The September Stress Spiral — How to Step off It & Stay Grounded

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Show Notes:

Every September, teachers get swept into the “stress spiral” - the endless to-do lists, stacks of papers to grade, and the constant feeling of barely keeping your head above water. But what if this season didn’t have to drain you? With the right strategies, you can step off the spiral, reclaim your energy, and rediscover the joy that brought you to teaching in the first place.

In last week’s episode, I kicked off the September Survival Series, which highlights how teachers can regain control and re-establish routines and procedures with confidence once the realities of the school year set in. The challenge is that the stress spiral often takes hold before most teachers even realize they’re in it. That’s why, in episode two of this series, I define what the September stress spiral is and share practical ideas and mindset shifts you can use before it takes over your classroom.

It’s incredible how quickly the excitement of a new school year can fade into stress, overwhelm, and exhaustion. While we’re often conditioned to think this is “just the way teaching is,” it’s actually the mounting stress that causes these feelings. When teachers recognize there’s too much to do and not enough time, overwhelm sets in, and both classroom and time management begin to suffer.

The good news? There are things you can do about it. Throughout the episode, I share three simple but powerful mindset shifts that take five minutes or less and can be done anytime during your day. These quick resets help you bring more calm and peace back into your classroom. Alongside them, I offer three practical time-saving hacks designed to reduce daily teacher stress. With consistency and discipline, these strategies create a more structured and manageable classroom environment, while also giving you the mental space you need.

The September stress spiral is real, but it doesn’t have to define your school year. By embracing small mindset shifts, leaning on supportive routines, and giving yourself permission to rest, you can shift from survival mode to sustainable balance. With a gentler perspective and doable systems in place, you’ll protect your energy, reclaim your balance, and feel less like you’re drowning and more like you’re leading with intention.

 Inside this week's show, you'll learn:

• A clear definition of the September stress spiral, and how to recognize when you’re in it.
• Three powerful mindset shifts to use when you’re feeling overwhelmed and stressed as a teacher.
• How positive thinking and simple daily resets can improve your classroom environment and teaching perspective.
• Three practical, time-saving hacks to help you manage your time more effectively in the classroom.
• A bonus hack that can instantly improve your classroom management.
• Why consistency and discipline are the keys to building successful classroom management systems.
• How the Classroom Management Club improves your management, streamlines your time, and offers support for teachers looking to rebound from the September stress spiral.

Links & resources mentioned inside this episode: 

• Classroom Management Club Waitlist
• R.E.A.D.Y. for School Academy and The Classroom Management Club Informational Page
• Beginning Teacher Talk on YouTube
• Grab a copy of my book, Dear New Teacher, Here's Exactly What to Do: Your 5-Step R.E.A.D.Y. for School Roadmap for Elementary Classrooms
• Lung Cancer Free: One Couple’s Journey Through a “Lungs in a Box” Double Lung Transplant.
• Enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card by leaving a review for Beginning Teacher Talk on Apple Podcasts!
• Follow Dr. Lori on Instagram
• Follow Dr. Lori on Facebook
• Follow Beginning Teacher Talk on TikTok

I hope this information is helpful as you prepare for your first, second, or third year of teaching. Until next time, remember, just because you're a beginning elementary teacher, there's no need for you to struggle like one.

💛 Lori

Dr. Lori Friesen | Beginning Teacher Mentor

Creator of the R.E.A.D.Y. for School Academy and The Classroom Management Club, Dr. Lori Friesen has mentored thousands of beginning teachers across the country through her workshops and courses. Host of the popular podcast Beginning Teacher Talk and author of Dear New Teacher, Here's Exactly What to Do, Dr. Lori is dedicated to serving educators and inspiring learners. Learn more at drlorifriesen.com.

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Related episodes you might enjoy:

• When Kids Test You in September: How to Reset Routines Without Starting Over
• First Month of School Reminders & Mindset Shifts
• 3 Mindset Reminders for the First Weeks of School
• Why You’re So Tired: What the Research Says about Disaster Stress & How to Cope
• How to Deal with Stress & Anxiety as a New Teacher

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