Permission to Pause: Ending January Without the Exhaustion

January can be one of the most tiring months in education.
A long stretch, heavy demands, and very little time to breathe.

But here’s something many staff need reminding of:
You’re allowed to pause.

Not when everything is finished.
Not when the pressure lifts.
Not when you’ve earned it.

Now.
Simply because you need it.

Rest is not indulgent.

It’s restorative.
It resets your clarity, energy and emotional capacity.

And a rested teacher or leader is not just healthier…
They’re more effective, patient and grounded.

As January closes, ask yourself:

• What can I put down?
• What can wait until next week?
• What will give me space to breathe again?

Let the month end.
Let yourself soften.
Let rest be allowed.

If you’re ready for a year that feels sustainable rather than draining, The Resilience Library can support you with gentle, practical steps each month.

Start strong, start with you.