Some days, being a freelance music teacher feels like trying to play a symphony while conducting it at the same time.
You’re teaching back-to-back lessons, running your business, answering parent emails, managing your own family life, and somehow trying to keep your creative spark alive through it all.
I’ve been there.
That feeling when your schedule’s so full you can’t tell whether you’re tired or just out of caffeine.
That feeling when your schedule’s so full you can’t tell whether you’re tired or just out of caffeine.
But here’s the truth: performing at your best in teaching, business, and life isn’t about squeezing more in. It’s about learning how to protect your energy so you can actually show up fully for the things (and people) that matter most.
1. Stop Managing Time. Start Managing Energy.
We love to believe time is the problem.
It’s not. Energy is.
It’s not. Energy is.
You can’t teach eight lessons in a day and expect every one to get your best self if you don’t protect the fuel that makes you you.
Here’s what actually helps:
- Batch your energy, not your tasks. Notice when you naturally have more focus or patience, and save your most demanding students for that window.
- Build reset moments between lessons. Two minutes of silence, a short walk, a drink of water. It’s not wasted time; it’s recovery.
- Track your rhythms, not your hours. Are you sharper in the morning? More creative at night? Build around that.
This shift changes everything. Because when your energy is managed well, your schedule doesn’t control you. You control it.
2. Guard Your Focus Like It’s Gold
Teaching is performance.
It’s focus, empathy, creativity, and problem-solving all rolled into one. And that kind of output requires mental space.
It’s focus, empathy, creativity, and problem-solving all rolled into one. And that kind of output requires mental space.
To protect it:
- Feed your brain, not just your body. Protein and hydration beat sugar crashes every time.
- Rethink caffeine. If you need a second cup by 10 a.m., your system’s asking for support, not more stimulation.
- Practice micro rests. Two quiet minutes before a lesson can reset your brain faster than a long break you’ll never actually take.
And while I’m not here to sell you on any quick fix, I am a believer in modern tools that support focus and recovery from the inside out, like the natural amino acid compounds (yes, peptides) that some creative entrepreneurs are using to stay sharp without burning out.
We’ll get into that more in another post.
3. Rest Is a Skill, Not a Reward
If you wait to rest until you’ve earned it, you’ll never rest.
And without rest, your body can’t recover, your creativity can’t breathe, and your patience can’t stretch.
And without rest, your body can’t recover, your creativity can’t breathe, and your patience can’t stretch.
Real rest looks like this:
- Going to bed earlier than your brain wants to.
- Stretching between lessons even when you’d rather scroll.
- Taking one evening completely off from work each week, not to catch up, but to just be.
- Nourishing your body with simple meals that stabilize energy instead of spiking it.
Rest isn’t lazy. It’s preparation. It’s the behind-the-scenes rehearsal that lets you keep performing at a high level both in business and at home.
4. Build Your Performance Stack
I call it a performance stack because it’s what supports you when everything else feels stacked against you.
Think of it as the few things that keep your mind clear and your body strong enough to handle the schedule you’ve built.
Mine looks something like this:
- A grounding morning routine with five minutes of silence before the noise starts.
- Midday movement, a walk or stretch instead of another scroll break.
- Fuel that lasts, real food and water instead of caffeine and adrenaline.
- Cellular recovery tools, the behind-the-scenes science like peptides that help my body bounce back faster than it used to.
Your stack doesn’t have to look like mine. But having one changes everything.
5. Your Students Feel Your Energy
It’s easy to forget this, but your students don’t just learn from what you teach. They learn from how you show up.
When you’re centered, they sense it.
When you’re rushing, they mirror it.
Your energy sets the tone for every lesson, every conversation, every creative moment. Protecting that energy isn’t selfish. It’s responsible. It’s how you sustain a teaching career that doesn’t burn you out.
Because performing at your best doesn’t mean running faster.
It means learning to move through your days with enough space to breathe, create, and still have something left for yourself when it’s over.
Caring for a toddler is a joyful yet demanding task. As a young mom, maintaining your energy while keeping up with your little one can feel overwhelming. Here are five essential tips to help you boost your energy levels (without caffeine!) and effectively engage with your toddler throughout the day.
1. Create an Engaging Play Environment with Fun Activities
Design a safe, stimulating play area that encourages independent play while incorporating enjoyable activities:
- Toddler-Friendly Zone: Set up a designated space filled with age-appropriate toys and activities that spark curiosity.
- Rotate Toys: Regularly change out toys to keep your child interested and engaged for longer periods.
- Low-Impact Activities: Engage in activities like reading stories or doing simple arts and crafts projects while seated comfortably. This fosters bonding and learning without exhausting you.
