If you had an extra hour…

[rainbowsandcloudyskies]

I’m completely fed up of work (teacher). I have given so much unpaid time for many years. I go in at the crack of dawn, telling myself that if I do, the day will be easier. It is never easy. There are so many things beyond my control that means I am stretched, undervalued and can’t make the difference I hoped. So I’ve decided to go in an hour later every day. But I need to use that hour for something lovely, well-being or selfish related. What would you use an extra hour for?

Sleep!! I’m in the same boat as you. Sometimes I just sit in my car 🤷‍♀️

Restart or try a new hobby.

Gym

Probably sleep, or reading in bed, a long bath or some sort of fancy/cooked breakfast - whatever feels like a treat for you, or something you'd like to do in the mornings but dont currently have time to do

An extra hour in bed no question. Even if you can't sleep, just read or lie there!

Thanks everyone 😊.
Stupidly, if I’m in bed, I just worry about my day. I get the sitting in the car thing…

I have this. I get up at 5 am and use the hour before everyone else gets up to read and listen to podcasts and I make myself a nice breakfast that I eat On My Own with no-one else wanting anything from me.

Otherwise I would try and do an early morning lane swim at the pool.

I would prioritise reading a book as it can be pure escapism. I’m in the same boat as you. Pre covid at the same school in the same year group, I could get in at 7:50, leave at 5:30 and have everything ready for the day, be on top of marking, emails etc but since covid I’ve been getting in at 7 and working until 6 in school and still don’t feel ready for the day ahead. This is partly due to a massive increase in paperwork, data, book scrutinies and learning walks across the school since joining an academy chain as well as the loss of TA support.

No matter how many hours you put in, it is never enough so I think you’re right to do something for your own well-being with that extra hour. As cliched as it sounds, you can’t fill from an empty cup.

Yoga! I've been starting my day with yoga with adriene since January when she did her 30 day programme "Center"
Most of them are doaable in 20 mins so with an hour you could do the day's session, then have a leisurely shower and breakfast.

Great way to start the day (as a fellow teacher I find it helps with the stress but it's also a good workout).

Thank you.
These are lovely replies and right up my street. I enjoy yoga and reading. I did think of couch 2 5k but that is more torture than pleasure (though being fitter would be good!)

Yoga, or a cuppa and a good book

Omg same. I wish I could sleep but keep thinking about work so rather just sit in the car for a bit or if I get in early sit somewhere and have coffee.

I’m shifting my natural waking time to 5:30. Easier this time of year I agree. Want to use that time to walk to work, treat myself to a good coffee and read for my degree and arrive in work early. My evening is shorter but I’m happy to spend that time doing chores and heading to bed for 9pm, rather trying to read when I am last minded to. It’s lovely so far.

My choices would be yoga or go for a swim.

I love the hour before everyone else gets up. Nice coffee and chill with podcast or book. Or sometimes coffee and complete silence, bliss!

I’m definitely a morning person but I need to ring fence that hour so that it does not become housework or the relentless shit that is now my job.

Thanks everyone! We are on the same wavelength. 😊

Is there anywhere lovely you can walk near work? I used to car share with my DH and rather than going in early I would do a 30 min circuit that took in a canal walk and fields.