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

Why are you exasperated with me?

Actually it doesn’t matter.

FWIW I do really like my job. I like helping people and it gives me a sense of productivity. With no family or friends I don’t have that anywhere else.

@Seasawride OP said 3 DAYS away in August.

Citylivingwithdogs I agree.

Also, presumably the OP puts her all into teaching. It's a bit much to then have to essentially create a 'job' for herself with volunteering or charity work all holidays just to have companionship. It's ok to be fed up about that.

cardi why don’t you leave the thread then. You obviously don’t have any understanding of the OPs situation and you seem to be enjoying poking her. Do you enjoy being so nasty?

I get it as I’m in the same boat, no children or partner. You need to plan and stay active to not get down though which I know can be hard. I have lists of stuff I enjoy, places to go etc. I meet up with friends and do my hobbies, but it can get lonely. I am slowly getting used to enjoying my own company.

Do you know any teachers from your school in the same position? Could you arrange to meet up or even arrange a cheap few days camping away?

It could just be that you love teaching and miss the buzz of school. When things have been frantic sometimes it’s really hard to switch off. One of the things you could do is to pick up some teaching at one of the language schools that run over the summer. I know my city is full of foreign students doing classes during holidays, or you could do some research to help you enhance your own teaching (so work really, but fun interesting work).

Whatever your teaching areas are, why not visit places associated with your curriculum and take photos and video, or spend time researching and inviting some really amazing guest speakers? People are more likely to say yes than you think - local unis are a good place to start. Academics are often pleased to share knowledge and often bring interesting artefacts, examples or activities. There are also local businesses, charities etc.

You could take an online course in a topic of interest or for CPD - Lynda is a good place to start, but there are lots of others.

I empathise OP and I think the problem is that you will be lonely for the 6 weeks without the contact of colleagues and children. Have you thought about volunteering for summer holiday camps, programmes? Try and get out every day either to the library or local park, swimming pool, national trust place or even shopping centre. Even if you go alone being surrounded by other people may help you feel less lonely. Are there no clubs locally you could join like book clubs, take up walking with a walking group or amateur dramatics? It must be a bit like Christmas where you envisage everyone else being happy fulfilled and surrounded by lots of family and friends. For a lot of people though they are lonely even when surrounded by family so don't imagine everyone else has perfect lives. Making some friends would definitely help you so even trying to engage with neighbours may help you. Do you not have any family like parents or siblings?

soy

So pro rata teachers are paid for holidays.

Try being self employed. No benefits! Look at the difference between sickness levels private v public sector.

I would have empathy but sadly it’s used up on my dh and I not having a proper holiday for 2 years as he’s building a business. Yes our choice but so Is teaching.

Would dream of 6 uninterrupted paid safety net holiday.

There’s plenty out there to do op maybe google

I sympathise OP. I work in education. I look forward to the holidays but at the same time, my mental health always takes a dip. The truth is, I thrive on pressure and on being busy. It’s what makes me happy. I’ve spent this weekend anxious and on edge with the feeling I should be doing something even though there is nothing I need to do at the moment!

It’s like my brain needs a problem to work on. During term time, I can channel it into the tasks I have to complete and it’s fine. During the long holidays I start to obsess over little things and my anxiety goes through the roof.

I think you’re getting a hard time here.

As a teacher l find it takes adjustment. I don't know how people manage with a weeks holiday as it takes me a week to adjust. And then l get so chilled l am in tears at the thought of going back. We get 8 weeks in lreland and l do no work until the last week. I have been teaching over 30 years and l still need to adjust.
I am just finished a week of youth volunteering so now ready to read and garden and catch up with family.
All volunteering nearly need police clearance so get planning that for next year. I am sympathic but little advice lm afraid. Mind yourself.

Ah OP I get it might have been Christmas feel for you too where you compare your lives to others, when you only know their happy sanitised version where everybody is happy, laughing and loving. Well most people's lives aren't like that for a start.

I agree you need to try to make this your mission to get more people in your life. It's hard but you have the time now, and aren't knackered out from work. What are your interests? Can you find groups that would involve them? Voluntary work is good for giving you purpose when you get up and getting some interaction into your day.

