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Welcome to #whatisschool “Clean Sweep: De-cluttering Your Way Toward Better Learning, Teaching, and Living” @ShiftParadigm. It’s time for a Clean Sweep.
De clutter and that excess baggage can weigh us down. Faige substitute teacher in Los Angeles. I stopped to smell the roses in my front yard. #whatisschool
Hi everyone I’m Alfonso from the Philippines. I’m the science fair teacher this school year and also the DP coordinator. Jumping in two departments this coming SY #whatisschool
#whatisschool 1A I started yesterday with 1 month of school left bringing my personal item for teaching back to my condo to store and organize for next year! Condo: Organize my storage room!
A1. I used to be a shocker for this, then a few years ago I went on random regular cleaning sprees. It really does help clear your mind. Still sometimes have the mental clutter though. Harder to shift sometimes. #whatisschool
A1: Def a lot of physical clutter that needs to be gotten rid of in my office. I also constantly have a lot of mental clutter as we get to the end of the year! So much to do, so little time #whatisschool
A1 My apartment complex is renovating so I had to move during the school year. I’ve had to face my physical clutter head on in the last month. #whatisschool@ShiftParadigm
A1b timely question. I was made the DP coordinator last year but it’s only now that my role has started to really materialize. I’m starting to feel the pushback from the senior teachers. Getting the feeling they don’t want me. #whatisschool
I do this now too - used to be terrible. It really does make a difference. I'm finding that with my study, I need to be a whole lot more organised and clutter doesn't help. #whatisschool
I still have boxes of papers I need to shred and boxes of class books that needed in my house after I retired. Even though most I left in my classroom #whatisschool
A1: I start to get a lot of mental clutter at this point in the school year. Ceremonies, speeches, evaluations, assemblies, assessments, schedules, etc. #whatisschool
Clutter definitely creeps up on me throughout the school year. I make a big effort to start the year with minimal visual noise, clutter, etc but then life happens and it starts to pile up. Need to make clearing up/out a routine #whatisschool
A1 - Unfortunately I have SO much clutter right now. I finally made a dent with my desk so my daily work space is clean. Everything else needs a rework. I need to make my world more functional/streamline processes #whatisschool
What you call clutter I call stuff I will need later ... or stuff you will need later. I don’t need two booming sound systems, but I have two which is good when someone needs one. #whatisschool
A1: I also have a desk whose superpower is getting cluttered throughout the course of the day. It starts organized and ends like a tornado hit it. Yeah...it's my desk's fault. #whatisschool
A1: I will say I have trouble falling asleep some nights b/c of the mental clutter of what I have to do the next day even though I write it down. #whatisschool
My dad was terrible - had sheds of 'collectables'. Mum soon sorted that out when he got sick. I think I take after my mum but sometimes I wish she hadn't been quite so anti-clutter with some of the lost treasures. #whatisschool
#whatisschool 2A. Art teachers keep stuff. I am the the Recycle Queen 👑 but at the end of the school year it needs to Go! Think if you are moving school- will you take it?!?! I moved schools last year- I found out about clutter! Start early to “Let it Go” Lorax 🙀
Good grief lol!! I've got into the habit of getting rid of mine regularly but mine used to look like this. Hitting the 9k mark at one stage. #whatisschool
A2 Clean Sweep was a popular show after my Mom passed away. It has taken me 15 years to listen to the wisdom of @PeterWalsh. I’ve had to admit my clutter stems from my grief and my missing my parents. #whatisschool
A2: right now, all mental..too much to get done in next two months..even though I write it down, I still have trouble falling asleep some nights :( #whatisschool
One man/woman’s trash is another man/woman’s treasure. That’s how we ended up with soooo much stuff. My husband and I were collectors. My kids get to deal with it when I’m gone. #whatisschool
A1: Hi! Rebecca from Nevada joining late today.
At home, I need to sort through my clothing. I have things I haven't worn in years that could be donated to a local nonprofit thrift store.
