Foreword xiii Introduction xvii My Why xviii A Momentous Road Trip xxi Part I Investing in Yourself 1 Chapter 1 Tending to Your Basic Needs 5 Discover What Works for You 7 Practice Self-Care Competence 8 Maintain Your Self-Care 9 Listen to Your Body 9 Present Your Authentic Self 12 Show Up for Yourself 12 Center Your Well-Being 15 Chapter 2 Cultivating Belonging 19 Identify Belonging versus Fitting In 20 Aim for Belonging 22 Fulfill Your Authentic Self 24 Go to What You Know 25 Reach Out for Support 26 Chapter 3 Feeling Competent 29 Manage with Mindfulness 30 Accept Some Discomfort 31 Affirm Yourself 33 Create Routine 34 Stay Focused on You 35 Drop Something 36 Face Procrastination 37 Strengthen Your Knowledge 39 Chapter 4 Reaching Beyond Everyday Life 41 Dance. Sing. Create. 43 Put Things Down 45 Plan Rest 46 Schedule Dates with Yourself 48 Chapter 5 Engaging in Self- Care with Students 1 51 Start a Win Journal 51 Exercise Your Best Self 52 Practice Mindfulness Together 53 Chapter 6 Establishing Boundaries 1 57 Create Containers 57 Cultivate Spaciousness 58 Part II Reflecting/integrating 1 59 Guided Meditation: Cultivating Joy and Connection with Self 63 Somatic Embodiment Experience 64 Breathing Experience 64 Scent Experience 65 Soundtrack Experience 65 Taste Experience 65 Poetry Experience 67 Part III Nurturing Relationships with Colleagues, Families, and Kids 71 Chapter 7 Modeling and Building Community 75 Create Space to Foster Connection 77 Value Collaboration over Competition 78 Practice "Unmasking" 80 Consent to Vent 81 Find a Polyvagal Partner 83 Chapter 8 Offering and Requesting Meaningful Appreciation 87 Cultivate Gratitude 89 Consider "Code Lavender" 92 Know Your "Why" 93 Practice Celebration 95 Appreciate by Listening 97 Chapter 9 Supporting Students Who''ve Experienced Trauma 101 Study the Science of Trauma 103 Bear Witness, Offer Compassion 105 Favor Connection over Compliance 109 Remember: It''s Not About You 111 Practice Responding Without Harming 112 Chapter 10 Engaging in Self-Care with Students 2 117 Create a Playlist Together 117 Regulate by Embodying 118 Share a Meal Together 118 Rest and Digest 118 Chapter 11 Establishing Boundaries 2 121 Specify Your Limits 121 Choose Boundaries over Burnout 122 Express Yourself 122 Be Gentle with Yourself 123 Part IV Reflecting/integrating 2 125 Naming Your Support 125 Guided Meditation: Cultivating Joy and Connection with Others 126 Somatic Embodiment Experience 127 Breathing Experience 128 Scent Experience 128 Soundtrack Experience 128 Taste Experience 128 Poetry Experience 130 Part V Advocating for Yourself and for Systemic Change 133 Chapter 12 Letting Yourself Be Autonomous 137 Be a Pioneer 139 Make the Invisible Visible 141 Advocate for Accessibility and Equality 143 You Can''t Spell "Resist" Without "Rest" 144 Give Yourself Filler Episode Days 147 Chapter 13 Focusing on What You Know Is Right 151 Work to Change That Which Harms Students 153 Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable 154 Manage Your Expectations 156 Identify the Fear 157 Identify Imperfection versus Dysfunction 158 Create Community 160 Amplify Your Authentic Self 162 Break Stuff and Rebuild It 163 Chapter 14 Addressing Vicarious Trauma 167 Tune In to the Wisdom of Your System 168 Check in with Yourself and Know You Aren''t Alone 171 What You Witness, You Need to Bear Witness To 172 Advocating for Yourself Is Advocating for Others 174 Chapter 15 Engaging in Self-Care with Students 3 177 Cultivate Emotional Wellness 177 Be a Lifelong Learner 178 Trust in Your Own Timing 179 Chapter 16 Establishing Boundaries 3 181 Prioritize Your Well- Being 181 Front- Load Self- Care for Activism 182 Express Emotions Constructively 183 Part VI Reflecting/integrating 3 185 Guided Meditation: Cultivating Joy and Collective Change 186 Somatic Embodiment Experience 188 Breathing Experience 188 Scent Experience 188 Soundtrack Experience 189 Taste Experience 189 Poetry Experience 191 Part VII Finale 193 About the Author 201 Acknowledgments 203 Glossary 205 References 209 Index 219.