To think 6 weeks will be hard to fill

[trees4thewood]

I am a teacher, it’s good to have the time off but to be honest I’m dreading it a bit, I remember getting really badly depressed a few summers ago and I can see this one being similar.

what should I do

You are totally being unreasonable.

I am a teacher too. I don’t think it will be long enough!

Do you have children? Are you going away?

Could you do some voluntary work over summer?

No children
I’m going away for three days in August.
Possibly could do some voluntary work.

Make a bucket list of ideas, and try and do a couple each week.

Take up a 'challenge' that's 6 week able - eg run 10k, read all of Dickens, redecorate the upstairs?

Have a theme per week

Go on holiday twice - once right at start, once nearer end.

Start inviting friends to stuff - don't wait to be asked.

Do you have kids?

This might all sound a bit glib. Sending positive vibes

Can I second volunteering? I work in a charity shop and our regular volunteers often disappear in the summer due to holidays and children, so seasonal volunteers are a godsend! There's also summer camps/ lunch clubs who are always crying out for volunteers, teachers would be welcomed with open arms!

If I didn’t have dd. I would just travel.
That or try and get superfit.

My colleagues have a night out a week planned too.

I catch up with my friends that I have cancelled for so long, seeing a show with parents, 2 holidays and spending time with family.

Oh and read! I never have time to read.

You do realise how lucky you are? Going away 3 weeks in August!

Honestly quite angry by your post! Get your head up and look around! Volunteer with those less fortunate! My dh and I are SE and would love 6 weeks paid holiday!

I think it's probably an anticlimax after a very hectic term. No doubt the other teachers were all talking about their plans as well. Don't see it as a lot of empty days stretching ahead, try to plan individual outings to places of interest eg stately homes or museums or whatever your interests are.

Days. 3 days in August.

Get NT membership (you can pay monthly, so it's not expensive) and start a tour of all your local properties?

Like the idea of a challenge too, like running a certain distance.

Are you sure you are not just in the 'can't wind down' phase? There is a thread about that in the staffroom.

And teachers aren’t paid for the holidays

You can take my kids for few weeks. It's going to be a very long 6 weeks for us, too. We didn't even get through the half term break without them trying to kill each other.

I thought teachers were paid over a 12 month period, ie it's stretched out so they always have pay coming in? Either way, can you not just relax, rest, a cinema trip here, visit family etc?!

I can struggle to fill a week off sometimes, I don't think I could manage 6 weeks. I agree with volunteer work, or is there any neighbours that may be happy with a little help?

I thought teachers DID have to work in the summer holidays???? I'm confused now - teachers always seem to be adamant they DON'T get 6 weeks off.

There are LOADS of education companies looking for teacher consultants during the break and they'll pay you. I agree 6 weeks is a long time to fill with very few plans

I'd love a 6 week, paid break from work. Shall we swap lives?

This sort of thing really irritates me. If you don’t have enough in the way of personal resources to entertain yourself for 6 weeks, you shouldn’t be a teacher. I am a teacher so I know what it’s like. Anyone with half a brain and any sort of internal life can keep occupied.
I have 8 weeks. Still not enough. Never bored. I live alone as my DD has grown up and moved out. I live rurally so no city attractions to visit.

Head over to the Twinkl wellbeing facebook group. There are loads of people in the same situation. Lots of them arranging meet-ups. Where about are you?

Could you try and keep your days quite structured? Maybe go for a walk or swim everyday, join a gym, go to the library? Maybe start a project at home, decorating or building furniture. Listen to audio books.
Volunteering is an excellent idea.

I think routine and structure can be good for MH.

I think possibly leaving it until the start of the holidays to plan how you will fill it isn't the best strategy. But okay, that's where you are now. Make a list of things that need to be done (DIY/garden/personal admin), a list of things you enjoy doing that are /home-based, and a list of things you'd like to do which are more expensive/further afield. Then get your diary out and start filling it up from the lists.

I think you should take this as a sign that you need to reflect on your life. It seems like you're scared of what you'll think when you no longer have distractions. That sounds like a sad way to live. You need more.

Every teacher I know says they spend the majority of the 6 weeks working too, is that not true??
Anyway I’d love 6 weeks off child free. Id go swimming a lot, visit places that I don’t usually get chance to with children in tow, read loads of books, sort the garden out, visit friends...

cardibach so anyone that isn’t just like you, only has half a brain and shouldn’t teach. I think anyone with as little empathy as you shouldn’t teach.

3 days ok

And of course teachers are paid holidays