As the calendar turns to a new year, many school counselors find themselves holding a mix of emotions about heading back to work. Motivation might feel low, energy might feel scattered, and that sense of readiness may not be there yet.

In this New Year’s Eve re-listen, I'm revisiting Episode 41 of Counselor Chat Podcast, a conversation counselors return to again and again when break comes to an end.

This episode is a reminder that feeling unmotivated, heavy, or unsure about returning to school is normal. Motivation does not magically appear on January 1st, and you do not need to have everything figured out before heading back.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

1. Why mixed emotions after a break are completely normal
2. How different breaks can bring different feelings from year to year
3. The importance of acknowledging your emotions instead of pushing through them
4. How reconnecting with your “why” can ground you when motivation feels low
5. Simple strategies to ease back into work, including building white space into your calendar
6. Why prioritizing tasks and letting go of doing everything at once matters
7. The power of reconnecting with colleagues for support and perspective
8. Gentle reminders about self care and protecting your energy

You are not alone, and you are allowed to take this transition one step at a time.

Mentioned in the Episode:

Energy Inventory: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eXT5jXvwueU39AGvkFYq7-wvom9TiSns/view?usp=sharing

Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcast

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Connect with Carol:

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Mentioned in this episode:

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