Moving out of your parent’s house or town and adjusting to living on your own in a remote outback community is exciting but also challenging. Most young people’s first time living out of the family home… is in the same suburb!
I (Hakea) had been living out of home throughout university before moving interstate for my first teaching role- so if you are moving out of home for your first time to a remote outback community… it is BIG!
One of the most important things to remember when making this transition is to take care of yourself. Self-care is essential to maintaining your physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
Here are a few tips for practicing self-care when adjusting to living on your own:
- Set aside time for yourself- Make time each day to do something that you enjoy. This could be reading a book, taking a walk, or practicing yoga.
- Connect with others- Building a support system is important when adjusting to living on your own. Connect with new friends and colleagues, back home friends and family, join an online club or group, or seek out a therapist or counselor to talk to (in your remote community, the bigger town or online).
- Get enough sleep- A good night’s sleep is essential for both physical and mental well-being. Set a consistent sleep schedule and establish a bedtime routine to help you relax and fall asleep.
- Eat well- Eating a healthy diet can improve your mood and energy levels. Try to cook at home as often as possible and make a point to include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your meals. We know this can be hard in a remote outback community. Bulk buying frozen or canned food in the nearest big town, having a fresh herb garden at home, meal prep to help with healthy meals after tough days are all good strategies.
- Stay active- Regular exercise is a great way to boost your mood and reduce stress. Find an activity you enjoy, whether it’s going for a run, playing sports, or taking a fitness class (online, with other remote outback teachers together or if you are lucky, in community!). We know it is hard when things can be so HOT! Scheduling a time that isn’t so hot or humid, doing your exercise inside or using the community pool are all good hints to be more active.
- Set boundaries- Learn to set boundaries with yourself and others. This means being honest with yourself about what you need and saying no when you need to.
- Practice mindfulness- Mindfulness practices such as meditation, journaling, or deep breathing can help you to relax and stay present in the moment. A journal will also be a nice keepsake of your time remote.
- Take care of your living space- A clean and tidy living space can improve your mood and reduce stress. Set aside time each week to declutter and organise your living space.
Remember that self-care is ongoing and should be a part of your daily routine. Adjusting to living on your own takes time and patience, but by prioritising your well-being, you can make the transition a little bit easier.
Did you know wellbeing is one of the modules in our New Remote Teacher course? Well worth checking out!
Loved this post? You might also like to read: Crime and Security as a Remote Teacher, Questions to ask your principal after winning your teaching position in a remote community school, What Should I Pack To Take Remote?
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