Break time

So here’s the thing.

Teachers are often seen as the people with endless holidays. And those of us who aren’t teachers have probably never quite understood why teachers cross off days on the calendar, counting from one half-term to the next.

But when the last day finally arrives - be it half-term or end of term - there’s a buzz in the staffroom; small talk about holiday plans and that shared hope for a bit of rest or escape. And off we go, hoping for a wonderful time. 

Some of us come back truly rested - bringing sun-filled stories of Mallorca, retreats in India, campervanning in Cornwall, family time in Italy, or long dog walks through the muddy but beautiful fields at a glamping site.

Others return having technically had a break, but feeling like we missed out. Maybe we stayed at home. Maybe the time blurred. Maybe we spent the whole time thinking we should  be doing something else.

And then there are those of us who can never quite switch off. The break becomes another to-do list. We fill it with books we’ve been meaning to read, courses we want to start, projects we’ve been putting off, podcasts we think we should listen to… catching up on everything we didn't have time for during term. 

And somehow, the result is a familiar one: a break that doesn’t feel like a break. Because weren’t we supposed to be hiking? Skiing? Having long lunches, catching up with friends, spending time with the kids - and, and, and... The never-ending story of sweet regrets.

That said - off I go. Hiking in Poland next week, with two books in my bag, five podcasts downloaded, and two audiobooks waiting in the library.