There’s an unspoken rule in teaching that you have to earn your rest.
That you have to work yourself to the point of exhaustion before you’re allowed to pause.

That mindset is exactly what leads teachers straight into burnout.

If you’ve ever wondered, How do I actually prepare for January in a way that lets me rest—without burning myself to the ground to “deserve” it?
That’s exactly what we’re covering today.

The Common Problem: Teachers Crash Into Winter Break Exhausted

Every year, teachers drag their tired bodies into winter break barely hanging on.

• Overworked trying to catch up

• Overextended trying to get ahead

• Overwhelmed trying to “finish strong”

Then break arrives... and instead of resting, teachers spend the entire break compensating for the exhaustion they’ve accumulated all semester.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

The Mindset Shift: Rest Is Productive When You Set Yourself Up for Success

I had this epiphany a few years into teaching.
I realized I felt shame letting myself rest.
I sabotaged my own time off by giving myself more work.

Deep down, I didn’t feel comfortable resting because I believed rest had to be earned.

But rest is not a reward.
Rest is your right.

And when you prepare ahead of time—calmly, intentionally—you create space for yourself to rest without guilt.
Because you are worthy of rest just as you are.

3 Ways to Prep for January From a Relaxed State

These strategies aren’t about hustling harder—they’re about working smarter so you can walk into winter break knowing January is already handled.

1. Lesson Batching

Sit down once and plan multiple lessons at a time.
Use a Pomodoro timer (25 minutes on, 5 minutes off) to keep the planning light and manageable.

Batching allows you to:

• Stay focused

• Avoid context switching

• Get ahead without the stress

Plan as far as you comfortably can in the time you have.

2. Prep Batching

Once lessons are planned, prep everything in one go.

• Copies

• Materials

• Centers

• Slides

This is the exact system I used when planning for maternity leave—and it works just as well before a long break.

3. Set Time Aside to Review Routines & Procedures

January always requires a reset.
Students need reminders on:

• Hand-raising

• Lining up

• Callbacks

• Transitions

• Classroom expectations

Use the classic procedure teaching cycle:

1. Model the right way

2. Discuss

3. Model the wrong way

4. Discuss

5. Practice

If you want this already done for you, my Classroom Procedure Slides make this step effortless.

How This Sets You Up for Success in January

When you walk into January with 1–2 weeks fully planned and prepped, you start the year with momentum.

Then it becomes simple to stay ahead:

• Week 1 back → prep Week 3

• Week 2 back → prep Week 4

You’re always two weeks ahead without working nights or weekends.

And the best part?
You do not have to work over break.
You will have earned your rest simply by planning with intention now.

Wrap Up

Here’s what we covered today:

• The common problem: teachers crash into winter break exhausted.

• The mindset shift: rest is productive when you prepare for success.

• Three simple ways to prep now—lesson batching, prep batching, and routine resets.

• How small, intentional preparation saves hours in January and keeps you ahead without burnout.

You deserve a break that actually feels like rest. And you can create that reality—without overworking to “earn” it.

Next Steps for Teachers

If you want support building the systems that make teaching easier, lighter, and more sustainable:

• Join the Book Waitlist & Free Training – Get early access + learn the systems that saved my career.

• Download the Prep Guide – Learn how to plan ahead without the overwhelm.

• Explore The Present Teacher Circle – My membership that helps teachers build sustainable systems all year long.