Day 240

Teaching and having summers “off” (not true, by the way) is not exactly what it seems. Unfortunately, the responsibilities of a teacher extend well beyond the beginning and end of the day bell. It is a twenty-four hour, seven day a week job from September to June. Family and home responsibilities sometimes take a backseat to the daily grind and needs of the classroom. So when summer comes, it often feels more like recovering than relaxing.

Living on the farm, I had intentions to work and play every day. We’d wake up and go out on some sort of adventure. After lunch, we’d do some farm work and occasionally head out for a treat after a job well done. Our evenings would consist of bike rides, hikes on a trail of our choice, and bonfires with tasty snacks and beverages. Though we enjoyed these things in spurts, life got in the way. Plans to enjoy special excursions with the kids didn't quite occur. Projects I had planned for the summer months have yet to even get started let alone completed. We were still busier than we would have preferred and ended up taking care of whatever issues that popped up, even if they weren’t on our projects list.

Oddly, now that school is arriving, I feel like time will slow down and I’ll get more done. 

It might seem like I am speaking out of both sides of my mouth when I say the school year is jam-packed while at the same time also saying I might actually get more done at home. In a way, I am. 

I think it is all psychological. Even though I am crazy busy with educational responsibilities all year long, the hectic teacher schedule forces focus. By that, I mean that any free time I may find is precious and tends to be used in a more time-sensitive, focused manner. In summer, I always feel like I will have plenty of time to get to the next step of a project. Eventually, that time runs out and that project is pushed aside.

As I get busier, my focus sharpens and I get more accomplished. 

At least, that’s the goal.