Absolutely brilliant video - so full of truth! This is what teachers need to hear when facing burnout, not to just do self-care. I love how this video ties in nicely with your podcasts and elaborates on the key points. I will be sharing this video with my whole third grade team!

Who disliked this video! This is some sage advice that goes for all of us no matter what profession you're in! Well said, Michelle!

I don't know you will see the comment or not but i had message am from egypt and i love all your videos help alot .am math teacher and when i see your video really i feel postive energy i got and organized ideas come to my mind you are like light to things i didn't see it thank you alot

Great video! Really needed this. I am a pandemic teacher. I earned my masters degree in teaching in May of this year and started teaching in August. I also started coaching for the first time this year (a huge mistake). This is probably the worst time to become a new teacher... I have questioned myself about choosing this career multiple times. Somehow I survive everyday and that is what I am thankful for.

You completely helped me feel so much better today! When you talked about glass balls versus plastic ones, I was literally crying in the shower from being so overwhelmed. I felt that so hard. But when you explained that lord of things are hard and we get to choose our hard, it’s like a beam of light came in and I felt so relieved. Many people talk about teacher self care and work/home balance but it has never resonated like this video. Thank you so much!! ❤️

Thank you so much for telling me exactly what I needed to hear. This has been the hardest “Season” of my (life) teaching career; I had knee surgery because of a work injury (chasing a run away student), lost a beloved pet, finishing grade school, youngest son is graduating HS, 26 yr old son moved back home, and worst thing my mother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. All this while being a single parent and teaching Special Ed. I’ve been so stressed and behind in everything. This advice is golden! Thank you again and keep up the great work!!

Thank you for this well-timed video, Michelle. I think you’ve really found your calling in helping teachers stay organized and find balance. I just love you so much!

This video came at the perfect time! I am currently in the middle of full time student teaching, while doing edTPA, and having a night class! I am currently stressed to the max, so this video was the perfect reminder on how to stay balanced! Thank you so much!

Every point here was a gem! Thank you so much for the reminder that we're human :)

Lots of good advice in this video. I am a veteran teacher (26th year) and I have been through lots of seasons. The hardest season was when my kids were young. I really had to learn to let things go and that it was ok to let them go.

This really needs a LOVE button! I definitely needed to hear this as I return to school tomorrow after having my third child and entering back into a new grade. It's very helpful so I can loosen the grip that guilt has on me when choosing to do something for my students and for my hubby and kids. Very well explained. I will be praying of how to have a balanced mindset to help me become more successful with the classroom workload and the home workload.Thank you Michelle!

Thank you so much for posting this video! I really needed this. As a first year teacher, it is very difficult prioritizing what is essential to me and my down time and what is expected of me at work, and how much effort I need to put it in without being too burnout at the end of the day.

You definitely got me feeling motivated instead of overwhelmed with this video. I’m about 6 months pregnant with my first child, and the daunting feeling that I KNOW everything is going to change and get chaotic but not necessarily HOW yet is one of the most overwhelming feelings I’ve ever experienced. I want to be prepared, but don’t even know how to fully be prepared until I experience my child, and by then the major changes will have already happened. Talk about priorities shifting in different seasons of life! Lol

Fantastic! As a longtime teacher (now retired, but tutoring part time) I watch our dear daughter (a teacher) with 2 young sons and a great husband, juggling every day. You did a wonderful job offering advice and attributing the glass vs. plastic analogy to the author, as well as sharing your own experiences as a teacher, wife, entrepreneur, and more. You’re wise beyond your years. You really nailed this, Michelle! Bravo, and thank you!

I think this is a great reminder for all of us! Thank you Michelle for these reminders! I know I personally have struggled lately with balance (I’ve struggled with the transition between seasons)! The last three months of the year are the hardest for me!

Appreciate how authentic and real and honest you are. This balance we seek does take work. Thank YOU for putting in the work to help teachers everywhere!

I found this super helpful, thanks Michelle. The glass ball, plastic ball analogy particularly resonates with me.

Good morning, thank you for the great inspiration! I’m 11 yrs from retirement and you hit the mark. Balance is key I wish during my early yrs I had someone to give that great advice. For me working out is a glass ball for me. I don’t cancel that at ALL. People just don’t get it! Great content 😀

I think this is my favourite of your videos. Wise, direct and incredibly helpful 💛

Such sage advice, Michelle. From someone who has made quite a few more trips around the sun, just remember some seasons are longer than a few weeks or months. Taking care of your physical and mental health, like you said, is key to going the long haul with some seasons. They WILL change in time. Thank you for sharing!!! ❤

I love this video so much! It should be renamed how to balance work and life. Not only is it great for teachers, but it is great for everyone who is struggling to find the right balance in life. I love it so much! I definitely needed this, as I am going through a huge transitions in my life right now. Thank you so much!!! I am so glad I found your channel!

