Dear colleague,
My goodness — ya'll have curiosities that run the gamut. Whether it's restorative justice, reducing achievement gaps, competency/mastery instruction, or deep education versus cheap schooling…us professionals are pondering a lot of things.
So here's why I asked that question in my previous post.
About nine months ago, I got curious about whether my consumption habits were negatively impacting not just my work as a teacher but also my life as a whole. This falls in line with some of the writing I've done over the years related to cultivating the will to teach inside ourselves — keeping the fire for the work amidst all the work's hardship.
So basically, I had hit the Wall and I was on the inner journey.
I started to wonder if pausing my alcohol consumption would help to depressurize my soul.
In the interview below (video link) with fellow teacher Tim Knapp, I describe the results of that inner journey. It's long-form — great for listening on your next walk or commute. If you're curious about what I learned, you'll find out in this recording
Please note: The book we're referencing in the video is Annie Grace's This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol, Find Freedom, Discover Happiness & Change Your Life.
Questions? Comments? Leave them below or on the video.
Teaching right beside you,
DSJR
Jane D. says
I have so much to say, but to keep it brief, too many teachers drink too much and speaking from personal experience, I am almost two years sober after almost two decades of drinking and teaching and stressing and quitting drinking was the best personal decision I’ve ever made. I encourage every educator who is stressed, overwhelmed, and using drinking as a coping mechanism to get sober curious and challenge themselves to make the shift!! Annie Grace’s book helped me too as well as Gill’s podcast and resources at Sober Powered. Thank you Dave for this important post! I have followed you for years and it’s so cool to see an educator talk about this.
Dave Stuart Jr. says
Jane, I’m so glad that you found the post encouraging. It is a touchy topic for many educators, often because we do find ourselves in places like you describe. I was there too, and am thankful for the lessons I am learning from this ongoing experiment in pausing my intake. Thank you so much for writing 🙂
Zachary says
Always with the powerful personal reflections that bear a striking convicting undertone, Dave! How many small patterns/habits in my life that I prefer to ignore contribute negatively to my overall aims? Always appreciate you!
Dave Stuart Jr. says
Much love, ZR.