Today we have a blog post from one of our Master’s level interns, Devin Kappie, about finishing the school year with grace. Devin has a passion for helping others and considers it an honor to walk alongside her clients’ journey in living lives authentic to them.
Her counseling approach relies on the practice of and use of compassion, vulnerability, courage, and patience with oneself and one’s relationships. Holding a strong belief that everyone is capable of living a life that is true to themselves, Devin values therapeutic relationships as it is a space that prioritizes safety and authenticity without the fear of judgment.
She believes all people and bodies are worthy and valuable. Through the unique and innate strengths of clients, Devin hopes to reconnect those she works with to a life and sense of self that is embodied by peace, empowerment, and belonging.
How To Finish The School Year With Grace
As the school year is coming to an end for many; it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the many “have-to’s” or “must’s” of this season. Such as, final exams, finding that Summer internship, and the pressure to finish the school year feeling strong. Whether you are a student, parent supporting a child through this transition, or an educator, this time of year can bring immense joy but also exhaustion. Giving yourself grace is the key to navigating these challenges.
Letting Go Of Perfection
I deeply empathize and understand the temptation to want to end the year, semester, term on a perfect note (i.e. having straight A’s, having a classroom that is completely organized, and prepped before Summer break) but perfection is not the goal. I encourage you to think about your growth. You have made beautiful efforts to live authentically and have a values-based life, and you have been resilient in all of the challenges this year has brought.
In working towards shifting your mindset from being perfect, I invite you to ask yourself “Did I put forth my best effort?” rather than, “Did I do everything perfectly?”. If you experienced setbacks or made mistakes; I encourage you to view mistakes as learning experiences, rather than failures. Mistakes help contribute to your personal and academic growth!
You are not alone in making mistakes or feeling that you have come up short on your perfectionistic standards (no matter how unattainable they may be). Give yourself permission to let go of stressing over living up to the standards of perfection and lean into what growth means to you, and all the progress you have made this school year.
Celebrating How Far You Have Come
Let us take a moment to celebrate all the progress that you have made! I invite you to think back to the beginning of the school year, what have you learned? How have you grown as a person? What small victories can you hold onto and celebrate? Whether it is overcoming obstacles such as a tough subject of study, developing a new set of skills, or simply moving through the past challenging year, I encourage you to write down five accomplishments, big or small, from this past school year.
Perhaps, you may include learning a new topic in a subject you are studying or overcoming a stressful situation. Now, reflect on the effort you put in this school year and I think you will be amazed by the amount of effort you put in in order to move towards your goals and that alone is worth celebrating.
Prioritizing Rest and Recovery
Reaching the end of the school year is a marathon and not a sprint. You may be feeling exhausted at the end of the year and experiencing burnout can be a normal experience. I encourage you to remind yourself that rest is as important as productivity (and I would argue even more important in order to be able to lead a life that is aligned with your goals and values). I encourage you to listen to your body. If you are feeling physically or mentally drained, honor that feeling by taking a step back. Rest and recovery is not a luxury, rather a necessity. After periods of heightened stress such as the busy school year, transitioning into relaxation can be difficult. I encourage you to schedule time for relaxation and fun, just as you would schedule time for class, studying, or that next board meeting. When your mind and body are well-rested, you will be able to have more room to live in alignment with your values, and be prepared for the next year.
A resource that I encourage you to use during this season is the book The Perfectionism Workbook for Teens by Ann Marie Dobosz. This resource is a great tool to be able to use alleviate the distress that comes with perfectionistic tendencies and the end of the school year. Whether you are a parent helping your child or a teen doing the best you can getting through those finals, this resource can help you along the way! The Perfectionism Workbook for Teens
Finally, I leave you with an affirmation: “I give myself permission to rest, recharge, and embrace this new season with kindness and self-compassion.“
You got this!
Devin
We hope you found Devin’s insights on nurturing yourself as the school year comes to a close helpful. If her message resonated with you, this could be the perfect time to take meaningful steps towards your healing and peace. To initiate your work with Devin, please feel free to call our office at 615.510.3797 or click here to learn more.
