Rest, Reflect, Recharge: Finding Balance and Renewal for the Year Ahead

Embracing Rest and Renewal

The week between the holidays and the new year carries its own quiet magic. The usual hustle fades, the world feels softer, and we’re given a rare opportunity to pause and reset. It’s a time when we’re not quite done with the past year yet not fully into the new one—a perfect moment to take a deep breath, reflect on the path so far, and give ourselves permission to rest.

For school leaders, this time is more than just a break. It’s a chance to recharge fully, to step back and see the big picture before diving into the new semester. Rest isn’t a luxury—it’s an essential part of effective leadership. This issue is dedicated to helping you find balance, practice meaningful reflection, and set yourself up for a purposeful start to January.

Authentic Leadership Insights: The Power of Self-Reflection

When was the last time you paused—not just to celebrate successes, but to sit with the moments that stretched you, tested your patience, or left you feeling uncertain? How often do we reflect on what truly shaped us—both the highs and the hard moments? Authentic reflection isn’t about glossing over the struggles; it’s about embracing the full picture and allowing both triumphs and trials to teach us. Growth happens when we give ourselves the space to learn from our struggles and offer grace for the moments that didn’t go as planned.

This year, I took on a new challenge that brought me face-to-face with those very lessons. Preparing to step back into campus administration, I am spending some time teaching in a middle school math classroom to connect with the post-COVID realities of education. The teacher I replaced had faced significant challenges with classroom management and eventually left the profession. Walking into that space was daunting—it wasn’t just a classroom; it felt abandoned, both physically and emotionally.

Even so, these past weeks have already become some of the most meaningful in my career. I’ve been reminded of the resilience educators bring to their work and the transformative power of reflection—not just to improve practices but to extend grace to ourselves and others.

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about showing up with humility, learning alongside others, and embracing the messy, imperfect process of growth. Each day I spend in this classroom is a chance to reflect on what it means to support one another, to move beyond survival, and to cultivate a thriving community. And in the moments when things don’t go as planned, I’m learning to let reflection be a way to extend grace—not only to my students but to myself.

As you take time for yourself this holiday break, what’s one lesson from the past few weeks—or even this past year—that you want to carry forward? How can you use this time to recharge and reconnect with what matters most?

Learning and Growth Spotlight: Self-Care Strategies for Leaders

As leaders, we spend so much time focused on caring for others that we often forget to care for ourselves. But here’s the truth: self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential. To lead with energy, focus, and purpose in the new semester, we need to start by filling our own cups. This holiday break is the perfect opportunity to prioritize yourself. Here are three practical ways to begin:

• Set Boundaries with Work: The temptation to check emails or tweak next semester’s plans “just for a minute” can be strong, but give yourself permission to unplug. Set an ‘out of office’ reply, and more importantly, honor it. The work will still be there when you return, and stepping away now will ensure you have the energy and focus to tackle it later. Trust me, the world won’t end if you don’t respond right away—it’s okay to take this time for yourself.
• Engage in Activities That Bring You Joy: What activities make you feel alive and connected—without the weight of an agenda? Maybe it’s curling up with a book, walking in nature, baking with your kids, or laughing with friends. Joy doesn’t have to be productive; it simply needs to nourish you. Lean into what brings you fulfillment.
• Practice Mindfulness or Meditation: Even a few minutes of mindfulness each day can transform your mental clarity and stress levels. You might try an app like Calm or Headspace, or simply take a quiet walk, focusing on your breath and the rhythm of the world around you. One superintendent I know began practicing daily meditation during their holiday break last year and found it a game-changer for handling the pressures of spring. Small moments of stillness can transform how we lead.

What’s one small self-care habit you can commit to during this break? How might it help you return to school feeling more refreshed, grounded, and ready to lead?

Service Highlights: Giving Back to Yourself and Others

The holiday season often revolves around giving, and as school leaders, we’re no strangers to pouring our time, energy, and care into others. But this year, let’s also make it a priority to give back to ourselves. Self-care and community service don’t have to be opposing forces—they often complement each other beautifully. When we take time to rest and recharge, we serve others with renewed energy and intention.

A principal I know shared a story with me about how she found this balance one December. Her school had partnered with a local food bank to organize a holiday meal distribution for families in need. As part of the project, she volunteered to help pack and hand out meals alongside a group of teachers and student leaders.

What struck her most about the experience wasn’t just the impact it had on the families they served, but the way it brought her closer to her school community. Amid the hustle of packing boxes and greeting families, she found moments to simply connect—laughing with her staff over a shared snack, hearing students reflect on how meaningful it felt to give back, and noticing how much joy small acts of kindness can bring.

At the end of the day, she went home physically tired but emotionally fulfilled. That evening, she decided to take a different approach to her holiday break. Instead of working through her usual to-do list, she spent the next day completely offline—no emails, no planning—just baking cookies with her kids and watching her favorite holiday movie. She told me later that this combination of service and rest helped her start the new year with a sense of clarity and gratitude she hadn’t felt in years.

Her experience reminds us that giving and recharging aren’t just compatible—they’re essential partners. When we serve in ways that connect us to our communities and allow time for renewal, we create a foundation of energy and purpose that carries us through even the busiest seasons.

How can you create space for both giving back and recharging your energy this holiday season? What might that balance look like for you, and how could it set the tone for a purposeful and energized start to the new year?

Parting Thoughts: Stepping into the New Semester with Intention

As this year comes to a close, take a moment to reflect—not just on what you accomplished but on the lessons you learned, both the easy and the challenging. Progress has never been about perfection; it’s about aligning with your purpose and moving forward with intention. The themes we’ve explored—authentic reflection, self-care, and balancing service with rest—are tools you can carry forward to lead with clarity and resilience in the new year.

Looking ahead, our first issue in January will dive into strategies for setting meaningful, realistic goals and embracing adaptive leadership to navigate whatever challenges come your way. But for now, let rest be your priority. Slow down, breathe deeply, and give yourself the time and space to recharge fully.

Closing Thought: Rest isn’t a luxury—it’s essential. This holiday season, allow yourself to slow down, reflect fully, and embrace the quiet renewal this time offers. Here’s to finishing the year with grace and stepping into the next with fresh energy and an open heart.

With purpose,

Russell