We always talk about “the Christmas holidays”…but let’s be honest — for those who work in schools, Christmas doesn’t always feel like a holiday.
December is all nativity, glitter and carols.
A rush to finish school.
Followed by a rush to get Christmas ready.
House sorted.
Food ordered.
Guests arriving.
Presents bought (or hunted for).
Family logistics.
Travelling.
And before you know it…
You’re back!
So if you’re feeling tired at a level that’s hard to even name?
You are not alone.
Most heads I work with feel exactly the same at this point in the year.
But here’s something I’d love you to hear:
You’ve done amazingly this term.
You’ve carried your school with such heart.
And the difference you’ve made will ripple out far beyond this season.
How do I know?
Because I talk to you — or those just like you — all week long.
And you are incredible.
So here’s a reflection for the week:
👉 Where could you find even a sliver of real rest — the kind that actually restores you?
And because we all rest differently, here are a few gentle ideas.
Not perfect rest — but some real rest.
If you’re more introvert-leaning:
💛 A walk on your own
💛 A morning in silence
💛 A book in bed
💛 A quiet half hour (or even hour) with no demands, no talking, no noise
If you’re more extrovert-leaning:
💛 A coffee with someone who fills your cup
💛 A family day that’s fun rather than frantic
💛 A meal out where you don’t have to cook or host
💛 A moment of laughter that shakes the term out of your shoulders
And if you’re somewhere in the middle (like most of us), mix the two.
Enough connection to feel held.
Enough solitude to feel human again.
However you spend the next couple of weeks,
I hope there’s a pocket of time that’s truly yours.
Where you can breathe, settle, and soften.
Thank you for everything you’ve done for your children, your staff, and your community.
It matters more than you know.
Wishing you a gentle, cosy, restorative Christmas,
Sonia 💛