When Everything Feels Urgent: Reclaiming Calm in a System That Thrives on Chaos

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” – Anne Lamott

Teacher Burnout Recovery: Mindful Strategies to Reclaim Calm

There’s a certain kind of exhaustion that creeps in when every task feels urgent.

The endless emails. The last-minute changes. The mounting pressure to perform, respond, deliver.

You move from one thing to the next, breath held tight in your chest, trying to keep pace with a system that never slows down.

And when the overwhelm builds, the advice you’re often given is this: manage your time better.

Get more organised. Use your planning time more effectively.

But what if the issue isn’t your time management at all?

What if the urgency is manufactured?

Recognising the Fire Drill Feeling

When everything feels like a fire drill, your nervous system starts to believe it’s always in danger. That every moment is critical. That resting is irresponsible. That slowing down means falling behind.

But here’s the truth: not everything is urgent. It only feels that way because we’ve been conditioned to operate inside systems that equate productivity with worth — systems that reward speed, availability, and overextension.

As teachers, this looks like:

• Feeling guilty for not replying to a parent email during your lunch break.

• Dropping your planning to attend an unscheduled meeting.

• Rushing through marking so it looks “done” — even when the depth of feedback suffers.

• Always feeling behind, even when you’ve ticked off your to-do list.

This isn’t a personal failing. It’s a symptom of a culture that often glorifies overwork and leaves little space for stillness.

Question the System, Not Just Your Schedule

It’s easy to internalise the chaos. To think, If I just planned better, if I just worked faster, if I just got more efficient...But this mindset keeps the pressure on you — without questioning the larger forces that shape the way you work.

Instead of only asking: “How can I get through this faster?” Try also asking:

• “Why does this need to be done now?”

• “Who benefits from this urgency?”

• “What are we losing when everything becomes a rush?”

Slowing down enough to ask these questions is, in itself, an act of resistance. It’s a way of gently reclaiming your energy and your sense of agency.

The Cost of Constant Urgency

Urgency, when constant, takes a toll — on your body, your mind, your creativity, your relationships.

You might notice:

• A racing heart or shallow breath throughout the day.

• Struggling to switch off or sleep at night.

• Less patience with your students, colleagues, or family.

• A creeping sense that your work is never “enough.”

In the long run, this can lead to emotional exhaustion, reduced job satisfaction, and burnout — not because you aren’t capable, but because you were never meant to operate in survival mode long-term.

You deserve more than that.

Reclaiming Your Calm

You don’t need to overhaul your life to begin your teacher burnout recovery. Start with one moment. One breath. One boundary.

Here are a few gentle shifts to help you step out of the fire-drill mindset:

1. Notice the manufactured urgency

When a task or message lands with a sense of panic, pause and ask:

• Is this a true emergency?

• Can it wait?

• What would happen if I responded tomorrow, not today?

2. Anchor your day with moments of calm

Begin your day with presence — even just five minutes to ground yourself before stepping into the noise. A warm cup of tea, a few deep breaths, a reminder that you set the tone for your nervous system.

3. Set soft boundaries

You don’t need to explain or justify every no. Sometimes it’s enough to say:

• “I’ll respond tomorrow.”

• “I’m not available during my break.”

• “That timeline doesn’t work for me.”(You can find more gentle boundary scripts here if you’d like.)

  
  

4. Prioritise depth over speed

It’s okay to slow down your marking to provide more meaningful feedback. It’s okay to say no to an “urgent” request that disrupts your flow. It’s okay to do one thing well instead of five things in a rush.

5. Question the culture

The most powerful change often begins with quiet observation. You might not be able to change your whole system — but you can model a different way of working. And that matters. More than you know.

You Are Not the Problem

If you’re feeling like you’re constantly chasing your tail, please hear this: You are not the problem. You are not failing. You are responding normally to a system that rarely allows rest.

It takes courage to slow down in a world that idolises hustle. But your presence — your calm, grounded presence — is one of the most powerful things you can offer your students.

Not everything is urgent. Not everything is yours to carry. You are allowed to move through your day with intention, not just reaction.

A gentle reflection: Where in your day do you feel the most rushed? And what might shift if you approached that moment with more softness, more space, or more questions?

With quiet calm,

Liz 💛

The Quiet Teacher

Disclaimer:

This blog post is for informational and inspirational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or professional advice. The views expressed are based on personal experience and reflection and are not a substitute for advice from qualified professionals. If you are experiencing chronic stress, burnout, or mental health concerns, please seek support from a trusted healthcare provider or mental health professional.