Perfect timing Michelle, my school starts back tomorrow and it was the longest term ever, I’ve never felt so burnt out in my entire life, so thank you for this🥰

I love the quote that you shared at the beginning. I am an A-Level student in England and have so many deadlines for coursework and assessments approaching, as well as classwork and homework to catch up on, because of a recent subject change. This had made prioritising very difficult, but it’s given me a different perspective, which is really going to help going in to the second half of the school term. 😃

First year teacher here! I needed this. Thank you so much!

This may be your best non-tech video. Good advice with great analogy, explanations and personal examples.

Thank you. It was really helpful, especially right now when schools were suddenly closed here due to a rapid surge of Covid cases. So many unexpected changes that leads to unstable grounds and teachers need to seek balance more than ever.

I needed this! My husband went to the hospital August 8 with C-19 pneumonia. On the vent for 56 days and is finally coming home this week. I started my FIRST year of teaching August 16. This year has been a huge struggle trying to figure out balance between the 2. Not to mention grad school and other regular life duties. Thank you for this reminder. LOVE the glass ball analogy.

OMG I have been teaching one whole year nonstop. I taught a remote class of 40 students, summer school 15, and now 32. Am burnt out but the one thing that is burning me out is that am teaching an ICT class. I was searching youtube for something and what came up - this video. I sat down and listened to all your ideas about establishing balance. It was the right message at the right time. You are GOD sent. I needed this message. Thank you so much. From one Michele to another Michelle.

Thank you so much, Michelle. Your video helped me feel less guilty about not getting to everything on my list every day.

I SO Desperately needed this video. Thank you for sharing. I love your channel! 💕 Sincerely, A tired teacher

Thanks a lot...your words are precious!! Don't stop..ever..Ciao from Tuscany, Italy

A huge thank you for the awesome video, especially the quote about the glass and plastic balls!

Wow, thank you for the wisdom you shared here. It brought clarity to what I've been attempting to do. The quote & analogies were spot on for helping me see the direction I need take as I seek my own balance. Until now balance has eluded me & this helped me understand why - my perspective of what balance is was off. This video will be an anchor for me moving forward in my balance journey. Greatly appreciate what you shared☺☺☺

Thank you!! This makes so much more sense than some of the perspectives I’ve tried to adhere to!!

Thanks for this video Michelle. Im not a teacher and still feel like this is a great video for many professions. I think this is one of your best. Love your content. Keep doing what you are doing.

Thank you!! This makes so much more sense than all the other things I’ve heard all my life!!

Nice insight from a good juggler! I like that you hit so many key parts of balance. I find teachers are often among the worst at establishing priorities and maintaining them! Thanks for a great reminder!

This is SO GOOD!!! Thanks so much for this real, relatable advice for this crazy career we call TEACHING! 🙏💝

Michelle, thank you for these amazing videos! You support and inspire so many teachers that need this everyday!

This was a good reminder...self care without it being a bandaid.

I love this because my sobriety and AA are glass balls and plastic balls are family and friends I'm celebrating 2 years sober next month and it's been an amazing ride

When you said that list of things I was like "Wonder Woman!" Also, YES to the glass/plastic balls. I just used this with my husband because he's struggling with leaving work at work. I'm going to add this to my Future Teacher Playlist that I can look back on when I'm about to start teaching. It's getting close!! You've given me a lot of help so far through your videos so thank you for that, too. :)

Thank you!!!! I needed this!! There is so much going on and I think the gym is a must especially there is a lot I cannot control with a very difficult school I am having in the classroom and all. I have a severe behavior in my classroom and many are providing support, but it is too much mentally so I have to make the gym a "glass ball" then I can keep moving forward!

It's like you're right here with me! Great timing and advice as always Michelle!! ❤

I shared this out on my Facebook:) Thank you so much for creating this video.

what a great video! I always thought working out was something that made me feel guilty for taking time for myself. but i finally realized that i wont be as successful if i don't make that time. and i have made it a priority....cant tell you what wonders it has done for me!

The part about the balls had me in tears. Thank you.

Awesome advice, Michelle, for new and experienced educators and just great advice for anyone. Keep up the great work!

I've been feeling really burnt out recently thank you for these reminders!

I love this so much. Thank you!

Even after 20 years I struggle with balance, so I think this was so good for all teachers, new and old. Thanks!

Thank you so much Michelle. Our entire school is in transition this year. We have new administrators and they’ve have been throwing “balls” at us from day one. It’s nice to think of’ ‘‘em as glass and plastic now. Going forward, I will survive to the end of the semester. 😅 Thanks again you’re so awesome!

