Is there anyone else who simply doesn't feel that this 'break' has been restful?

[LittleFir]

I finished work on Friday 18th and am going back on the 4th Jan.

It took until Weds 23rd for my eyelids to stop twitching. It took until the 26th for my bad dreams and restless sleep to stop.

And now this week I'm so concerned about potential lockdown, increased tiers, what will happen to schools, and the effect of that on our family and my job that I feel really stressed out.

Anyone else?

Yeah it's been dull. For once in my life I had time to do stuff! But it all got cancelled and we did a lot of nothing. And walks. And now DS won't be going back to school next week. (Shoots self in head emoji)

It hasn't for me as I have carried on working. I can't complain as the reason is our business has gone from strength to strength this year and what I thought would calm down by mid December hasn't! Could do with a day without packing orders or doing admin though. I am a bit worried about 2021. I have one child sitting GCSEs, one choosing options plus a part time job and a business that is growing faster than I can cope with. I'm worried it will be stressful and that's without all the covid stuff which is going to make it harder.

As others have said, it's not 'the break' it is the 9 months leading up to it that have been so stressful for many people.
It is often the way that adrenalin keeps you going, and it is only when you stop, that everything hits you.
As a teacher, I used to be ill in the first week of the Summer holiday for years and years, as you just sort of keep going, and when you stop, your body just caves in. This has been the same for lots of people trying to cope with everything the pandemic has thrown at us, and then, when you stop, your body relaxes and you start feeling all the pressures and exhaustion you've been holding at arm's length. I suppose sort of like delayed shock where you 'deal with the situation' when there is an accident or trauma and it is only afterwards you start thinking of what might have been. Or bereavement, when you 'get on with organising things' after the death and then just collapse in a sobbing ball of distress several months later, when the grief really hits you.
to everyone struggling over this Christmas time.

Definitely not rested. I got the dreaded call to isolate on the 18th, so found the following 9 days very difficult. I tried to plan for next term, but couldn’t focus at all. It’s clear that I wasn’t focussed as the plans make no sense at all.

I’ve gone back to planning today and have had to alter things in line with new requirements for classes in our school protocol.

Also stressed about the exams DS needs to sit in 2 weeks (on the first day back for yr11). And worried about parents, risk of infection....

Unless you're a teacher, then you'll have an extended holiday

We never get a proper rest on "holiday" anyway, since we have two demanding young children, and with nursery closed our 3 year old is absolutely exhausting. Plus, lockdown (in all but name, we're Tier 4) and no possibility of days out, socialising, play dates, family helping with the kids... it's all a depressing slog. Christmas Day was quite nice the 4 of us but neither of us got to sit down really apart from to eat and for me to breastfeed the baby. Nothing to look forward to now except hopefully being able to send DS to nursery again (unless/until they have to send children home to self-isolate because of covid cases). There is light at the end of the tunnel with the vaccine being rolled out and days getting gradually longer, but I think relaxed restrictions and spring weather are a way off yet.

Perhaps I will start researching possible spring/summer holidays - somewhere with a good crèche

Same. And DH has been ill since 24th (not covid but serious) and was sent home from hospital on Christmas day when they would usually keep him in. He's on strong meds and has basically slept since. I've done all the taking care of DH, housework, parenting, dog walking etc and am broken. I work in PR and this is basically my only break. I'm dreading going back to work, homeschooling, and looking after DH and the house. I could cry.

Yep, I finished on the 18th Dec. Contracted a bug that day, been ill with pharyngitis since then, lost my voice, horrible cough. Now on antibiotics and on the mend just in time to go back to work on Monday! This is the first break I've had all year

I worked it so no it’s not been restful

It wasn't too bad but as a TA who works with only vulnerable children I am increasingly nervous about what I am going into on Monday.

@LitteFir ah no, have you got anything relaxing planned for tonight?

I thought it was just me feeling this way! Waiting to feel relaxed but it's been over a week & im back to work soon.

I saved my holiday as I like the lazy week in between Christmas and New Year however I was so stressed before finishing work and then with Christmas prep/Day etc I couldn’t wind down.
I have only just been able to sleep about 6 hours don’t know what’s going on and I’m back to work Monday. I seem to have been on a state of high anxiety and can’t get off it.
I appreciate the slow mornings though and know I’m lucky to have that break some don’t.

Yes talking about this with DW today. My insomnia is the worst it's ever been. I've achieved a lot of things this holiday including lots of rest time but I'm absolutely shattered. I think the thought of Christmas was getting me through November and December and when it finally came it was nowhere near enough.

me!!! Feel like I am running on fumes!

Same “break” here ruined by stress over Xmas plans, isolation, then sickness then lockdown then news of schools closing.

And I spent as much time as possible in bed and it didn’t help.

Yep. I was SO ready for this. I worked through lockdown and pretty much through the 6 week holiday (unpaid as I'm pastoral) catching up. My week's half term I was working on bits and pieces at home and in school one day.

This is the first time I've been off properly since...I don't know. Is it february the last holiday that wasn't affected by Covid?

I've not been relaxed at all. Still checking emails. Still panicking. Stressed with my own kids. Worrying all the time. Not really sleeping but unable to stay up past 10pm because I'm so tired. I can't believe we are back on Monday. My knot of anxiety is bigger than ever.

Yup. "Finished" on 18th but have been forced to work from home since March, so didnt feel any different.Back to "work" ie the kitchen table on the 5th. There is no dineation between work and home anymore.

I had one day off , Xmas day, ok my days off too, three days now, no mans land week..........between Xmas and new year.
Glad when it’s Monday, I’d rather have my hol when it suits me

Worked from home since March, had two weeks off but been bored shitless with walks and tv. Drinking way too much which needs to stop in NY.

DH also home and we’ve been irritating each other, we usually enjoy cinema, meals out, day trips.

And I feel horrible moaning about this as a lot of people gave it so much worse

I'm exhausted but I've worked over alot of Christmas and worked through the first lockdown. I'm missing people terribly and my anxiety is off the charts. But although it's cold and dark at least its quiet without everyone playing loud music and pissing around as if it was a long bank holiday. I so hated the neighbourhood of the last lockdown.

Same. I'm already panicking about work. I 'go back' (wfh) on Monday

Absolutely. It’s been one worry after another. DH got isolation notice from app on 28th- thankfully is negative but the worry of seeing my parents on Christmas Day was just too much. I feel I’m at the end of how much worry and stress I can cope with now...

I was glad to get back to work this week. Its overwhelmingly busy and very stressful but I was glad to get out of the house and get a break from all the rich food & inertia. Can't wait till I get a proper break in spring, I think it will help when we've got some daylight back.