Julie Soares - Teacher Wellbeing

09/08/2026

At the beginning of August, I wrote my second substack article, continuing to challenge societal beliefs. This one is entitled Permission to Slow Down. I realized today, as I begin writing my next article, that I forgot to share it!
So here it is:

What's the rush?

07/21/2026

I’ve been spending time with my extended family as we hosted our family reunion this past weekend. As a group, we thoroughly enjoy Trevor Noah’s comedy. Through various discussions with my cousin, who also recently moved back to Canada from abroad, I was reminded of this clip, and how different cultures value different things. I find that in North America, it’s all about the “hustle”. (I have many thoughts on this and will write a longer post in the future but for now, I started addressing this idea of questioning status quo in my first substack post, Permission to Be).

Take a watch and let me know what you think. Have you experienced this before? Where one of the first ways you identify yourself is tied to your job?

How does it feel? Do you wish it were different?

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1Kfn5Y7h3x/?

07/10/2026

For some reason, I am not able to share my first Substack article with you directly...
However, I am returning to one of my favourite forms of expression and reflection - writing.
I hope that pieces of this resonate with you, I am sure that they will.
I will be continuing with the themes of productivity, identity and worth over the next few weeks.

Redefining Productivity

06/17/2026

I've joked a few times this year that I'm "retired."
The truth is that while I haven't been productive in the traditional work sense, I have been very busy.
I've spent much of the last year putting my body back together.
Between surgery recovery, physiotherapy, appointments, strengthening exercises, and learning how to manage my energy differently, there hasn't been nearly as much free time as people might imagine. Healing takes time. Rebuilding takes time.
What has surprised me is how much I've enjoyed the slower pace.
For the first time in a long time, I've had space to be creative without feeling drained. I've had time to read, learn, reflect, and follow my curiosity. I've fallen down many neuroscience rabbit holes and become fascinated by the connections between stress, learning, wellbeing, and the nervous system.
One thing I've been reflecting on a lot is sustainability.
I experienced burnout years ago, and I'm actually grateful for that experience because it helped me recognize the signs much earlier this time. What I didn't expect was how much recovery and rebuilding would still be needed once I stepped away.
This year has reminded me that healing isn't unproductive. Sometimes the most important work we do is the work that nobody else can see.
As I continue exploring what comes next, I'll be sharing more about wellbeing, nervous system regulation, sustainability, and what it means to support ourselves while continuing to care deeply for others.
What has been your biggest lesson from a season of slowing down?

06/17/2026

I am making some changes to my page. You will notice that I am updating the name with my updated direction based on reflecting on where I am at right now.

05/23/2026

As you may have noticed, I struggle with posting online…
But here is a podcast that I think could be very informative for many of you on the Vagus Nerve. I have previously heard Dr. Habib speak before and I appreciate his scientific approach.

Let me know what you think in the comments 👇

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6ZVPrzOKmhoQLaXeJ5ACmd?si=8xckZ50xSEG422U5jWllvw

Gordon Medical Forum · Episode

04/13/2026

Something to think about

04/09/2026

I’ve been reflecting on this lately. Some of you know that I have been taking time off because I was feeling burnt out. When I was speaking with one of my classmates who has ADHD, she told me how she now has a 70% rule when starting a new job. Because our 100% is not sustainable (and often more than what others effort is). This is very hard for me, as I often equate productivity with worth. Thanks SB for giving me this to think about 💗 It has also been a time for me to acknowledge how chronic pain and strength exercises to maintain reasonable function

01/31/2026

As I prepare for my Dark Feminine circle tomorrow, I am revisiting my own experiences with perfectionism. For many years, I have felt the pressure to maintain a perfect image, especially when it came to academics.
And so I want to take a moment to talk about perfectionism — not as a trait, but as a response to pressure.
Perfectionism doesn’t come out of nowhere. Neither does pressure.
Sometimes it comes from others — expectations to be reliable, strong, or “the one who has it handled.”

Sometimes it comes from society — productivity, achievement, worth tied to output.
And often, over time, it comes from inside — the voice that says I should be able to do this, I can’t drop the ball, I have to get this right.
That’s why the song Surface Pressure hits so hard for me. (https://youtu.be/tQwVKr8rCYw?si=Vx7lMoi8I3YqSeWU)
Luisa isn’t just carrying physical weight — she’s carrying:
Fear of letting others down

Fear of losing love or belonging

Fear that rest equals failure

Fear that if she stops, everything falls apart

That’s how pressure becomes perfectionism.
Not because someone wants to be flawless — but because being perfect feels safer than being vulnerable.
Your perfectionism is not a personality flaw. It’s a strategy built around fear and expectation.
You’re allowed to question:
Which expectations are actually mine?

Which fears are driving my need to get it right?

What would happen if I didn’t carry this alone?

If this resonates with you, there is still time to join my Dark Feminine Circle — happening tomorrow, Sunday Feb 1st at 10am MST.
If you’d like to join, you can complete the form and I’ll send you the Zoom link 💛
https://forms.gle/B9AFMrsmHF1rF9xp9

12/29/2025

It’s been frigid outside, so I took the opportunity to tackle this beautiful puzzle! This is an activity that gets me into the flow zone😁. What gets you in the zone?