#WhatIsSchool
Q2 - I have a lot of physical clutter especially at home. But all over the place, I feel the need to declutter emotionally. As an empathic person I tend to absorb a lot of the tumult of this time from students and staff #mentalhealth#whatisschool
A2: I usually have physical clutter (nature of the position), but there is also emotional clutter as well at this time of the year. Proud, but sad to see the end of school for students. Thoughts of "what if" and "how much more could we have done" always visit. #whatisschool
A2- My emotional state is completely intertwined with how I view my physical space- if I’m calm, relaxed- my space is fine and I have just what I need- when I’m stressed I see clutter everywhere #whatisschool
#whatisschool 3A: I think I am going to use it again... I have a Recycle Colored paper box in the Artroom. At the end of the year it will go to the orphanage we visit! Still - physical clutter! 🙀
A1: Cleaning up clutter is last on my list. You will know how my life is going by how my desk looks. If it’s clean you know that I have everything together. When it’s a mess you know that my nanny quit or I have to pump For a baby during my lunch, LOL #whatisschool
Good evening #whatisschool friends! Driving home and listening in! Valerie from FL joining! Right now I have “end of the year” clutter! Paperwork, testing, loose ends to tie!
A2) after so many years of research,exploration and reflection, I am free of emotional and spiritual clutter. Yet to get over physical clutter ( this is tough for a crafter,maker like me) #whatisschool
PhD in gifted and talented education. Looking at the current situation in NZ and how we're meeting the needs of learners and teachers. Trying to do it differently to really give people a voice. #whatisschool
Wow! That can be challenging. The reward will be worth it. We really have to talk more about the support we give our talented and gifted teachers. #whatisschool
At least you got to the first layer, though. I really have quite a few layers to dig through at school and at home. I've had to face my sentimentality head on in the last few weeks. #whatisschool
A2. RIght now, I feel like I have a ton of DIGITAL clutter across different platforms. Switching schools is going to clean up my Google Drive by default. lol #whatisschool
A3: Too much work/stress, it becomes easier to allow it to build up. One of the nice things about being an international educator is that when you move, you can let things go; physically and mentally. #whatisschool
A3. Lack of focus on one task at a time in terms of mental clutter. Easier said than done at different times of the year. I'm working hard on that one. Being more mindful helps. #whatisschool
A3: Physical clutter...caused by constant influx of paper into my office. Mental clutter...caused by end of year stress and preparing for next school year at the same time. #whatisschool
A2b. I wouldn't say it's clutter, but there is a lot on my mind these days as I ready to transition to Philadelphia for a new position next year. Many details including living arrangements to take care of. #whatisschool
A3: Physical➡️ Paperwork that gets in the way of what really matters or too many meetings. Otherwise it is put to use. Emotional➡️ Empathy. #whatisschool
A2: This past semester was stressful for me, so I look forward to decompressing before grad school gets busy for me again in a few weeks.
#whatisschool
A2: I probably have most mental. I have a lot of ideas in my head, but I don’t have enough time to do it all. Also sometimes plans look better in my head then they do when they are implemented. I have a hard time accepting that! I guess I learned from it though. #whatisschool
A3 My sentimental heart and fear of loss have led to too much stuff at home & at school. I’m sifting through clutter at home, and school will be next. I’ve learned my parents would not want this for me. Good friends have encouraged me to let go. #whatisschool@ShiftParadigm
#whatisschool A4: TIME to declutter! I wasted too much time keeping and then letting it go... but I am getting better Letting it Go! Also I am starting early this school year!
