Check Your After-Work Self

Written By Cynthia Skyers-Gordon

Sometimes the clearest sign of how work is affecting you shows up after you've left work.

Why It Matters:
We often judge our workday by whether we made it through. But making it through the day doesn't tell us what the day took from us. If work consistently follows you home through exhaustion, irritability, silence, overthinking, or replaying conversations, that's worth noticing.

Try This:

  • Notice Your First 30 Minutes – When you get home, pay attention to who shows up. Are you relaxed? Irritable? Quiet? Mentally still at work?

  • Name What Followed You Home – Ask yourself, What am I carrying right now that actually belongs to the workday?

  • Look for the Pattern – Don't judge yourself based on one difficult day. Pay attention to what happens repeatedly.

Quick Tip:
Before you walk through your front door, remind yourself:
“Work had my time today. It doesn't automatically get my evening too.”

Reflect:
Who are you becoming after work and is that the person you want the people you love, including yourself, to receive?

Cynthia Skyers-Gordon

Dr. Cynthia Skyers-Gordon, Ed.D. is the founder of SILWELL-C (Staff-Inspired Leadership for Wellness and Calm), a wellness initiative created to empower educators, leaders, and teams to thrive from within. With more than 33 years of experience in early childhood education, from assistant teacher to director to Education Coordinator, Dr. Skyers-Gordon understands the challenges and opportunities staff face each day.

SILWELL-C was born from her belief that true wellness in schools starts with the staff themselves. By providing calm leadership strategies, practical tools, affirmations, and inspiration, SILWELL-C equips educators and leaders to create supportive, balanced environments where both staff and children can flourish.

Through workshops, consultations, and creative resources, Dr. Skyers-Gordon combines her in-depth expertise with a passion for cultivating resilience, connection, and calm in every space. Whether it’s through her upcoming Wellness Toolkit, the JamBel Storybook, or the Free Wellness Hub, she continues to design practical ways for educators and leaders to sustain their own wellness while inspiring others.

At its core, SILWELL-C is more than a program; it’s a movement: a reminder that when staff lead with wellness, schools grow with strength, calm, and confidence.

https://www.silwellc.com
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