Is Teaching Stressing You Out? Here’s How to Start Taking Control

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the demands of teaching? Is the stress of lesson planning, grading, meetings, and ever-changing expectations making you wonder if you can keep going? Basically, is teaching stressing you out? 

If so, you’re not alone. Many teachers reach a breaking point where they start considering a new path but feel stuck, unsure of what to do next.

As a former teacher, I know exactly what that feels like. I spent 18 years in the classroom before I transitioned into running my own online business. Now, I help other teachers take steps toward creating a career that gives them more freedom, balance, and fulfillment.

If you’ve been dreaming of leaving the classroom but feel paralyzed by the “how,” let’s break it down. 

Here are three major reasons why teaching can feel unsustainable and what you can start doing today to take control of your future.

Reason 1: Feeling Trapped Without a Clear Plan

One of the biggest reasons teachers feel stuck is because they don’t have a clear plan for what comes next. 

Ask me how I know!

The thought of leaving teaching is overwhelming because it feels like stepping into the unknown. If you don’t have a direction, it’s easy to stay where you are, even if you’re unhappy.

Solution: Start Exploring Your Options

• Brainstorm Your Skills: Teaching has given you so many transferable skills – communication, organization, leadership, problem-solving. Start listing them out and thinking about how they could be used in other careers.
• Look at What’s Possible: There are so many online business opportunities that allow you to use your strengths while having more flexibility.
• Take Small Steps: You don’t have to have everything figured out today. Start by researching options and getting familiar with what’s out there.

Reason 2: Trying to Do Everything Alone

Teaching often feels like a solo battle. You’re responsible for planning, teaching, grading, managing behaviors, attending meetings…the list goes on. 

When you start considering a career change, it’s easy to carry that same mindset and try to figure it all out by yourself.

But the truth is, you don’t have to navigate this alone.

Solution: Seek Guidance and Support

• Find a Community: Connect with other teachers who have transitioned into new careers. Their experiences can help you see what’s possible.
• Learn from Someone Who’s Been There: If you’re serious about making a change, find a mentor or guide who can help you take the right steps without wasting time.
• Let Go of the Guilt: You are not “just a teacher.” You are a person who deserves a career that fits your life and makes you feel fulfilled.

Reason 3: Feeling Overwhelmed by the Process

Maybe you’ve thought about leaving the classroom before, but every time you start looking into new career options, you feel overwhelmed. There’s so much information out there, and it’s hard to know where to start.

So instead of making progress, you stay stuck in the same cycle wanting something different but not taking action.

Solution: Follow a Simple Plan

• Create a Step-by-Step Plan: You don’t need to figure out everything at once. Just focus on the next small step.
• Use Tools to Stay Organized: Keep track of your ideas, research, and next steps in a simple document or planner.
• Break It Down into Manageable Steps: The process of transitioning out of teaching doesn’t have to be overwhelming when you take it one step at a time.

Final Thoughts

Feeling overwhelmed by teaching doesn’t have to be your reality forever. By exploring your options, finding support, and following a simple plan, you can start creating a path to a new career that gives you the freedom and balance you deserve.If you’re ready to take the first step but aren’t sure where to start, I’ve put together a free guide: The 3-Step Exit Strategy for Teachers. It will walk you through exactly how to begin your transition out of the classroom.

You are not stuck. You have options. And I’m here to help you take that next step.

Feel free to reach out on Instagram @allisonnitsch with any questions. Or visit my website at allisonnitsch.com.