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Originally aired in May 2024, this encore episode might just be more relevant now in January 2026. If your New Year energy already feels like it’s running on fumes, take this as your permission slip to pause.

Vanessa explores the emotional and physical exhaustion teachers face—and how lack of sleep, overcommitment, and guilt get tangled together. She shares a powerful metaphor about “big rocks” and challenges you to re-evaluate how you’re spending your time vs. what actually matters to you.

You’ll hear:

• Why sleep isn’t a luxury—it’s a survival need
• What “big rocks” really mean and how to identify yours
• A teacher hack to boost student confidence (and your own)
• A guided reflection exercise from Finding Your Element by Sir Ken Robinson
• Three guiding principles to start clarifying who you are beyond the classroom
  
  

Whether you’re in the middle of burnout, questioning your next move, or just trying to reclaim your sanity—this episode is a compassionate nudge back to yourself.

Keywords:
Teacher burnout recovery, leaving teaching, teacher exhaustion, self-care for teachers, time management for educators, career clarity, Ken Robinson Finding Your Element, big rocks metaphor, prioritizing what matters, teacher stress relief, post-burnout career paths, Vanessa Jackson podcast, Teachers in Transition

Ready to take the next step?
Vanessa helps burned-out teachers transition into new careers with clarity and confidence. If you're ready to explore your options, schedule a free Discovery Session here:
👉 www.teachersintransition.com/calendar

📲 Stay Connected!
📧 Vanessa@TeachersinTransition.com
📱 Text/Voicemail: 512-640-9099
🔗 Follow on Instagram + Threads @teachers.in.transition
📘 Facebook: Teachers in Transition
👥 Join the Podcast Club Facebook Group
🔗 LinkedIn: Vanessa Jackson
🐦 X (Twitter): @EduExitStrategy
🟦 Bluesky: @beyondteaching.bsky.social

The transcript of this podcast can be found on the podcasts’ homepage at Buzzsprout.

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