE ABOUT THE RESILIENT TEACHER PODCAST:
The Resilient Teacher Podcast is the show that will give overwhelmed educators the support, tools, and mindset to reduce teacher burnout and keep teaching sustainable. Each week, Brittany Blackwell, M.Ed. & her guests will share inspiration and actionable steps to avoid or recover from the dreaded teacher burnout.
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Hey, y'all! I'm Brittany!