A3. Lack of time and procedure with how to store things, both tactile and digital. Haven't been as efficient with my time this year. Need to get back on top of things next year. #whatisschool
A2b: like today, I learned that graphing with 6th Graders is frustrating and overwhelming. I know that I need to do it way earlier and often next year! #whatisschool
A3- Both my emotional/physical clutter can come from trying to have too many things in the go at once. I start the year with so many aspirations/ideas- would work best if I narrowed down the focus #whatisschool
A2c. One more thing... Getting rid of my desk has caused a little more paper clutter this year. It's been a great sacrifice to add more student space in the room, but I don't have always have the teacher space to which I'm accustomed. #whatisschool
A3 - my stress level contributes to the mental and physical clutter, which means that this time of year, it usually gets worse! Also, I need to stop the 'but I might need/want to look at this someday....." #whatisschool
Yes! The whole idea of getting overwhelmed to the point that we don't keep up or make impulsive decisions. This is something to constantly guard against. #whatisschool
I'm working on my home clutter a box at a time. In a few weeks I will tackle my office at school. I've had to admit I was hanging on to too much, and it's been freeing to realize that. #whatisschool
A4: I don't think my life is impeded by clutter; I try not to let it rule my life - going out with friends, spending time w/ family, reading, etc are so important in life. #whatisschool
A3 - I’m still working on self-care. I know in my head that if I fill my cup first I will be better able to serve others, but I still struggle to LIVE this mentality.
When I don't take care if self that creates clutter #whatisschool
A4: There is so much to do and so much mental clutter that sometimes it’s hard to focus on the vital tasks that need to get done. Big rocks vs. little rocks #7habits#whatisschool
A4: Being clear headed and clutter free allows you to be more present and fullfulled...physically (exercise), mentally (thinking), and emotionally (relationships) #whatisschool
A4- I have an ongoing battle with the rear storage area in my classroom. It always wins. I wish instead of organizing that room I was spending my time on more productive pursuits. #whatisschool
A4. I find that my social life has suffered in the past due to the workload I place in myself, and hence the clutter. I've been better with this! #whatisschool
A4: I am fortunate to have shed clutter by moving from Brazil to the US to Mexico in a span of three years! My clutter is more digital than paper... #whatisschool
A4 - the biggest impact of clutter is my ability to stay present and in the moment. I am better able to do that and just live life when my world is clean (emotionally and physically) #whatisschool
I'm terrible at doing this. The best thing I ever did was to take a course on Mindfulness. My mind isn't as grasshopper-like as it was. Still a lot of room for improvement though. #whatisschool
Digital clutter will be next on my list. I forget about it because I don't see it in my surroundings as much as physical clutter. Thanks for being here with us today. #whatisschool
A4 I want to de-clutter to be a better teacher, friend, sister, girlfriend, aunt. I’ve been forced to recognize that my clutter is slowing me down in all aspects of my life. #whatisschool@ShiftParadigm
A4: When life gets in the way, sometimes you simply need to get outside. I love going for bike rides. Clears the mind; allows me to focus. #whatisschool
A4.Tonight I informed my Board I am retiring as Teaching Principal in August after 32 years in the post .It was an emotional meeting .I have a lot of clutter to go through #whatisschool
A4 So hard to let “me” come first more often. A people person, a teacher in my DNA, a parent/grandparent a lover of life/joy. I don’t look away so often on overload #whatisschool
A friend at school is moving and I just moved so we're cheering each other on. We've both got stuff from lost loved ones and we're letting go little by little. #whatisschool
A4.Tonight I informed my Board I am retiring as Teaching Principal in August after 32 years in the post .It was an emotional meeting .I have a lot of clutter to go through #whatisschool
I believe that people who stay in the same place still need to metaphorically move. Go through your house/office, really ask yourself "Do i NEED this?" then remove stuff. Have a yard sale. Let go. #whatisschool
A4: I need to deal with my storage boxes. When I start looking for a job after grad school, having less boxes to move will make moving easier for me.
