In this solo episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, it’s just me reflecting on what a truly thriving school might look like. This week, AI gave me a suggestion of what a “perfect day” in school could be, and honestly… It made me laugh. From calm mornings and joyful lunches to smooth lessons and a stress-free 5 p.m. finish, it painted a picture that felt miles away from reality.

So I started to wonder: what does a real day in school actually look like? And more importantly, what would it take for us to thrive within that reality of the chaos, the unpredictability, and the constant demands we face as educators and leaders?

Drawing on my 30+ years in schools around the world, including a story from a little school in Poland where children hid in cupboards on my first day, I explore the truth that schools are full of messy, marvelous humans. We care deeply, but that caring can come at a cost.

In this episode, I share my own experience of burnout, how I let work become my identity, and what I’ve learned since about boundaries, rest and the courage to switch off. I also talk about small, practical ways we can begin to change things right now: five-minute pauses, leaving work on time once a week, and remembering that our worth isn’t tied to how hard we work.

I also introduce 5 Minutes to Thrive, the course I created to help staff teams build reflection and wellbeing into their weekly routine. It’s not another wellbeing add-on; it’s about changing habits and mindsets so we can all become stronger, calmer, and more creative versions of ourselves.

In this episode, I explore:

• The difference between the “ideal” school day and our lived reality.

• Why it’s so easy to let work become our identity and how to stop it.

• The hidden cost of constant caring and why we need to switch off.

• How I learned to rest, reset, and reclaim balance after burnout.

• Why thriving teachers create thriving schools (and even better student outcomes).

• Simple challenges you can start today, like putting yourself first for just one hour this week.

Want to find out more about my new course 5 Minutes to Thrive? Go to my website at www.rowenahicks.com

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