2. Focus on High-Protein Nutrition for Sustained Energy
A balanced, protein-rich diet is crucial for maintaining high energy levels:
- Prioritize Protein: Incorporate high-protein snacks and meals throughout the day. Options like Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, hard-boiled eggs, and nut butter provide sustained energy.
- Nutrient-Dense Drinks: Consider adding the red juice from the 11 Day Jumpstart to your routine. This drink is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
- Meal Prep: Prepare protein-packed meals in advance, such as chicken or egg or oat meals & snacks, ensuring you always have nutritious options ready.
3. Stay Hydrated for Optimal Performance
Proper hydration is essential for maintaining energy levels:
- Keep Water Accessible: Always have a water bottle nearby to remind yourself to drink throughout the day.
- Flavor Your Water: Add fruits like lemon or berries or cucumber to your water for taste and extra nutrients.
- Protein Shakes: protein shakes can be a delicious way to increase protein intake while satisfying cravings. I personally like this one.
4. Involve Your Toddler in Daily Tasks
Transform routine chores into fun, engaging activities for your toddler:
- Collaborative Cooking: Make meal preparation a joint effort by assigning simple tasks like washing vegetables or stirring batter.
- Cleaning Games: Turn cleaning into a game with timed pick-up challenges or sorting activities. This keeps your toddler occupied while teaching valuable life skills.
- Check out this book for more ideas on how to involve your toddler in daily life tasks!
5. Prioritize Sleep for Better Energy Management
Getting enough rest is vital for maintaining energy levels:
- Establish a Sleep Routine: Aim to go to bed at the same time each night and create a calming bedtime routine that helps you unwind.
- Nap When Possible: If your toddler naps during the day, take advantage of that time to rest or catch up on sleep.
- Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to ask family or friends for babysitting help so you can enjoy some much-needed downtime.
- Need more sleep ideas? Check out 11 Tips for Better Sleep without Side Effects
By implementing these strategies, you can effectively manage your energy levels while keeping up with your toddler. Remember to listen to your body, take breaks when needed, and cherish this special time with your little one! These tips not only enhance your daily routine but also create memorable experiences that benefit both you and your child.
Exhausted.
That was the emotion I thought I felt. I know, I know.... exhaustion doesn't sound like an emotion word, but I felt it in my bones, I lived it day by day and hour by hour.
That weight of never being done practicing or lesson planning. The long hours under fluorescent lights, trying to study through the pain or finish up cleaning recorders before running home to teach lessons and finally collapsing in bed after scrambling to put a semblance of a meal together. The loneliness of working non-stop, rushing from class to class without true connection with another adult.
The lack of deep friendship and understanding. The never feeling good enough. The push push push without relief, without let-up. The feeling like "classroom" teachers aka grade level teachers (I never liked that term, don't I teach in a classroom too?!) were superior just because we provided their prep time during the day to have a full, uninterrupted hour to plan while we were left with the scraps of 10/20/30 minute chunks to try to get something meaningful accomplished before running out to do bus duty.
This was the biggest thing, though, that I felt when in the rat-race of the typical college education degree and subsequent years of teaching in public education: Exhaustion.
This is why burn-out happens so quickly and easily, especially with the younger generation. Why?
Because we've pulled back the curtain, we've seen that it doesn't and shouldn't have to be this way.
That was the emotion I thought I felt. I know, I know.... exhaustion doesn't sound like an emotion word, but I felt it in my bones, I lived it day by day and hour by hour.
That weight of never being done practicing or lesson planning. The long hours under fluorescent lights, trying to study through the pain or finish up cleaning recorders before running home to teach lessons and finally collapsing in bed after scrambling to put a semblance of a meal together. The loneliness of working non-stop, rushing from class to class without true connection with another adult.
The lack of deep friendship and understanding. The never feeling good enough. The push push push without relief, without let-up. The feeling like "classroom" teachers aka grade level teachers (I never liked that term, don't I teach in a classroom too?!) were superior just because we provided their prep time during the day to have a full, uninterrupted hour to plan while we were left with the scraps of 10/20/30 minute chunks to try to get something meaningful accomplished before running out to do bus duty.
This was the biggest thing, though, that I felt when in the rat-race of the typical college education degree and subsequent years of teaching in public education: Exhaustion.
This is why burn-out happens so quickly and easily, especially with the younger generation. Why?
Because we've pulled back the curtain, we've seen that it doesn't and shouldn't have to be this way.
