Choosing Joy over Dread

On Monday, I return to work after a two-week break. As an educator, it’s easy to dread going back. The challenges, difficulties, and even the tragedies that come with the work are still there, waiting. Part of me wants to stay in bed, pull the covers over my head, or rewind the clock to last week—when an entire stretch of break still lay ahead.

The truth—and the paradox—is this: the very reason I get to enjoy my break is because I have a job. Because, day after day, I show up and put forth the effort to meet the challenges in front of me. Dreading the return is a choice. Being thankful for what I have is a choice, too.

So instead of dread, I choose gratitude. I’m thankful to have a job. Thankful for paid time off. Thankful for friends and family to spend time with. Thankful for quiet coffee shops, new journals, and long walks with the dog.

As you prepare to return to your routine, what might shift if you chose gratitude over dread—even just a little?