Re-Entering the Water: How to Swim with Strength & Sustainability (Part 2)

Rested. Recharged. Now, how do we get back in the water without drowning?

Last week, I had to step out of the water. I was carrying so much—so many problems I couldn’t fix, so many situations I had no control over, so much weight that wasn’t even mine to hold. I had to pause, breathe, and let it go.

If you read Part 1, you know we talked about D.R.I.F.T.—taking time to disconnect, restore, invest in ourselves, fuel our bodies and minds, and reflect before diving back in.

Now comes the hard part: getting back in the water.

When the waves are still unpredictable, the system is still shifting, and the workload hasn’t changed, how do we re-enter without getting pulled under again?

The answer? We don’t swim the same way we did before.

1. Choose Your Entry Point Wisely

When you first learned to swim, you didn’t just dive straight into the deep end, right? You eased in, tested the water, and found your rhythm before going full force.

Okay, full confession: That wasn’t exactly my experience. Our dad threw me straight into the deep end and said, “She’s got it.” And I did. I popped up and started swimming. That moment shaped me—teaching me resilience, confidence, and how to figure things out quickly.

For much of my life, I’ve tackled challenges the same way: head-on, no hesitation, trusting that I’d find my way. And while that approach has served me well, wisdom has taught me that navigating life—especially as an educator and leader—isn’t always about diving in immediately.

Now, as the woman I’ve grown into, I get to decide how I enter the water. I can assess, strategize, and ease in when needed. Strength isn’t just about survival—it’s about knowing when to pace yourself, when to push forward, and when to float.

Re-entering after burnout or exhaustion is the same.

????♀? Start small – Don’t jump straight into everything. Pick one task, one priority, or one change to focus on.

????♂? Set boundaries – Just because you’re back doesn’t mean you have to say "yes" to everything.

????♀? Acknowledge what’s different – You’ve changed. Your perspective has shifted. Move forward accordingly.

?? Ask yourself: What’s one thing I can control as I step back in?

2. Change Your Stroke

If freestyle was exhausting you before, maybe now you need to try backstroke. If the butterfly felt overwhelming, maybe now’s the time for a steady breaststroke.

Translation? Don’t go back to doing things the same way if they weren’t working. Change your pace, your strategy, your approach.

?? Work smarter, not harder. Where can you create systems to lighten your load? ?? Delegate. Automate. Eliminate. What tasks can be passed on, streamlined, or removed altogether? ?? Give yourself grace. You’re not the same person who stepped out of the water—you’re wiser, stronger, and more aware.

?? Ask yourself: What needs to shift in how I work to keep me from burning out again?

3. Find Your Lifeguards & Swim Team

No one should be swimming alone. The biggest mistake we make is thinking we have to do it all by ourselves.

?? Identify your lifeguards – Who are the people looking out for you? Who will pull you back when they see you struggling?

?? Strengthen your swim team – Surround yourself with people who get it—colleagues, mentors, and friends who understand the waters you’re navigating.

?? Be a lifeguard for someone else – Sometimes, the best way to stay afloat is to help someone else stay above water too.

?? Ask yourself: Who do I need in my circle to help me stay steady in these waters?

4. Keep Floating When Necessary

Not every moment requires full effort. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is float.

? Protect your peace—log off, step away, and take a breath.

? Give yourself permission to pause—just because you’re back in doesn’t mean you can’t rest.

? Remember that survival is still progress—floating is still moving forward.

?? Ask yourself: Am I allowing myself to rest when I need it?

Final Takeaway: Swim with Purpose, Not Pressure

You’re back in the water—but this time, you’re different.

?? You know when to pause. ?? You know what needs to change. ?? You know who’s in your corner. ?? And you know that you don’t have to swim the way you used to.

The goal isn’t just to survive the waves—it’s to swim smarter, stronger, and with more intention.

?? Let’s talk: How are you re-entering the water differently this time? What’s your new stroke? Drop a comment or share your thoughts!

?? Missed Part 1? Read it here: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/when-its-time-get-out-water-self-care-educators-part-1-gordon-xq6he

?? Read & share Part 2?

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