Do I judge any of my teacher friends for continuing to choose the public system, or friends who have kids in that system? Absolutely not! What is right for me in these situations may not be right for you, and vice versa. What I DO know, though, is that there are SO many teachers like me, well-meaning and very good, but just not suited for the mold that is public education.
In particular I have created a space where I no longer have to feel caught in the middle to provide for my family.
I can have BOTH. I can experience the joy of teaching AND make a good income (a lot more than I did as a young public school teacher). I can experience rest AND meaningful work. I can lesson plan AND have time to use the restroom whenever I want. I can enjoy kids and their smiles and laughter in large or small group settings AND go home at a reasonable time of day to make dinner for my family and enjoy the sunshine and snuggling my dog. I can get all I need to done and more AND have my weekend to myself now!
There's more to this life than work. But I wanted my work to be fulfilling and meaningful and have IMPACT.
I can choose how to run my schedule now. I choose my hours. And I don't have to teach private music lessons unless I want to (which I do, but it's my choice, not my duty to make a few extra $).
And you can too. It's not rocket science. :) But there are practical steps and considerations to make. Come learn with me how.
In particular I have created a space where I no longer have to feel caught in the middle to provide for my family.
I can have BOTH. I can experience the joy of teaching AND make a good income (a lot more than I did as a young public school teacher). I can experience rest AND meaningful work. I can lesson plan AND have time to use the restroom whenever I want. I can enjoy kids and their smiles and laughter in large or small group settings AND go home at a reasonable time of day to make dinner for my family and enjoy the sunshine and snuggling my dog. I can get all I need to done and more AND have my weekend to myself now!
There's more to this life than work. But I wanted my work to be fulfilling and meaningful and have IMPACT.
I can choose how to run my schedule now. I choose my hours. And I don't have to teach private music lessons unless I want to (which I do, but it's my choice, not my duty to make a few extra $).
And you can too. It's not rocket science. :) But there are practical steps and considerations to make. Come learn with me how.
How can I get rid of anxiety?
This is a question I asked myself a LOT when I was hardcore struggling. I mean, I felt like I was powerless over the thoughts and feelings running through my mind and body, and it was very difficult. For a long time, I couldn't believe I had any control over it -- I thought I was just at the mercy of it.
But I realized later how wrong that was... how it didn't at ALL fit into my beliefs.
I believe personally that God lives within me, that I have His power and strength and love residing in my heart and mind and soul and spirit. If that's true (which if you don't believe that's true, replace it with love or the universe or something else... what fits your framework, just hear what I'm saying).
If God lives within me, I 1000% have His power to take control of thoughts and feelings within me. I'm fallible and will make mistakes being human too, but I CAN reclaim that power of God in me through the strength of the Holy Spirit -- "not a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind."
Here's one way you can do that, one antidote for fear, anxiety, and worry. Be filled with courage.
Do you wake up in the morning feeling energized and alive? If you answer “no” to that, you’re not alone. SO many people are leading busy lives during the day and not getting enough restful sleep at night, and feel like they are dragging during the day. I know I was a few years ago.
If you are stressed-out and sleep-deprived, it is likely that you are turning to refined sugars and caffeine to get through the day. The problem is not your morning cup of coffee or enjoying the taste... the problem is when the resulting blood sugar crash leads to an afternoon coffee or sugar craving and then another, and another, and another...
Once the cycle has started, it’s very difficult to achieve a state of balance until it's broken. When the body’s natural energy rhythms are off, these issues can pop up: raging food cravings, weakened immune system, increased inflammation in the body, weight issues, difficulty with restful sleep, and more.
In order to proactively care for your body, soul, and mind, it is important to break the cycle. Some people can quit caffeine and sugar cold turkey. Most people struggle with that, though. Since sugar and caffeine are addictive, withdrawals are common, usually in the form of headaches and fatigue. Gradually reduce the amount you’re consuming AND find a replacement that will truly fuel your body's need for energy. Often we also become attached to the routine, so it is important to find something else that can be just as emotionally satisfying. I have LOTS of great healthful fuel ideas in Abundant Life Community.
It's not that you have to go the rest of your life without birthday cake or an occasional cappuccino. These foods are meant to be enjoyed in very occasional moderation. If daily indulgences begin to take their toll on energy levels, take simple steps to regain control and reconnect with feeling naturally alert and energized all day long. It's 100% doable!! But it starts with belief, mindset, and practical action steps. Having a cheerleader can be SO beneficial along the way, too. I'm starting a natural energy challenge mid-April if you would like practical steps, a mentor to walk you through it, and the determination to complete what you start! Contact me if you're interested, and I'll ask you a few basic questions to ensure that this challenge is right for you.
