Anyone else get depressed at the start or the holidays or is it just me

[helloisitmeyourelookingfor]

Every year we get the reminder about the pupils -not everyone enjoys the holidays so be mindful

But no one seems to be mindful that the staff might not particularly welcome the holidays either

I routinely spend the first few days of the longer holidays in tears as I look around the house and have zero clue what to do with myself

My teacher friends are enjoying spending time with their families, my non teaching friends are working and juggling childcare

My teenage children have summer jobs and I have no OH

I have no motivation for doing jobs around the house even though a couple of rooms could really do with a coat of paint

I just have no motivation for anything really

Help!

I used to feel like that when I was a TA. I ended up making work for myself just to pass the time and feel useful. I’m now a teacher and trying to juggle childcare with planning for the year ahead so I’m still getting my school fix. Are there any CPD bits you could get ahead on or planning or working on subject knowledge? I’m also spending a lot of time sitting past papers and considering the best way to teach to ensure the pupils give model answers like mine (and also getting my head around the inevitable ’better’ ways of doing things). I find that when I feel that there’s school work to do, I’m better at fitting in the housework too.

Not sure if this is depression but at the start of the summer holiday I dread the thought of it soon being over.

I am beginning to dread the long slog till Christmas. I am very grateful I have a job but reality is reality!

Take a job in one of the holiday clubs? Stack shelves for 6 weeks - volunteer for something?

I'm with you!
It generally wears off as I relax into the holiday however so don't particularly agree with the "just work more" advice.
Sometimes you do actually need to rest and it just takes you a while to mentally adjust to that.
I think constantly running on adrenaline and cortisol can be addictive so if you're quite stressed in school that could be a factor.
Also, in my case loneliness plays a part so pushing myself to catch up with people and make plans can really help.

Also I think the "woohoo it's holiday time" messages aren't shared by as many people as you'd think it's just that people feel obliged to present that image of their families on social media.

Although I personally don't feel this way- my little boy is only 8 so still lots to do with him, I don't think it's as uncommon as people may think.

I have a young colleague who is single and lives in a flat shared with a friend. Said friend is in emergency services so obviously still working in the summer. Last year was his first summer holiday and he did find it quite difficult.

He seems to think it was partly lack of structure/routine and not having colleagues to see every day/planning to occupy himself. Flat is fairly new so no DIY to do.

This year, he has taken a summer job in a bar/restaurant. Might sound bonkers but it will give him structure.

I'm terrible for procrastinating - I have planning for September to do, some reading (I am moving schools) plus house stuff that needs doing. So, I make myself a list each day to include doing things with DS plus other stuff. I find it helps to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

I always get depressed in the holidays, especially the first few days and the last week or so. In the first few days I'm struggling to decompress and generally feel physically dreadful as well. Towards the end of the holiday I'm starting to go stir crazy with the lack of routine and loneliness. The phrase 'the devil makes work for idle minds is definitely true of me.

I've found this thread good to read as I've only ever met one other teacher who agreed with me that she found the holidays hard before, everyone else thinks we're insane! We both have OCD and the routine and busyness of term time definitely helps us with that too.

I caved and went into work yesterday

Today I feel absolutely dreadful so I'm hoping it's not covid and I have given myself permission for a no guilt duvet day

School making it hard to forget them! Checking classes and corridors will be tidy for certain cleaning dates emails, etc.
Think need to mute emails!
I work in a school and feel flat at the moment. This is not helped by a lack of enthusiasm around work and my future at the moment.

I feel I need to compartmentalise better.
Work feels somewhat toxic and is not good for my confidence. I find it hard to break from that atmosphere to just being on holiday and breathing and trying to relax...
Hoping everyone else managing to decompress, etc!

@DinkyDaisy It is an intense job so understandable that it is hard to switch off. I'm reading trashy novels to distract myself from the looming 1st September. I've decided to go with the flow in September - keep my opinions to myself and maintain the status quo. Quiet life or at least a one year experiment!

Sounds like a plan!
My role is intense (not teacher) but made more so by me being bothered by adults around me!
I shall try your experiment in September Tortilla. Also, going to drop a ball that causes me stress as well...( linked) if I can. Not paid enough to be feeling like I do!
I too am reading trashy novels!

I don't think the answer is to do more school work. Teaching is such an all consuming job - you need to take a step back from it. I have been out of the job for two years now, but I still feel your pain. That minute the bell rang on the last lesson of July brought on such a release of emotions.

For me, the best way to climb down from the intensity of the stress and work load was simply to get outdoors. Walking along a coastal path or through some woods or doing some light gardening was vital to my recovery.

@DinkyDaisy yes - totally agree, adults bother me. The flakes, the fakes, the yes men and women (who bite off more than they can chew and quietly and skilfully accomplished very little while talking a great talk 😲), the unsupportive, the critics, the lack of organisation, the tardy for meetings, the overpromoted who are fixated on their new title rather than their new duties ... my list of annoyances is endless. @itrytomakemyway I think I will go for a long walk today good idea.

I wonder if you have the need for a target or goal? I confess I am so conditioned by a lifetime in work of targets, timetables and bells that even know I have a nod to them.

Do you think you would find it helpful to do something like the walk 1000 miles challenge? I did that in my first year out of school - putting my data into the system at the end of the day and tracking myself on the virtual map accross the UK. Or, something else that is walking with a tagert in mine - virtual Pokemon or Geocaching maybe? Or maybe join a walking group or ramblers. On of the things I found a challenge once I left school was that I had no friends. My whole life was consumed by teaching. I am not a natural 'joiner inner' but I have pushed myself to get more involved in voluntary work and groups. It has taken time, but I do feel more comfortable now.

I think teaching can lead to a very lonely life as you get older. It is odd to go from being constantly in a room with 30 other peole, to being on your own.

I feel the same and I get very upset with my self because if I feel like this it's because I work so hard during term time that I have no friends or hobbies. The best thing you can do is travel on your own, I went with my partner to Bali for 2 weeks, he came back to the UK and I went to my own to Thailand and Singapore.

Other thing you can do is to travel or make plans with your teacher friends.

Why not joing a course?

Sorry, all quite expensive ideas.

I'm really struggling as always. Not sleeping and very depressed. Already getting stressed that I'll not have recharged by September, while also counting down the days until I can be back in the classroom (the only thing that's shuts off my OCD internal monologue). Making plans to travel more next year. Bleurgh.

Sorry to hear you're struggling @ValancyRedfern 😥

Apologies if you have done so, but, have you thought about seeing your GP regarding

Sorry posted to soon!

Regarding feeling depressed and unable to sleep?

I also feel really down when I break up from school, it is really frustrating. I look forward to breaking up then I find it difficult to get myself motivated when I'm at home. I have to force mysekf to do things, which isn't like me normally. I don't really understand it at all. It's like I go into a lost. and empty mode. So I sympathise with anyone else that feels like this.

Try planning the Christmas break from now.
Make all the phone calls/ send all the emails that you need to eg. book any trades people that you need to carry out any repairs, book your nail/hair/spa appointment, book an Eventbrite event(s) there are free events, plan a day out to see the Christmas lights/ museum/ book shop all free, plan the shopping list...

Use this week to plan the next holiday. Buy a 2023 calendar 9pound store) and start to make a list of social events so that you always have something to look forward to.

That's great advice, thank you!