This week I'm taking some time off. When I finished my PhD, I promised myself that I wouldn't work over the summer and I've kept that promise every year since I finished.
Working 12 months a year during my PhD with few breaks was not sustainable and it was one of the things (among others) that led to me taking a 4 month leave of absence during the last year of my PhD. You can hear all about my break on the first episode of our podcast here.
Even though school is in the name, grad school is still work so today I have four tips for you to help you actually enjoy time off when you can take it. I think taking time off needs to be done strategically so that you aren't worrying about what you haven't done or feeling guilty you're not writing.
Tip 1: Put a vacation message on as a reminder to yourself!
The most exciting part of going on holiday is putting that vacation message on your email! Hopefully, you've already verbally told your advisor and anyone else that is needed as well as have written proof, but I always considered the vacation message as a reminder to myself that I was on vacation.
So if I wrote -- "I will not be monitoring my email during my absence" then I made sure that I actually did just that! This could look like taking work email off my phone, blocking my email app, changing my password to something difficult and hard to remember (but safely stored somewhere), anything to make sure I didn't log in just to check if anything was needed of me.
Tip 2: Plan one thing each day you look forward to.
Money is limited for most grad students. Most of my trips were to see family or friends and weren't lavish vacations. If my time off was a staycation, I tried to plan something small every day that I looked forward to and that got me out of my house.
One year, I took a four day weekend for Easter and painted my entire living room and kitchen (and had to use four coats of primer and two coats of paint and primer to colour fluorescent wall colours chosen by the previous residents).
Sometimes the task was to walk to the library to check out a stack of graphic novels. Sometimes it was to go on a hike with some friends. Sometimes it was to walk to another grocery store to buy a treat. Sometimes it was to take some snacks and the book I was reading and walk to the ocean to read on the beach.
Whatever it is, pick something small or big for you to look forward to each day so that you don't fall prey to working because that is what you are used to.
Tip 3: Keep a physical notebook for any ideas that come up about work
Keep a sheet of paper, a notebook, sticky notes, or something physical close by that you can write down any ideas that come to you.
I saw a physical object so that you don't find your way on the computer, and then opening up a document, and then before you know it, you've been "writing" for some time on a break.
If you are taking a break from other responsibilities and the break is to write, then that's fine. But if it is a total break from grad school, make sure you have a way to record any random thoughts or ideas you have, and then close that and move on to something else.
Tip 4: Talk to loved ones about your break
Some good old social accountability is always helpful. Let the people in your life know you are taking a break. Ask what they do on a break so you can get some ideas. Make plans with people during your time off.
This way, by telling others, you are also telling yourself that you are taking a break (see Tip 1).
I hope these tips were helpful and that whenever you have your break planned during this summer, that you are able to enjoy it a little bit more.
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