Be good to yourself. This isolation isn't good for your well-being so you need to tackle it even though getting out of your comfort zone will be horrible.

Get planning

I understand you entirely, OP.

I am someone who needs structure, and expanded structureless time is hard. And it's even harder when you don't have regular human interaction.

There have been times when I've had work trips with breaks set in the middle of them, and I'm in a place all by myself with nothing but free time for a couple weeks. At first it's great, but then you realize you're spending a lot of time chatting to supermarket check-out staff because it's the first person you've spoken to all day. That's tough, and it's very lonely.

My advice, like so many others, is to see whether there's some sort of regular volunteer organization near you. You needn't go every day--even a couple times a week gives your brain something to focus on and look forward to. Personally, I'd do something that has human interaction built in to it, rather than something that might leave you alone and independent. Whether it's volunteering in a room at the National Trust or serving food at a shelter or tutoring kids in the library (I know, coals to Newcastle, but you know you're good at it), something that gives you human interaction for a few hours a day, a couple days a week, will be a godsend.

People underestimate loneliness. And it's compounded enormously by having unstructured time on your hands. I wish you the best.

I used to decorate a room in the holidays.

Cutyliving I’m not being nasty. I’ve said I was harsh at the start. I’ve gibpven useful suggestions. I do know what it’s like as I’m a teacher who lives alone.
trees I’m exes
Erased because you have this gift of time and space and you do t seem to want to accept suggestions for what to do or to admit you have problems beyond being off for 6 weeks, which most people would envy. Teachers get criticise loads for their holidays (like by Jax) and then you are not just taking them for granted but bemoaning them.
But I’ll leave the thread since you don’t want to hear my suggestions.

Just to be clear sea, I’m not complaining about teaching and I’m not complaining about the time off as such.

It’s the fact that my life is so lonely and empty and the six weeks draws attention to that fact.

I’ve actually said some suggestions are great ideas cardi.

Your point would be less provocative if it was true.

Try being self employed. No benefits! Look at the difference between sickness levels private v public sector

Err... not sure why you’re aiming that at me. I’m not a teacher, have only ever been employed in the private sector and am not building a freelance business. I was just pointing out how a teachers pay works.

Anyway, this thread has nothing really to do with how much teachers are paid. The OP is clearly lonely, has a history of depression and the 6 week holiday is a red herring. Can you not have some empathy with someone who by their own admission has no friends, is lonely and is worried about a severe depressive episode?

Well there are some dickheads on here tonight. Anyone read Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine? Long periods of time alone can be daunting. And as for the faux confusion, obviously teachers don't work 37 hours a week for the full six weeks, especially given that they've been working 50+ hour weeks throughout the year.

Are you in a relationship OP? What's your social life like?

seasa I think op is perfectly aware that most people would and do enjoy their holidays and she has valid reasons for not feeling the same way. It's a different scenario as a) you are talking about an actual holiday rather than just not going to work for a period of time and b) ops main issue is the isolation she feels but you are talking about enjoying this with your husband. I'm assuming that in your version you would have he funds to do different things with your time whereas the op has said she does not.

So be bitter about your lack of holiday somewhere else

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

That's hilariously stupid. Glad you can afford to be so picky about who gets the privilege of teaching your child.

Teachers are only salaried for around 190 days. But then salary is spread out over 12 months. So yes they get paid during the holidays but not for the holidays.

I'm sorry to hear you feel down. I'm a teacher too and remember the feeling of not knowing what to do but in all honesty it was nothing to do with my job or time off it was about my personality, mindset and attitude. I'd gently suggest taking a look at yourself as much as you can and then, if you feel you need it, reaching out for professional help again.

There are lots of useful suggestions about projects and activities to fill your days. Working is also good and I did a lot of casual babysitting and nannying in the holidays back in the day - the money was handy.

I do think though that it isn't the lack of things to do which comes across in your post. I hope you have a productive holiday

I might sound a bit nuts now tree, but I could do with some company when I go on holiday?

What do you think?

Thank you. I have no partner.

I put on a really good front at work and am incredibly caring to the children. I had such a bad time at school, was bullied, and I wanted to help others the way some of my teachers helped me.

Of the posters feeling goaded by the OPs admission, are there any who fancy retraining as teachers I wonder?