My first winter break as a teacher, I didn’t get out of bed for three days.

The last day before break felt like I got hit by a car—emotionally, mentally, physically. And when I finally woke up three days later, I burst into tears because I felt so exhausted… and so guilty.

Guilty for resting.
Guilty for “wasting” my break.
Guilty for not bouncing back faster.

If you’ve ever felt this way—or if you’re already bracing for it—this one’s for you.

My Story

That first winter break, the guilt swallowed me.
I felt like I should be working.
I felt like everyone else had it together and I was the only one falling apart.

So what did I do?
I worked the entire rest of my break.

Lesson planning, grading, organizing—anything to quiet the guilt.
But when I returned to school, I wasn’t refreshed. I wasn’t rested.
I was more burned out than before.

And because I was exhausted, I found myself short-tempered with my students.
I dreaded going back.
I felt like something was wrong with me because no one else seemed to be talking about this.

The burnout I felt before break didn’t magically disappear. It followed me into January—and it only grew worse.

Mistakes I Made

Looking back, there were three major mistakes that kept me stuck in burnout.

1. Overworking

I spent the entire break trying to “catch up,” but all it did was drain me further.
Instead of resting, I hustled.
Instead of recharging, I depleted myself.

And not surprisingly, I walked back into the classroom feeling empty—emotionally, mentally, physically.

2. Overcommitting

Because I hadn’t seen friends or family, I felt pressure to make up for lost time.
I packed my schedule full of gatherings, dinners, parties, and visits.

But I wasn’t actually connecting—I was checking boxes.
And by the end, my social battery was completely drained.

3. Ignoring My Burnout

The biggest mistake?
Believing burnout was normal.

I thought every teacher felt this way.
I thought the exhaustion was just part of the job.
I thought working myself to the ground was what made me a “good” teacher.

But the truth?
There is another way.
You don’t have to burn out to be effective.
You don’t have to earn rest.
You don’t have to live on empty.

Systems—not sacrifice—are what make teaching sustainable.

What to Do Instead

If I could go back and talk to that version of myself, here’s what I’d tell her.

1. Set a Work Limit

If you choose to work at all over break, give yourself a clear limit.

• Two hours a day

• One afternoon

• A single Pomodoro session (25 minutes)

Work within the limit—then stop.
You are allowed to disconnect without apologizing for it.

2. Set a Visit Limit

You don’t owe everyone your time.
Decide in advance how often you’ll see family and friends.

Saying “no” isn’t being selfish—it’s honoring your emotional and social energy.
Your battery matters just as much as everyone else’s.

3. Stop Ignoring Burnout

Burnout is not a badge of honor.
It is not proof you care.
It is not what makes you a good teacher.

Ask yourself each day of break:
“Body, what do I need today?”
Then trust your answer.

If you need rest—rest.
If you need stillness—take it.
If you need movement—go move.
If you need creativity—paint, bake, craft, breathe.

Show up for yourself the way you show up for your students.
Your needs matter too.

Ignoring burnout won’t make it go away.
Caring for yourself will.

Wrap Up

Here’s what I wish I knew before my first winter break:

• My story: What burnout really looked like.

• Mistakes I made: Overworking, overcommitting, and ignoring burnout.

• What I wish I knew instead: Boundaries, limits, rest, and self-trust.

Winter break is meant to restore you—not drain you further.
You deserve rest that actually restores your mind, body, and heart.

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.