What Keeps Me Going.

Cassie Beccari's Man Ride Story.

By Black Sheep Cycling

October 18^th, 2021

Being someone's support network can be draining. This can be taken to another level when your job relies on being that network. Special needs educator Cassie Beccari shares her tips on how to take time for yourself and prioritise your own physical and emotional wellbeing, while being confined to a Governmental restricted 5km radius.

y profession as a teacher for children with special needs is so incredibly rewarding, however it can be emotionally and mentally draining.

I’ve taught students in many different settings, most recently in a hospital where I had the opportunity to teach students who had experienced life changing levels of physical and mental trauma. Although this was challenging, it really taught me to appreciate the little things in life, as life is so precious.

From this setting I moved to where I am now, working with students who have possibly come from little and have had a rough start in life. My team and I help provide these children with an opportunity where they can turn their lives around with positive experiences, like being at the beach for the first time in their lives. We focus one social and emotional wellbeing to equip them with the tools to grow into happy and healthy members of society.

"So that I can show up and be in my best form every day, my mental and emotional health is of utmost importance. "

The best start to my day is my commute to work on my bike. To ride out of the city and then over the headland to the view of the ocean and beach is something I appreciate every day. To then be able to cycle home after a challenging day helps to clear my mind. There is just something about the repetitive motion, the breeze on my face and the option to raise the heart rate or keep it steady that works wonders.

I like to be busy on a weekend and explore new places by bike with my friends. And then also in between catching up with friends and family I love to bake, puzzle and jump in the ocean.

Apart from cycling (which really does help me the most) these are some strategies I focus on with my students and myself to build social and emotional wellbeing:

Self Worth.

It is really important to be able to identify your own and others strengths. This can be quite challenging if you don’t have people around you who believe in you. Believing in yourself, can begin with writing down some of your own strengths and see where it takes you. You can reflect on these continually as you grow and change.

Staying Connected.

Communicating is such an important part of life and can be done in many ways. Learning the skills of effective communication can help you foster positive relationships in life.

Gratitude.

Gratitude helps to bring you joy when it is actively practiced. Keeping gratitude journals, sharing your gratitude with others at a regular time during the day, find a way that works for you.

To anybody reading this, know that however you may feel, you are not alone in what you’re going through. Don’t be afraid to seek help, it was one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself.