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

People are talking MH p, but I don’t get that from the OP. She sounds like she got fed up rather than actually depressed. I’ve been clinically depressed. Don’t think that’s what she isn’t talking about.

local foodbank charities can always use volunteers to help cover holidays
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How refreshing . Hope you manage to fill it OP

Swap? We are almost half way through school hols here, 7 weeks
Can’t imagine having that time off and not knowing how to fill it, but understand that term time must be so full on so going from that to holidays must take a bit of adjustment in pace etc

Sure you’ll enjoy it, get a national trust membership or similar I have one and a historic Scotland keeps us busy 😊 along with safari park passes. Enjoy your hols it’ll fly in and School will be back before you know it.
I’m loving the lack of routine just now lazy summer days it’s great.

cityliving I have plenty of empathy thanks. I just think if someone genuinely can’t think of something to do with 6 weeks to themselves (and there’s will be school work, so it’s not the whole time anyway) isn’t s9meone I would have like doing teaching my child. She doesn’t have to be ‘just like me’, I never said that, she just has to have some sort of internal resources.

Teachers holidays aren’t paid. Their salary for the number of weeks they work is jusy stretched over the full 52 weeks for money management purposes, so they always have income coming in.

cardibach what part of ‘I got really badly depressed a few summers ago’ indicates that the OP’s depression wasn’t as bad as yours? Are you a psychologist as well as a teacher?

I don’t think YUBA. Teaching is a super hard job, and I think holidays present differently to people with different personalities and in different life circumstances. It’s a different situation but I am coming to the end of a couple of months’ break after doing something very very intense in the run up. The drop off in activity levels when all of a sudden I had zero obligations was very discombobulating, and not entirely comfortable. At the end of the day I like the external pressure of a system/institution (ie a job! ) to keep me moving through life - generally means I make the best of my leisure time too. I’m not that good at filling my time productively when left entirely to my own devices (also no kids here). That said, while I’ve had a few days when I’ve just drifted around, spent too long on the Internet and felt a bit miserable, overall I’ve had a good break. Lots of exercise, little bit of volunteering (should have done more), seen friends, been to a few exhibitions etc. Booking yourself stuff to do in the morning is a big help I think in getting the day going.

And now I’m really looking forward to getting back to work now.

Wishing you a great break. X

I don’t think you’re being unreasonable. If I didn’t have a child I’d struggle. Friends are all working, most activities are geared towards families and my severe lack of confidence would be a big barrier with volunteering so I sympathize with you OP.

Seriously?

If there is a habit you want to get in to, start it now! For example exercise. Take some time to yourself, and don't feel guilty about doing nothing, but also set yourself a goal. Redecoration? Dramatic clutter clear out? Learn a new language? You have 6 weeks off for a reason, to allow you to recover.

I always feel like the 6 weeks isn't long enough away on holiday at the moment and loving it and then will have lots to do when I get back.

I have heard of a few colleagues feeling as you do though so you are definitely not alone. One said he felt it because he struggled to switch off and wind down after the stress of term time.

I know you don't have kids but do you have a partner?

Can you plan something for each week? E.g. lunch in your favourite place, visit somewhere new, meet a friend/relative.

Can you afford to book some more days away? Doesn't have to be abroad - lots of lovely places in UK and if you self cater they can be fairly cheap.

Any house projects need doing?

Good books you want to read (I have a little pile of books I want to read this summer).

I sometimes find planning my day/week means I make the most of it and don't feel like it's just time to fill.

I hope you do enjoy the holidays and recharge before term starts again.

Wow, this isn't goady at all.

also a teacher

I'm depressed lying here thinking that I'm half way through my 6 weeks 🙈😫 I've still got a zillion things to do - pity I've spent the past few weeks lounging about the garden and puppy training.

Ignore the snarky replies op. When you’re used to a very stressful and busy job it’s going to be a bit of an adjustment to get used to being on your own schedule and having some free time (although I’m sure you’ve some work to do I don’t think any teacher says they work solidly morning til night all summer!) You could volunteer as people have said. I’m sure if there are any charitable holiday activities for kids locally they would be delighted to have someone experienced help out. Or if you wanted to make a bit of extra cash you could look at tutoring kids who will be doing the 11+?

Now I've got past my instinct to ask you to swap jobs with me so I can have a holiday...

I actually know what you mean - if you struggle with depression you need a bit of structure to avoid sinking into a pit of not getting dressed. Can I suggest making up a summer routine, like getting up and dressed by a certain time, going for a walk for a coffee/newspaper, a weekly trip to the library, etc? Otherwise you risk spending all day eating biscuits in your pyjamas and farting about on the internet, which is nice for a one off but won't make you feel very good about yourself if you do it for 6 weeks.

My dh and I are SE and would love 6 weeks paid holiday!

And of course teachers are paid holidays

Teachers are not paid holidays, why do you think that? They are paid for the weeks they work and that can be paid over 12 months so they don't some months without an income coming in. So they get paid in the holidays, but not for the holidays, if that makes sense?

DSis who is a teacher spends large chunks of the summer going through the paperwork relating to her new classes, especially those with SEN, and revamping/writing her lesson plans. She has to go in at results time and does a lot of work supporting pupils at that time, and then goes in before the beginning of term to get her new classroom ready. I realise you may not have the exam factor if you don't teach secondary, but don't you need to do all the other bits and pieces?

The bit where she sounds like she means she got fed up, Cityliving. Nobody gets really depressed, clinical depression, by being a bit bored. If there are other issues, she’d surely have said.

To be fair, we're all different and although I find the holidays amazing because I have DCs and shit loads of things I can be doing, I have a friend who finds them too long. She volunteers for about half of the holidays and it suits her fine.

Teachers are paid for 1265 hours a year. This is spread out over 12 months but we are definitely not paid for our holidays!

Yanbu!! Some people may not have partners or family or friends and may find they have 6 weeks with very little interaction. It can be lonely and daunting. Just having unstructured days can be challenging to someone prone to mental health problems. However, i do think you should have planned something a bit more substantial to avert a potential crisis. Can you plan some more things in for August?

My nephews in Ireland broke up end of June, back end of August.

Six weeks is a relatively short time. Rest, snooze, sunbathe, read. Recharge your batteries. You deserve it love.

I haven't helped at all have I? But I wish you well.

I’m sorry people have got angry.

The truth is the days feel a bit endless. Yes I’m paid. But it’s not so much I can afford to do exciting things alone for six weeks.

Cardio if the threads winding you up step away.