Planning to take a real break

I’m about to go on annual leave over the summer break and usually, this period sees me making lists of All The Things I’m going to finish over the holidays. The thinking is that I’ll start the new academic year afresh, and feeling invigorated because I’ve finally (FINALLY) cleared the ‘to do’ list.

What it actually means is that I start the new academic year having not had a break at all, and my ‘to do’ list is still incomplete (because it will never be complete).

A ‘do not do’ list

So this year I’m going to do something different. I’m creating a list of the things I’m NOT going to do over the summer holidays.

• It goes without saying that I’m NOT going to work on any articles, research proposals, curriculum outlines, assessment tasks, or any other work-related activity. However, that’s not to say that I won’t be blogging, writing, noticing things to share, and so on. But there’s no obligation to do these things.
• I’m NOT going to commit to finishing anything. Not a book I’m reading. Not the garage that needs cleaning. Not the garden. Of course, I’ll make progress on all these things, but I won’t be under pressure to finish any of them.
• I’m NOT going to take up a new hobby. If I wake up one day and decide to do a few sketches, attend a Brazilian jiu jitsu class, or buy this Perserverence Lego set, I can live with that.
• I’m NOT going to commit to doing any deep thinking, reflection, or any other mindful activity. If I happen to drift into this frame of mind, while lying on the couch, dozing, and deliberately doing nothing, that’s OK.

The ‘things I’m NOT going to do’ list is a reminder that I can do anything I want, with no pressure or obligation to finish anything on the list. You can’t finish what’s on the list, as it’s just a list of things you’re not going to do. Success will be getting to the end of the summer break without finishing anything.

If the idea of NOT doing a lot feels uncomfortable, you could work your way up to this by aiming to do fewer things, with more intention.

Read: Design your academic workflow to do less.

Downtime goals

If you’re not on annual leave, and therefore can’t commit to doing nothing, you may simply be looking forward to some downtime. During this period, work is less frenetic and you have fewer deadlines, so you may want to follow this advice from Jen McClearan:

• Be realistic in the goals you set.
• Plan your writing schedule, with objectives, timeframes, and so on.
• Build in time for rest and rejuvenation.

Taking a realistic approach to setting goals means that you can avoid finding yourself in ‘the week of broken dreams‘. This is the last week of the break when you realise it’s impossible to complete your extravagant ‘to do’ list. Try setting EASY goals if you want to get some things done without the guilt of not getting it all done.

So, if you have time off, take the time to be off. If you don’t have leave but can afford some downtime, don’t try to catch up on everything. Set a few small goals that are realistic and EASY.