#whatisschool
My parents moved after 20 years in the same house; they had a yard sale for a full month with all of the "things" they had acquired over the years that had no purpose. I learned the idea then. #whatisschool
Mental clutter comes from a good place, wanting to do a good job. I'm working towards making it more organized "upstairs" for a better end of year this year. #whatisschool
#whatisschool 5/6A Got to head to school and taking my suitcase to move personal items from my Art room! DeClutter and Recycle ♻️ Saturday is the Emotional well-being Day! Balance - TGIF
A5- In the classroom, if I haven't used it this year, it's likely it won't ever be and I will pass it on. In the home- after reading Marie Kondo's book, I got in the habit of asking "Does this bring me joy?" and, if not, it was much easier to part with. #whatisschool
A5: I de-clutter once a week - recycle what I don't need and file away what I need into its appropriate binder and section (binders are divided into tabs). #whatisschool
A5: Writing all the "tasks" or "to do" on sticky note.... then sort into three MUST DO or keep, Nice to get done or keep, don't need to do or throw out #whatisschool
A5: I also plan one month in advance in terms of what I need to get done; then I break it down by week and then by day..post it on my fridge and a copy in my office. #whatisschool
A5. If I can access it online, I get rid of old resources that are out of date. If I haven't used it in the last year, then out it goes. Giving myself a time limit to clear an area - classroom or home - is a strategy that works for me. #whatisschool
A5: A strategy that works for me is to just start sorting through something easy, and then the intrinsic reward from doing that task makes it easier to go through the more challenging items.
#whatisschool
I like this idea. I'm finding that I need to do this for my study so that it doesn't become overwhelming. They warned us that procrastinators will fail. #whatisschool
A5 - With emotional and spiritual clutter I have to talk it out and do something creative. With physical clutter? I could use some tops on consistent strategies... #whatisschool
You would be surprised by how little you actually need. I can pack my really possessions in two large suitcases. I have a few family things stored at my parent's house, I have nothing else that really belongs to me. #whatisschool
I have lots of family there. I think you'll love it. Let me know if I can be of any help. #whatisschool My cousins might have some contacts who could help with housing.
A5: I also clean up my inbox once a week...I get too many emails for work so I delete emails no longer needed (I responded) and then file away the ones I do in their appropriate folders. #whatisschool
A5 I am sorry #whatisschool friends for popping in late from Long Island. Decluttering strategies that work for me: urgency - when I can't find materials on my desk it is time to stop & declutter. Project started today.
Yes! You have to stay on the ball and focused in your program...if you have to go to the library or go to a hotel for the weekend to get it done..that's what I did. #whatisschool
This #whatisschool chat has left me so motivated and inspired to tackle the next few weeks! I’m going to declutter my life and live it up. One step at a time. Thanks for the resources, everyone!
I like that advice. We live near some hot pools that are really quiet during the week. I also live rurally so I've got no excuse really. Procrastination has been something I've needed to work on getting out of the habit of. #whatisschool
A6: It will be the AP exam materials that need to be sent back at the end of the AP exam window week 1. I'm really looking forward to it. #whatisschool
LOL Amy breakfast room table has become my son’s office table and when my dining room table was heading in the say direction I said WHOA so now we have one eating table LOL #whatisschool
In reply to
@cossie29, @Math912Teacher, @deem_ellen, @ShiftParadigm
I find I did my best work early in the mornings and on weekends...you just have to make a plan and stick to it - and it helps if you have a reward after you are done, like going for a walk, getting a pedi, watching your fav TV show, etc... #whatisschool
A6 I will continue to declutter my desk and sort my prof texts so I know where they are. I might even try to declutter my desktop screen. Whew! Tired thinking about it. #whatisschool
A6 Being realistic. With so much stuff/changes happening with my family, I’m waiting till school is over and will tackle SHREDDING old papers. Doable goal & I hope it might motivate me to do more! #whatisschool
A6) I'm going to school tomorrow & throw away any file that doesn't have 2005 or above on it! Wish me luck! Thank You, Mark & Ellen, for another #Awesome chat! TGIF all! #whatisschool