I already sense this post's title is not getting any of your sympathy. You can stop growling at me now.
I acknowledge the gaping hole in my work calendar each year is a a luxury that the greater part of the working world doesn't enjoy. But, too much of anything is never a good thing and I am reminded of that each July when my short summer school stint comes to an end and my annual travels are still far on the horizon. With no wake up time, no schedule, little to no obligations, and not very much company, I inevitably fall into a restless funk where I throw daily pity parties for myself and do everything short of jumping in my car and driving aimlessly just to stay busy.
This lack-of-routine-itis is easily cured by an international journey--somewhere around the end of July--which reminds me how darn blessed I am to be afforded such an opportunity, then thoroughly exhausts me and gives me a new found appreciation for the lazy comforts of home. By the time I return in August, or thereabouts, I'm struck by the realization the new school year is only weeks away and my mind is consumed with thoughts of planning, organization, and anticipation (err, anxiety more like it) of my new "little darlings" for the year.
It isn't until the final full week of summer break (which, if you're keeping count, is right now) that I fully appreciate and truly embrace the gift of summer break. My only explanation for this phenomenon is the understanding that life will be hectic again in a very short time and, as a result, I feel much more entitled to and deserving of my freedom in the present moment.
If the close relativity of my summer break to the beginning of the school year is what breaks me out of my summer break funk, it makes me toy with the idea of endorsing year-round schooling (I think I just heard a teacher somewhere reading this scream). In this format, teachers still receive the same quantity of days off, they are just much more spread out, in much smaller increments. If this were my situation, I imagine I might have greater access to the contentment of blissful nothingness for days on end, knowing I'll be back to the grindstone very soon.
But, no. I am left to the miserable fate of 80 days' break for now. At least I don't have to worry about lack-of-routine-itis again until December when I get another 2 weeks off. Sigh.
You may commence throwing tomatoes, now.
Nice post Megan. I've experienced what you speak of here. Once, back in the late 90s, I had a period of about a month where I was between jobs and I was very excited about the time off. I don't remember much of what I did during that month but I clearly remember being very glad to return to work. It's the routine thing for me too. I need external constraints on my life or else I just drift aimlessly and waste copious amounts of time. This is sometimes even true on the weekends of otherwise normal work weeks. I hope you enjoy the last few days of your break.
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Gordon
Thanks, Gordon. Yeah, I've inherited this need to stay busy and always be moving. Definitely want to work on that because I sure miss the opportunities to rest when they're gone!
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