Suddenly my life changes. I’m not responsible for students, because technically I don’t have any. I’m not using mind power on planning (because yes, teachers even do this during holiday breaks – if school is in session, so are our planning minds). I’m not as stimulated as I am while at work. And best of all, no more Sunday Scaries.

I’ve learned, however, during my 18 years of teaching and summer vacations, that although the sudden adjustment is a welcome one, it can be hard. The hamster wheel I’ve been spinning on since August hasn’t just stopped, it’s disappeared. The routines I had one day are gone the next.

---

So what do I do?

For the first week? Absolutely nothing. No big decisions. No tackling the to-do list. Nothing but space and freedom to feel weird.

After that. . . I use the experiences of how I’ve felt at the beginning of previous summers to inform my actions now. 

I create different routines. 

Slower starts to my day. More time at my piano. Time reading outside. Walking. Ripping everything out of my front garden with no idea of what to do with the space instead (I just hate seeing all the growth every time I pull in the driveway. No more, I win!). I’m teaching a few lessons during the summer, but not so many that I don’t have time for rest and restoration: “Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind. Again, I saw vanity under the sun: one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil; and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks ‘For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?’ This also is vanity and an unhappy business” (Ecclesiastes 4:6-8 ESV).

I rest without feeling guilty about it. 

Because rest is ok. Our bodies and minds need rest. Jesus models and provides rest for us: “And he said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat” (Mark 6:31 ESV). “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:2-3 ESV).

I’m intentional with making plans.

If I don’t, I’ll stay home alone all day every day. . . which leads to nothing good. At the same time, I don’t over-plan, but leave time for rest and spontaneity (those who know me are probably laughing at this, but I’m working on it!). Because being with people is important: “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him – a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV). 

---

Proverbs warns against being a sluggard (one who finds excuses to avoid work). That’s NOT what this is. This is using the time I’m given to enjoy God’s blessings: I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil – this is God’s gift to man” (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 ESV). This is also a time to trust and ask for guidance as I navigate sudden changes and reap the benefits of what summer has to offer: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV).

Happy Summer!