I Give Myself Permission
By: Bong Lau
As the weather warms and the school year begins to wind toward its final stretch, a familiar energy returns to schools everywhere: field trip season. Hallways buzz with excitement, permission slips go home in backpacks, and students eagerly count down the days until they step outside the classroom and into new experiences.
Field trips are about exploration, discovery, and learning beyond the classroom — reminders that growth comes from curiosity and openness to new experiences.
Yet while students prepare for these moments, educators often keep going without pause — planning, organizing, and supporting others, rarely stopping to reflect on their own needs, and
pushing through until they can finally rest.
What permission do I need right now?
This field trip season, consider writing yourself an actual or mental permission slip — not for a destination, but for your well-being, growth, and balance. Here are a few meaningful ways educators can begin.
“I Give Myself Permission to Slow Down”
Education is fast-paced, and the final months of the school year can feel especially intense. There are deadlines, assessments, celebrations, transitions, and countless responsibilities pulling educators in multiple directions.
Giving yourself permission to slow down doesn’t mean falling behind — it means being intentional. It means pausing to breathe, noticing the small moments of joy in your classroom, and allowing yourself to move through the day with presence instead of pressure.
Just like on a field trip, the experience matters as much as the destination.
“I Give Myself Permission to Ask for Help”
No field trip happens alone. There are chaperones, drivers, planners, and team members working together to make the experience possible.
Teaching is no different. It is meant to be collaborative, yet many educators carry the weight of responsibility silently, believing they must manage everything independently.
Giving yourself permission to ask for help — from colleagues, mentors, or support systems — lightens the load and strengthens the community around you. Support is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of wisdom.
“I Give Myself Permission to Enjoy the Moment”
On a field trip, we naturally become more present. We laugh more, notice more, and connect more deeply with our students. The usual routines pause, and the focus shifts to shared experience.
Why should those moments only happen outside the classroom?
Giving yourself permission to enjoy the moment — whether it’s a student’s breakthrough, a spontaneous laugh, or a quiet moment of focus — brings more joy into everyday teaching. It helps us remember why we chose this profession in the first place.
Making Your Own Permission Slip
Just like the slips we send home with students, your permission slip doesn’t need to be complicated. It can be as simple as a few honest statements that reflect what you truly need.
You might write:
I give myself permission to rest.
I give myself permission to make mistakes.
I give myself permission to feel proud of my work.
I give myself permission to say no.
I give myself permission to enjoy teaching again.
These words are not just affirmations — they are commitments to your well-being and growth.
Or print out our version of a Permission Slip and follow the prompts to get clear and double click on the things you want to give yourself permission for.
(Click image to download)
A Final Reflection
Field trip season reminds us that learning is an adventure. It happens when we step outside routine, embrace curiosity, and stay open to new experiences.
As you support your students on their journeys this season, don’t forget to honor your own.
Take a moment, write your permission slip, and ask yourself:
What do I give myself permission to do right now?
Because just like your students, you deserve the opportunity to explore, grow, and thrive — both inside and outside the classroom.