Tommy Hilfiger shirtdress, Macy's
belt, Old Navy
I initially planned on wearing a strand of purple-ish beads with this outfit, but when I looked in the mirror, it felt too busy. A shirtdress is the first type of dress that I felt comfortable wearing, and while I've added other silhouettes to my closet, it remains a favorite. It's perfect for those days that I want a feminine yet unfussy outfit.
I've been thinking a lot about balance lately, as it relates to my profession. As much as I care about what I do, as much as I strive to reach every one of my 23 students everyday, there has to be a balance. That balance can be hard to find, especially when you tend to fall into self-criticism and self-doubt the way I do. At the same time, I can see the positive side of being self-critical ... at its best, questioning what I do pushes me to keep looking for new methods and new ideas. We're entering the crazy last two months of the school year, which is packed with some fun stuff (field trips and May Day), and some challenging stuff (standardized testing). I'm already realizing where I fell short this year, and that in two months, I cannot significantly remake key aspects of my instruction. However, I am still game to make small tweaks and try new things. There's a lot that needs to be accomplished before the students race out of the classroom on that last, joyous day of school, and my goal is to tackle what I need to do, learn from my mistakes, and let go of the rest.
That's a good attitude. Do what you can to improve and then realize that's enough. You're already doing good work by choosing such a noble profession and your very impulse to hone your professional skills is testament to your ability.
ReplyDeleteI think the shirt dress is definitely a good staple in your wardrobe. I don't own one.. yet but possibly I may find one in the future :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I can relate so much to your post! (1) I love shirtdresses and (2) I'm totally prone to the same kind of self-criticism and trying to find a balance as an educator!
ReplyDeleteJen @ Librarian for Life + Style
Thank you, Ally! It can be hard to find a balance between high expectations and recognizing the good things that are already happening.
ReplyDeleteKat - I think a good shirtdress is such a versatile piece! It's work-appropriate but can be dressed up and down and accessorized in fun ways.
ReplyDeleteJen - I'm glad I'm not the only self-critical educator out there! I've realized that I have such a hard time taking credit for good things that are happening. That's something I'd like to work on this upcoming school year.
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