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Thursday, August 14, 2014

The Summer That Should Have Been

Today- with less than five days of summer to go- I looked at my To Do list from June.

The number of things not-crossed-off is STAGGERING.

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I had the whole summer, people. For the first time since I was 15, I wasn’t working a job all summer. TpT (and my husband’s job) have finally made it so that I could take a summer break, and I had such grand plans to get so much done!

If I didn’t do this stuff during the summer, when am I supposed to do it?

I’m looking around our apartment and thinking, “Summer was supposed to be my time to catch up and actually clean up this place!” annnd yet my dresser is still piled with clean clothes to be put away, my coffee table is covered in papers to file, and my bathroom counter is a disaster area. I really should have done that.

And the appointments. With my school’s hours and my commute, I leave the house around 8 and get home around 5. The summer is the perfect time to fit in every appointment with my doctor, eye doctor, dentist, accountant, etc.- and I got maybe half of them made and done. Definitely should have made that happen.

Did I mention I should have gotten my car fixed during the only extended time during the year when I don’t need to drive it every day?

Oops.

And don’t get me started on all the things I should have done for school.

Even worse? There are FUN things I didn’t do!

Pool day? Totally doable- part of our apartment rent pays for pool access and I can literally walk to it- but NOPE. I didn’t go to the pool ONE time this summer.

Amusement park? There’s a nice one less than half an hour from me, and I didn’t spend even one day riding roller coasters and eating blue ice cream.

Zoo? I love living in a city with a great zoo. I thought I might get a membership and go a few times… but I never even made it there once.

There were so many things I should have done! Recipes to be tested. Crafts to try. Blog posts to write. Products to make. Places to visit. Letters to write. Workouts to do.

Seriously! June, July, and half of August, and what do I have to show for it?

 

I am relaxed.

I am refreshed.

I am  ready and excited to go back to work!

I can look at all those things I should have done this summer, or I can look at what I did do. I was a little productive- but I also slept in. I read books. I went on vacation. I hiked. I took naps. I spent time with friends. I took photos. I binge-watched a TV series. I wasted hours on Pinterest.  I spent full days in pajamas. I ate ice cream like it was my job.

Most importantly, I spent time with those I care about. I hung out with my husband (who works second shift, so I don’t see him much on weekdays during the school year). I spent hours every day with our newly adopted dog (who is the CUTEST thing and loved every second). I visited family , hosted friends, and met new friends, too.

Summer

Simply put? I made summer break a BREAK- and honestly, I don’t regret it much.

Teachers give, give, give through the school year. Sure, the average person doesn’t get it- but beyond the hours I spend at school (too many), I come home with a bag full of work, a mind that can’t stop brainstorming, and a heart still stuck on worrying about my kids. Never mind the stress of new standards, new teacher evaluation systems, drama with co-workers, and all of the other complications we face. I love what I do- but (probably like most teachers) loving it so much and caring so much means that  I run myself ragged sometimes. It’s hard to not pour your entire soul into teaching, and it’s as exhausting as it is fulfilling.

And by the summer, sure, it feels like I should have used that time to catch up- but what I really needed was a break, and I am so glad (for once) I took it.

So despite that To Do list nagging me about the summer that “should have” been, I can honestly say that I will be a BETTER teacher to my kids this year because I gave myself a true break this summer.

And I’ll be happier, too.

11 comments:

  1. Good for you!!!! I totally did the same this summer....nothing....except what I wanted....and it was by far...the.best.ever!

    Have a great start!

    Nicki
    Mrs. Thigpen's Kindergarten

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  2. Good for you! Glad I'm not the only one who has a to-do summer list with not many done! Good luck this school year!!

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  3. Oh my, I LOVE this post! Definitely true for me too. But it was soooooo nice, wasn't it???

    Natalie
    Teachery Tidbits

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  4. Awesome! I tend to feel discouraged when I think about all the things I didn't get done on my list, and this was very encouraging. Thanks for sharing! :)

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    1. It's so easy to get down on ourselves when we can't do it all- but I'm trying really hard to remember how good it felt to let the pressure off a little and let myself relax! Hopefully I can do that once in awhile during the school year, too... one can hope, right? :)

      So excited to see you reading here! You are always so sweet in the TpT forums.

      Jenny

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  5. I LOVE this post, Jenny.. it definitely reflects on how I should give myself some more ME time, and not have to get everything done (because really, who does actually get everything done anyways?) :) xo Love ya girl. So happy for you!

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  6. Great post Jenny! Glad you got some you time :)

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  7. Way to go!! Hope you have an incredible year. I'm spending my last days in Seattle, right up until the day before it's time to go back to work. And I still can't get into my room. You'd think I'd be a little more panicked, but I'm not. It'll all be there for me when I can get in, and I'll get it all (or mostly all) done like usual.

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  8. Great post. What a great summer it has been :)
    em

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  9. So well said! I'm right there with you, had hoped to have more done, but not regretting the things I did at all.

    Crystal
    Teaching Little Miracles

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  10. I'm so glad I'm not the only one that didn't accomplish all the grand plans on my to-do list! Next summer, I'm going to plan nothing and just feel super accomplished when I get anything done (as if a teacher could not plan for two months).

    Stephanie
    Mrs. Cain's Creations

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