TL;DR:
- For a workaholic, finding yourself relaxing can be an alarming realization. Learn ways to get out of a summer slump.
- Get a change of scenery by leaving your house. Make a short list and tackle it.
- Put on some music and set a summer routine so you can feel productive.
If you read my last post, “A Workaholic’s Guide to a Relaxing Summer,” you already know that I’m a workaholic. Being a workaholic means that I have frequent burnouts during the school year, but it also means that having the summers off can be challenging at times.
I go through multiple slumps during the summer because of the monumental pressure to just relax while also appeasing my workaholic brain to be productive. Today was one of those days the Slump decided to pay me a visit.
I got up like I do every morning during the summer at 11 am. I roll out of bed, grab my bowl of Froot Loops, a chocolate muffin, a hot cup of Earl Grey black tea with sugar and milk, and turn on a TV show. This week it’s been The Originals on Netflix. After the first episode, I switch my attention to TikTok and continue sipping on my tea. It’s been a great morning so far! I’m practicing self-care and I am enjoying the warm breeze coming in from the window.
Then all of a sudden…
BAM!
It hits me like a semi-truck barreling down the highway without the use of its brakes. It’s the Slump…it whispers to my subconscious, “lazy.” It continues to nag about my to-do list until the thought paralysis takes over: spending hours on the couch coming up with a plan of action to conquer the list, but ultimately not doing any of it and still feeling awful about yourself.
This is the Slump’s favorite party trick. So, what did I do to defeat the infamous workaholic Slump?
Because we (workaholics) have the need to accomplish tasks and be productive, establishing routines is the best way to stay focused and will ultimately help you relax and recharge for the upcoming school year. Click To TweetHow to Get Out of a Slump: Change the Scenery
After many years facing the Slump, I have learned that working at home is not the best option for me. I need to work somewhere that is not my house. My two favorite spots are the park or the local coffee shop because they are tranquil spaces where I can also be productive. Due to the Cicada envision in Ohio, I chose the safe indoors away from their deafening screams.
While at the coffee shop, I picked two to three things from my to-do list that can be easily accomplished in a few hours.
- Set up Google Classroom for the upcoming school year
- Buy planner(s)
- Fill out said planner with important dates for the upcoming school year
How to Get Out of a Slump: Next, Turn On Some Music
Getting out of the house is the first and hardest step to vanquish the Slump. To really knock it out, blast some music from one of your favorite playlists! Music has always been a motivational tool that I use on a daily basis.
How to Get Out of a Slump: Lastly, Maintain a Routine
It’s the summer, so who needs a routine anyway? Workaholics do! Because we have the need to accomplish tasks and be productive, establishing routines is the best way to stay focused and will ultimately help you relax and recharge for the upcoming school year. To all my workaholic teachers out there, I hope that these tips will help you enjoy your summer a little bit more.
About Rebecca Huff
Rebecca Huff is a former journalist and 2nd year teacher. She currently teaches 9th and 11th grade English at Edgewood High School in Trenton, Ohio. She enjoys learning new teaching strategies and methods that can be implemented in her classroom to meet the needs of all her students. Rebecca has a passion for writing, teaching, and growing as an educator. She firmly believes that learning never stops and teaching the soft skills are equally as important as the content. She strives to prepare her students for any career path that they choose.
