menu

Reset to Reimagine

Why This Summer Break Is Sacred

 “You don’t build a new vision on a burned-out foundation.”

Whew.
Another school year in the books. And whether it felt like a sprint, a marathon, or a whole obstacle course, you made it.

But before we dive into the PD sessions, planning meetings, and back-to-school prep (because let’s be honest, the calendar never really clears)…
Let me invite you to pause.

Not just to catch your breath.
But to reset—and reimagine.

The Truth About Rest (That No One Taught Us in Leadership School)

Somewhere along the way, we learned that rest was the opposite of productivity. That to be a strong leader meant pushing through exhaustion, being available 24/7, and skipping self-care in the name of service.

But that’s not sustainable—and it’s not transformative.

The most visionary leaders I know?
They protect their rest like they protect their values.

Because they know something sacred happens when you stop doing and start being.
That’s where reflection lives.
That’s where new ideas take root.
That’s where burnout gets replaced with clarity.

Not All Rest Is the Same

You’ve probably heard of “getting more sleep,” but did you know there are 7 types of rest?

  • Physical
  • Mental
  • Emotional
  • Social
  • Creative
  • Sensory
  • Spiritual

Each one meets a different need—and each one has the power to restore something specific in you.

Woman sitting in a classroom with a board that says Rest in Session

💡 Not sure where to start?

 Grab my free download:

 👉🏽 [The 7 Types of Rest for Educators + Leaders]

A Summer Example: Try Creative Rest

Let’s make this practical.
Here’s how you can try one type of rest this week:

Creative Rest
Spend one hour this week doing something that wakes up your imagination.
No agenda. No pressure to be productive.
Just play—as an act of restoration.

Here are a few ideas:

  • Visit a new exhibit or gallery
  • Journal using colors or doodles
  • Take a walk and notice textures and shapes
  • Rearrange a space in your home
  • Listen to music that inspires you (without multitasking!)

Why This Matters

When we allow ourselves space to rest, we return not just replenished, but re-centered.
And from that place, we don’t just react to the demands of the next school year…
We reimagine it.

We ask better questions.
We see our students differently.
We lead with more joy and less fear.

So yes, go ahead and nap.
Take the trip.
Say no to one more Zoom call.

Because this summer break? It’s sacred.
And so are you.

With you in the pause and the purpose,
Deonna