TGIF used to be a practice I engaged in every week, particularly during my maternity leave at the end of 2019. I learned about TGIF from Brené Brown, but I believe she doesn’t do it anymore. Since then, I have seen variations on other blogs and social media platforms, but I’m going to stick with the original intention. Although I’ve committed to – at the very least – a line of daily gratitude the last few months, it sometimes doesn’t feel like enough to truly reflect and appreciate.
Since this month’s commitments have revolved quite heavily around my writing habit, I’m going to break it up as such. If you’ve never heard of this practice, here is what each letter stands for:
T- I’m Trusting
G- Grateful for this week
I- Inspiring me
F- having Fun doing
Trusting
Writing
I am trusting myself every single day to craft blog posts that carry my sacred words and publish them to an audience – most of whom I don’t know in real life. In turn, I am trusting that my words will be held and cared for tenderly.
Professional
I’m trusting that it will all work out; that this isn’t a normal year; that pandemic teaching is unimaginable; that we are all giving what we can; that this is traumatic. {And yet we show up.}
Personal
Despite recent newsworthy events occurring in Texas, I trust God’s protection of my family, my born and unborn child, and myself.
Grateful
Writing
This Slice of Life community. We’re not even a full week in, but my heart is FULL. Y’all, when is the IN REAL LIFE retreat??
Professional
Maybe it’s the time of year, maybe it’s the writing assignments, but I am beyond grateful for students who share their raw and honest words with me. During regular school years, I know that trust is something to be earned. I don’t know how I’ve earned it, but I love teenagers. It is such an honor to know that if I provide the space, they will open their hearts and offer their truths.
Personal
Thanks to my Teach Write friend, Erica, I was inspired to request snail mail birthday cards via a Facebook post. I was incredibly nervous, but it was the sweetest experience. My birthday is February 14, and guess what? As of yesterday, I’m still opening the mailbox to beautifully written, hilarious, and kind notes and letters!!! {Thank you cards to come, friends…}
Inspired
Writing
Like I first wrote on day one of SOLSC, I’m a planner and publishing new writing every single day sounded (still sounds) intimidating. However, I’m glad I approached my “plans” with an open mind because you are all inspiring me with your stories, your formats, your ideas, your flexibility, your humor, your vulnerability.
Professional
I engaged in a somewhat heated discussion about a textbook tool our district purchased this year and our over-reliance on it, particularly because it is digital during a time where every single interaction and assignment and conversation is via our Learning Management System. The details of the discussion don’t matter, but I was inspired because despite the realities of pandemic teaching – educators still care. Educators believe it is worthy to debate the merits of a tool’s efficacy.
Personal
On Wednesday, Jen Laffin blogged about the power of reading for pleasure for “just 21 minutes.” I thought about how I immersed myself in Young Adult novels after my first year of teaching and didn’t really pause for awhile. In addition to other genres, I accomplished my 2018 Goodreads goal of completing 52 books. Well, ever since having our first baby in 2019 and then focusing on my writing identity more seriously in 2020, I’ve truly pushed reading to the side. Jen reminded me that a bite-size goal like 21 minutes is completely doable – I was inspired to do so the last two evenings. I felt liberated and accomplished!
Fun
Writing
Like my friend Tim Gels celebrated in his blog post yesterday, WordPress awards BADGES! Four-day posting streak? A comment chime? A few months ago I turned off my social media notifications in an attempt to only engage meaningfully and not jump at every sound my phone made. Now that I’ve started following many of your wonderful blogs – well, this is just as addicting. Ha!
Professional
With the way our district has set up student attendance expectations, most of my class periods don’t have more than five students face-to-face. Despite how weird it feels to not have a class full of high schoolers, the few who attend regularly have created a dynamic that often makes me miss what could be. However, I also wonder if I would be lucky enough to get a peek into some of their personalities and quirks if we had a full class. I’m having fun getting to know the ten or so students who attend in person, and recently, have just been so, so funny. Anybody else’s students Googling and announcing facts about Moroccan tree goats – for no reason and with utmost sincerity?
Personal
Need I say more??! It doesn’t even matter what the day holds – how can this little boy not fill me with inexplicable joy? Look at that spirit, that smile. May olives on your fingers, squishy pizza, or a beanie bring you this much happiness!
So, friends, I’d love to hear – what are you trusting? For whom or what are you grateful? What’s inspiring you? How are you having fun?
britt escribe 
Britt, this is such a wonderful post! Kid pictures are never a bad thing, either–the olives on his fingers are the best! My wife taught our daughters and granddaughters to do the same thing, and I love it. Off the top of my head, I’m trusting the nation and world will continue to move in a positive direction with the pandemic. Given that I’m currently reading and responding to a blog post, I’m grateful as well for this community, and it inspires me regularly. For fun: Getting outside and enjoying the almost-spring weather with my family. I love it!
Thanks so much for this thoughtful and inspiring post!
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Tim, thank you for reading and for your encouragement! I LOVE that your grandkids to do the olive thing LOL!
Happy slicing, as well as continuing to enjoy the outside!!
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This is a great post. I think we all trust that when we hit the “publish” button that our words will reach someone and maybe make them think or maybe make them smile. I am grateful for each day I am given It is a new opportunity to be better than I was yesterday. I am inspired by the posts I read hear. There are so many formats I would like to try. For fun ti has to be watching the antics of my cats.
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“I am grateful for each day I am given It is a new opportunity to be better than I was yesterday.” I love this; so reflective and powerful. Thank you for sharing!!
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I really liked this post! It got me thinking about how this is a great way to live life – it is very easy to get bogged down by the weight of stresses.
I trust that the world will be back to normalcy this year.
I am grateful for my fiancé for flourishing our relationship while we have more time together instead of fighting or not wanting to be in the same room.
I am inspired by my friends who have little ones running around while they are stuck at home and are still keeping positive!
I am having fun by going outdoors every weekend and laughing at silly cat memes on work breaks.
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Thank you so much! 🙂 I’m trusting the same thing – I’m pretty ready, whew! Love how you and your fiance are connecting so wonderfully during this time. I’m also impressed that you’re getting outside; we are so bad about that, but trying to get better since we have a toddler who is becoming more and more antsy LOL
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I have to admit that reading the amount of writing you did for TGIF, but I love the idea. It would be a great exercise to do at the beginning of the week to project positivity into the week. Thank you for sharing this. I’m adding it to my list of notebooking ideas for the month.
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Yay, I’m glad you’re adding it! Thanks for reading even though, yes, it was long LOL 🙂
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I love this idea and will probably copy it next week. Thanks for sharing. And your boy is so cute!
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Yay, I can’t wait to read your post next week!!
Thank you so much; he’s getting pretty silly these days, too! 🙂
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These sound like our Big Rocks we work on weekly in class. They are those things are the major things in our lives right now. They are where to focus our time and energy to finish so that the rest of life can fall in place around us. All those personal and professional things you wrote about seem pretty important to you!
Thank you for sharing these ideas with us! 🙂
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I hadn’t thought of it that way, but I love how true it is! Thank you, thank you for reading and sharing the comparison 🙂
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This is wonderful! This interpretation of TGIF is new to me. I enjoyed reading your reflection. So much good in your life.
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I appreciate you reading, thank you! You are right – lots of good in my life, I have much to be thankful for 🙂
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