Do I need time pressure to get things done?

Last week was so rough. It was excruciating. I was still trying to teach and assess learning and update my gradebooks, despite everyone already being in “summer break” mode. The thing was, I had plenty of time to do all the things I needed to do, so I didn’t anticipate the week being terrible. And yet… I really struggled to get things done. Like so much. Every morning I got to work realizing I hadn’t done ANY of the tasks I should have completed the night before. I think part of it was feeling burnt out, and just being done with all of it. But I also found myself thinking, I have plenty of time, I’ll do it later, and then it was 11pm and I was exhausted, so I just went to bed.

I’m struggling at work this week as well. Monday to Thursday we’re just burning time during class, and I have my entire classroom to clean up and break down for the summer. I have plenty to do, and yet I’m just stumbling through each period, not really accomplishing anything. The final two weeks of June are not available for me to come to work and finish prepping for the summer (we’re camping one week and I’m taking my son’s friends to the KOA for another), so I need to get this stuff done over the next few days.

I’m actually kind of stressed out about the rest of June. I’m annoyed about the camping trip, but can’t bring myself to not go, which is (supposedly) an option. Right now I’ve requested that we only stay two nights instead of three, so I can be back by Friday and have two days to unpack from camping and repack for five days at the KOA. The KOA packing will be a lot, because I’m the only adult going and I need to bring all the food and other necessities. I think once we are there it will be okay. Supervising four or five 10yo boys for four nights will surely be a lot of work, but there will be plenty of down time, especially at the pool. I’m a lot more anxious about packing, and not forgetting anything, ahead of time.

And then we’re back from the KOA for one weekend before we fly to St. Louis on Monday morning.

It’s a lot. And I already identified that being over scheduled this year contributed to stress, low moods, and general feelings of unease. So I’m not looking forward to our super-charged start to summer.

Then again, at least the time crunch will allow me to get everything done. I appreciate that at least.

3 Comments

  1. You flat out are exhausted. Of course it is easy to zone out now, finally and not realize what is happening. Sign of burn out/fatigue.
    You will manage year end and all the camping…. and then THE FARM! That will recharge some of your depleted energy.
    Support and caring.

  2. I know that feeling of “just spinning your wheels” and not moving forward but I think it’s just a lot right now and you need to do it one step at a time. The only way through is through.

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