Experienced Male Primary School Teacher new job riddled with anxiety

[Guest_9632]

Hello,

So this year my family and I made a sea change and moved to a new coastal town with a new job to boot. After working for 15 years in the same school where I was very comfortable, I’m now struggling to cope with the new surrounds and routines of my new school. I’m now on anti deps, speak with a counselor and booked in for a psych (September was the earliest!)

There is no doubt the big change of moving my family into new surrounds is what’s causing this anxiety and I do acknowledge this. I just can’t help over thinking everything I do and am actually fearful of what my colleagues think. I also now work in a open classroom with 2 other classes which is so foreign to me too. I’m use to my own room with 4 walls where I’m in control and can handle the surrounds. That’s all gone now and I’m at odds with dealing with it.

At the end of the day I’m trying to get help, speak about it, my current school are supportive and I have even taken time off. But I’m still struggling to deal with the anxiety and over think so many things, especially on a Monday morning. I just don’t feel like my older self all. No doubt changing schools at the end of the year is an option but it feels so far off. I just need tips to revive the pressure and constant anxiety now.

Any advice would be invaluable. 🙂

[Guest_9632]

Seriously, what amazing support. I'm truly blown away! Thankyou so much.

Today was an up and down day. Got going eventually, pretty flat and tired and struggled to get though the morning. In class had very low motivation, was very flat. But I kept saying to myself, sometimes you just have a bad day. Got through until lunch and felt better afterwards. Was a struggle but got through another day.

Spoke with a leadership member after school whom said he'd like to have a further personal chat about my anxiety. Really feel the support is there. My boss is stand offish but I might be over thinking that too. Principals have a very tough job, I wouldn't want it. But the deputy principal who approached me has a good lending ear. I'm looking forward to chatting with him (scheduled for Thurs afternoon).

Anyway got through the day, had a nice dinner and hung out with my young fam. About to get into bed with a cuppa and some meditation. Still going to persist with the magnesium. Hopefully a better nights sleep is on the cards. Breakfast and lunch organised for tomorrow, along with what I'm wearing. It's a planning day so hopefully is beneficial. I get anxious during these sessions but trying to approach it with a positive frame of mind.

Thanks again everyone. Please keep chatting. I feel it's a part of my arsenal now in dealing with this ongoing anxiety.

Night. 🙂

[Petal22]

Hi Guest 9632,

Happy to give you support:-) I believe I came through the other side of my mental illness so I could help others with theirs....

I found when I had severe anxiety the mornings were always the worst as the day progressed it get a lot better....

eventually your good days will out weigh your bad days.... I’d always tell myself tomorrow will be a better day if I was having a bad one...

im sure your work place will want to support you... I hope all goes well....

I hope your planning day goes well..... 🙂

keep pushing forward.... 💪

[Guest_9632]

Thankyou so much Petal22.

had another Rocky night, but was because of my kids, not the anxiety. I guess that’s a win. Slept through for 5 hours which is the longest for a while. About to get going for the day. Not feeling as anxious, just tired. Have to keep moving.

Enjoy your day and chat soon. Please keep discussions going guys, they really do help. Would love to hear from any teachers out there too.

Kind regards

[Annas1]

Bravo Guest_9632,

you are putting so many supportive thinking and action tools into practice. This is looking after yourself in the best way in the midst of adversity. True admiration!

Having the support of the DP will be important, I'm so pleased for you that the response you got was so positive. An experienced leader will recognise the stress involved in big changes and new roles and will provide encouragement and kindness as you persevere through the tougher times and build your confidence and ease.

May the day go well.

Annas1

[white knight]

This thread might help

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/staying-well/the-best-praise-you'll-ever-get

TonyWK

[Petal22]

Hi Guest 9632,

Awesome to hear you had 5 straight hours sleep:-) That’s great you weren’t feeling to anxious this morning...

how did your day go?

[Guest_9632]

Thanks again everyone for the amazing responses. You feel closer to me then what you really are (physically) and it is so comforting.

Petal22, I had a pretty good day. Was tired at the start but got going. Planning day went well and I'm slowly building my confidence back. Still having my moments but they aren't happening as often.

Was a long day with meetings going until well after 5:00. Home now, had dinner by myself for the first time in a long time as my wife and kids have been out celebrating a cousins bday. So as we speak, sittin with a cuppa, listening to the rain on the roof, with morning prepared (lunch/ bfast, clothes ready). Have read over my planner for tomorrow and about to write down my list of gratitude for the day. Have been doing this before my mediation and cup of tea. Gets me to sleep really well, just hoping for a longer more restful one.

Thanks again everyone. Will check in again tomorrow. Peace and love!

[Petal22]

Hi Guest 9632,

Thats great that you had a pretty good day today 😊 sounds very positive! That’s wonderful that your confidence is building back up....

You will be able to look back on this time of your life, in time and see how far you have come 😊...... I believe our struggles are here to make us not break us....... we grow so much from them...

I understand how it’s nice to have a bit of time to yourself...... listening to the rain..... that’s wonderful mindfullness......

When I was going through my anxiety I’d sometimes popped down to the local cafe on my own to have a coffee..... just having that me time for half an hour really helped.....

Gratitude is great that’s great that you do that...... I also practice this every day it really puts things into perspective the simple things in life are the best ...

I hope you have a good sleep and good day tomorrow 😊

[Guest_9632]

So I’ve hit a wall this morning. Anxiety heightened. Over thinking things. Tired. Counting days to weekend. Really struggling. Once again a teachers life is relentless and I’ve got to put on a smile. Kids sense my anxiety too. Hope I can get through. 😮

[white knight]

Hi guest

"Over thinking things"... that's the problem.

You're in a cyclone...need to remove that wind and turmoil.

How?. One thought at a time. One child's question at a time.

If someone expects more from you say "My other speed is slower".

Surely there is opportunity to laugh at children? Then laugh.

Play soothing music like YouTube maharaji sunset .... YouTube pan flute the Prince of Equador

chill, relax and when you do, what is the worse consequence? The world won't fall in!

Watch a new collect nectar, have a picnic on a hill at sunset and go window shopping.

TonyWK