You made it to summer! Congratulations! You cleaned your classroom, did some instrument repairs, finally checked off assessments and now you can relax! However, if you are anything like me, you left school with a two-page list of things to do before you go back, and that isn’t even counting chores or other side hustles you may have. SLOW DOWN. Yes, it is important to write all of that down- you want to keep record of it but don’t let it take up space in your brain. You need to take a break and have a music teacher summer.
Recharge for Your Music Teacher Summer
Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, your number one priority right now is to recharge! You finally have time to do that hobby, plant that garden or make that coffee date. Whatever it is, make sure you are ready for it. For myself, I slept pretty much the entire weekend. I wasn’t planning to, especially since it was Canada Day weekend, but my body needed it. I was able to give it what it needs in order to have a productive music teacher summer.
Clean Your Environment
There is a popular meme surfing that internet that is more truth than lies. “Summer is for teachers who have neglected house chores for 10 months of the year.” So true! It has been piling up and bothering you. Mental health studies show that a clean, clutter-free environment helps the body to re-cooperate more efficently as there is less stimulus surrounding it. This is constantly proven by the good and relaxing feeling you get as soon as everything is back in order. Most of these chores can be pretty mindless, like doing dishes. For larger projects, ie. furniture flipping, design a strategy that will benefit you. Be careful it doesn’t rule you through time constraints, but definitely get to the things you have been putting off!
Some Prep IS Allowed
Some school prep is allowed on your break. Sometimes the paranoia sets in making you believe if you don’t do it NOW, it will never get done. If that’s the case, do the thing! I have definitely already color-coded my time table for next year as I need as much time to adjust as possible. Maybe you are reorganizing, planning or just excited for next year. Create a boundary to help you balance your worklife and the rest that you need. For example, set a time to work for two hours a day. Wake up, go to the gym, come home, shower, do some chores and then do your two hours. After that, spend your evening doing what you do in summer. Or make a loose schedule, allowing yourself to think about school on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
There’s No Right Way
There is no right way to relax “properly”. But disengagement can really be beneficial for most aspects of life. The fatigue that may result without disengagement does way more harm than good from creating resentment and dread to disorganization and regret. However you choose to give yourself the break, be mindful and do it intentionally. Happy music teacher summer!