Oh my goodness! What great analogies you have here Michelle! Thank you for the ideas of how to figure out priorities, and the grace to give myself in the transitional time I've been going through. I honestly kept thinking I was losing my mind and couldn't figure out what the big deal was. Why everything felt so crazy when it didn't seem that big. Choosing balance is also a great analogy in realizing if we are going through transitional period after transitional period. If a person just comes out of a transition and immediately goes into another transitional period. We need some time to adjust and continual adjustments mean that balance in the basics of our routine need to be firmly put into place. So that those things are not rocking around in the storms.

This is an excellent video, thank you!

Hi Ms. Michelle, I've been your subscriber from PH since your classroom preps, moving school until here. Thank you for this video, I have been stressed due to this online setup. Just want to say Thank you for this, I badly needed this. I will be sharing this with my teacher friends. All the love!

Great video. I'm definitely in a transition period and it feels like this whole school year will be a transition season. I keep reminding myself that it is OK! To acknowledge that and enjoy the times were it feels more balanced.

Really really good!!! Wow, I was needing this!

Thank you, Michelle! I needed this.

Thank you so much for sharing your journey since you’ve taken a break from teaching. I’ve just started listening to your podcast also i have just finished listening to the Burn out series. I took a month off work recently with stress and after reading your email I realised that it was burnout that I was feeling. Exhausted by the constant demands on me personally but mostly work related the unrealistic goals being set, I was becoming work obsessed and needed to use too much of my families time to stay on top of my workload, and never being given a chance to get a jump on the next year, next term or even the next week ! All because of the systemic challenges at my college that I have to face weekly. I’m back in the classroom now but I am still on a journey to ensure I get the balance right and prioritising my important glass balls. After 20 yrs of teaching I don’t want to bring work home with me anymore - if I can’t get it done in the hours they pay me for then I’m not going to give them any for free. I can see how passionate you are about helping fellow educators and I thank you so much for it ❤️❤️

I love this approach! Thank you so much for sharing. Your videos are always helpful and I enjoy watching.

Love the Glass and Plastic balls analogy. Plastic ball right now is family time and grad school. Glass ball right now is figuring out questions I have for my PhD program or wanting my Masters like Taking Chem, Biochem, and Genetics. My plastic is doing my Youth Ministry and how I can still make the transition between Youth Ministry and Genetics. I love the paddle board analogy as well

I really needed this today! It's been rough this year and I feel like I do in March now and it's only October. :)

Great video! Very helpful advice.

Retired teacher here. I think that in general, teachers are very good at creating far too many plastic balls that easily overwhelm us. When I look back on the amount of time I spent on making a lot unnecessary work for myself, I can't help but cringe. I had to ask myself if what I was doing was really a benefit for the students and would make a difference at all, or was I simply doing it for appearances. (An example would be spending a lot of time, energy and money on a gift project for the students to make for Mother's Day, when something much simpler would have sufficed.) When I look back on my 36 years in the classroom, what I remember most with my students are the things that didn't go according to my best-laid plans, but worked out beautifully in the end anyway. I guess you'd call them those serendipitous moments that stay with you. The trick is to let them happen.

Inspirational as always.

I love that quote from Nora Roberts!

Such a good video! I needed to hear it! Thanks ❤️

It's been a while since I've watched your videos ( very focused on finishing my bachelor's) and I'm so glad to be back !!! Love you ! BTW... Your hair looks AMAZING 🤩🤩🤩

Thank you so much.

Right on time!

This video couldn't have come at a better time. The glass ball and plastic ball analogy is brilliant. I realized that I never understood "balance", but you helped me so much! I think I am going to make a list each day of glass balls and plastic balls. Love it!!! :) Thank you! Ps. Also your movie/show clips to go along with certain parts of the video, are hilarious!!

One of your best videos ever.

I love it. Thanks a lot, Michelle. Greetings from Belgium

This was the video I needed this week!

You are so beautiful and right on point at the perfect time in my life! Thank you❤

Wow! Loved this video as much, if not more than others. 100% on target.

Love this!!! I might even use it as a lesson since kids these days are all feeling so overwhelmed! Great lessons for all “seasons of life” ;)

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 just what I needed. Thank you.

Thank you for you tips because we teachers are always super busy and no time🙄🙄🙄

Such a great video

I wish my district would present you at our PDs! Your'e So smart!

I love your hair

Ah yes, the video I needed to see!

Excellent

Hey - love this ! Can you do weeks in my life

Big LIKE 🌼😄

What about social life what do you do for this period with friends x

I've never clicked a video so fast!! I'm a full time school librarian in TWO SCHOOLS, a part time twitch streamer/content creator, AND I'm in grad school still. It's so much. Please help lmao!

Hey

Hi ya please reply!

Are you going to teaching

Excellent

Big LIKE 🌼😄