I DID SOMETHING CRAZY!

So, if you have been a follower of mine since I started this website back in September -- then you know I have only had 1 or 2 posts since then. I mean, what was I thinking starting a new website and blog the first week of school? I digress. 

I have always loved having my Etsy shop, but if you're anything like me, when you find a shop that you love and keep going back to for things, you sometimes want to see the "behind the scenes" stuff. You know, get to know your sellers and learn about their processes and/or how they use their own products. So that's why I started this website! To be more personal. But, news flash! I actually have to find the time to post things. And I was just drowning. This, plus teaching, plus my work on Design Bundles, plus my TpT store, plus my Etsy shop, AND my two sweet daughters and my husband (who just went back to work last week since the pandemic). SOS!! 

This year was incredibly hard on teachers. Well, on everyone, really. It wore me out. It made me realize that I needed a break. Truly, for my mental health I HAVE to take a break. So I did it. I actually did it. I left the classroom that I've been in for 6 years and now I get to stay home. For a year? Forever? I have no idea right now and I'm ok with it! I do know one thing. This is the first day of my new "staying home" gig and I am in heaven. I got up at 5am, had my coffee, and already have posted 2 new products and now this blog post. I already feel better. 

Please don't get me wrong. I LOVE LOVE LOVE being a teacher. But I can only be a great teacher if I take care of myself first. I was beginning to get way too distracted with everything I had going on and I couldn't focus on just one thing. I could literally hear the clock ticking and counting down when I had SO MANY THINGS on my to-do list and never enough time to do them. It would not be fair for my future classroom full of kids NOR would it be fair to me to continue on to the next school year without taking a step back for a bit. 

I could go on and on about my reasons behind leaving the classroom after so many years, but I really don't think I need to do that. I need a break and that's just all there is to it. I think there are so many wonderful teachers out there that get burned out and keep going. And that can really take a toll on their mental health -- as well as their performance in the classroom, and I know it isn't always possible to take a break. I feel incredibly fortunate that I am able to take a step back for right now. I am so thankful. 

So, raise your class (or coffee mug) along with me as I say CHEERS to the next chapter! I am so happy to be back here! 

I have a new product that I am testing out this week on the blog... my shiny new "Camp Rules" SVG that I am using to make a camping bucket (not like for toilet use, ew)!! It's a "glow bucket" and it really is super cute....because WE'RE GOING CAMPING in two weeks! More on that later...

Come back this week to see my camp bucket in action!