Problem:
Name: Asha Malik
Profession: Teacher
Country: India
City: Kolkata
I am Asha, 29 years old, and I teach English in a school in Kolkata. I have dreamed of becoming a teacher since childhood, but now I feel like I am getting lost somewhere. When I enter the classroom, I enjoy spending time with the students, but at the end of the day, I feel very tired, as if there is nothing left for myself.
Sometimes I feel like I'm living only for others—teaching students, taking care of family responsibilities, meeting the needs of relatives—but I can't find myself anywhere. It's as if I've forgotten what I want. I don't find joy in anything, and life seems stuck in a cycle of routine.
How can I get out of this fatigue? How can I do something for myself, so that my life is not just a burden of duties?
Solution:
Askly Help
Hope, your feelings are familiar to many, but it is very important to give importance to them. You are in a profession where you have to give selflessly for others, but if you forget yourself, then eventually you will lose this power of giving.
The root cause of your problem is probably "Burnout"—which comes from the pressure of excessive responsibility, boredom, or neglect of yourself. But the good news is, you can get out of this situation if you want to.
1. Create "Me Time" for yourself.
Set aside at least 30 minutes every day just for yourself. Don't do any work during this time - just do whatever you feel like doing. You can listen to music, read a book, go for a walk, or just sit with a cup of tea in your hand without doing anything. This may sound small, but its impact is huge in the long run.
2. Learn to say no.
People around you will ask for your help, but it is not your responsibility to always respond. You have to learn to say "no" sometimes. This is not self-centeredness, but self-love.
3. Try to learn something new.
As a teacher, you spend your whole life teaching others, but how much of your own learning is happening? Start something that is just for you—painting, dancing, learning a new language, cooking, photography—something that will give you a new sense of life.
4. Do a "Work Detox" once a week.
Set aside some time on Friday evening or Sunday entirely for yourself. This time will be for your enjoyment only, not for checking students' homework or office work.
5. Express your feelings.
You don't have to go through depression or fatigue alone. Talk to a close friend, keep a diary, or if you feel you need it, seek help from a counselor. Understanding and expressing your feelings is essential for mental well-being.
6. Find small joys
Life is not just about getting big things, small moments are also valuable. A student in class made you smile, a flower blooming on the side of the road, the afternoon sky looks beautiful - make it a habit to find joy in small things like that.
Hopefully, you are showing the way for your students, but may that light illuminate your own life as well. Life is not only about duty, but also about joy. If you learn to live for yourself little by little, fatigue will not be the story of your life, but will become a source of new strength.
Good luck, Hope!