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"Sunday Scaries", as I understand it, is a term that was coined by working professionals, in reference to the feeling of anxiety that Sunday brings. It's when you're feeling pulled in two directions, torn between enjoying the last bit of weekend and also starting to think about all you have to do beginning on Monday. As an educator, I have always found myself experiencing this same phenomenon, but with an intensity that is ten fold, right around this time of the summer. When the break is almost over and back to work is on the horizon, I call it...🎶dun dun DUN [cue scary music]🎵: "Summer Scaries". I genuinely hope this is just a "me" thing; however, if it's also a "you" thing, please keep reading and process through those feelings with me.
On one hand, I'm anxious to start on all of the work that lies ahead and on the other hand, I want to bury my head in the sand because summer can't already be over and I'm not "supposed to" be working in the summer, right?! This has been quite my conundrum over the years as I love everything about summer break and the season, but I also have always loved my job and feel the need to be prepared going into a new year. This is what got me thinking- why do I feel like I have to choose between this or that? Why do I end up feeling split like two pins at the end of the lane? Why does it have to be all or nothing, one way or no way? Then, I thought, maybe I can rewrite the rules and maybe it doesn't have to be any certain way at all.
I've done some reflecting and here's my new take these "Summer Scaries"-
If you feel the need to do something, whatever that is, give yourself permission to do it. Give yourself permission to relax. Give yourself permission to go into school to set up your classroom. Give yourself permission to put some things together for back to school or give yourself permission to not touch any of it! Give yourself permission to prioritize whatever it is that brings you peace right now, at any given moment.
For some of you, peace will be soaking up every last ounce of summer break because you're mentally prepared to hit the ground running on your first work day back, knowing you'll be going nonstop til Day 1. For some of you, this will be starting/continuing to plan and organize because this is what helps to ease your mind- front loading now so you don't have to do it all later. And for some of you, it's finding your balance of staying in vacation mode but maybe doing a little here and there when inspiration strikes. Give yourself permission to do what feels necessary and don't feel guilty about it either way.
For me? I'm all about the balance. One day I'll be tossing and turning with so many ideas running through my mind for next year that I'm up at 2 am writing a blog post, or I'm spending my afternoon creating a PD or running to school to meet up with a teacher. The next day, I'm sleeping in til well past brunch, grabbing my book, and hitting the pool. There was a time when I may have felt guilty about even thinking about school over the summer (or not thinking about it) but now I've realized this was a counterproductive mindset. I wasn't actually relaxed because I was still thinking about all of it and feeling worse for not doing any of it! I've finally discovered that my peace is taking advantage of the flexibility of this time in the summer to do whatever I need to do to get myself into a good headspace before we start a new year. Sometimes it's work and sometimes it's not.
If you ever doubt yourself, remember that you are talented. You are capable. You are a professional. Whether it's now or later, you're going to get it all done one way or another so give yourself permission to do it *your* way. Kick those "Summer Scaries" to the curb! You've got this!
