Winter break always starts out the same for me. I spend the last few weeks of fall term craving a break, basically watering at the mouth for a minute to myself. The only thing that gets me through finals week is imagining this fantasy world with no homework or due dates.
The day of my last final exam, I remind myself how happy I am that I’ll finally get to sleep in the next morning. But, lo and behold, I wake up at the classic 7 a.m. because my body clearly hasn’t figured out that the term’s over.
Despite my inability to sleep in, I’m still determined to have a relaxing day. I tell myself that I’m going to lay in bed and watch movies all day long.
I stay in bed in my jammies and find one of those movies I’d been wanting to see for a long time, but never had the time to actually sit down and watch. Mid-movie, I can already feel myself getting antsy. I can’t help but think there are so many other things I should be doing. But there’s not.
I hold myself still for the remainder of the movie. And then I experience a moment of panic. I realize that I now have what I’d been wanting for so long: no schedule and nothing to do. Suddenly, relaxation becomes a daunting task.
How am I supposed to rapidly move from one extreme to another? From having way too much to do, to having way too much free time on my hands.
In school, we are repeatedly pressured to work harder, to do more. And I have a hard time shutting that voice off for just a month.
Being immersed in the environment of full-time college has me so wired in this way that settling down for some rest and relaxation is nearly impossible.
The idea that we should work ourselves to the bone for ten weeks and then suddenly “relax” for a few is a bit absurd and just plain confusing. By the time you begin to adjust to a life without school, it’s time to go back to school again.
More importantly, it’s difficult to find any kind of balance with this schedule. We bounce between these two extremes without questioning it, as if it’s a natural part of life.
In addition, when school has you in the mindset of constantly improving and always working, it’s difficult to feel fulfilled at all while just “relaxing.” In fact, the beginning of winter break often has me feeling down on myself. I feel useless because I’m not doing a million things at a time like I was the week before.
Challenging yourself to do better, to do more, is great. But often times, this mindset makes it hard to enjoy some well-deserved downtime.
So, for all of the hyper-productive individuals like me, how do we beat the winter break anxieties?
We make plans.
I’ve learned that there are endless ways of relaxing, many of which don’t include lying in bed, watching Netflix all day. Make plans for things that get you excited, make you happy and allow you to experience things you never get during school.
More than anything, you have to find how YOU relax.
It often means trying something new or picking up a hobby you haven’t done since you were younger. Explore a small, forgotten town near your home. Spend some time in that quirky museum you always pass by. Or remind yourself of how you love to draw, sing or read but never had the time during school.
Fill your days with things you enjoy, but don’t be afraid to lie around and take naps when you want to.
Transitioning out of school mode is tough, but remember that there is no one-way to do it. Relax in the way that makes you feel comfortable and rejuvenated.