As the school bell rings and the holidays begin, there’s a familiar mix of excitement and… pressure. For teachers, time off is often accompanied by an inner tug-of-war: the desire to rest versus the need to catch up on everything that’s been postponed. Whether it’s planning, home projects, family obligations, or simply the mental load of the term just gone, it can be hard to actually feel like you’re on a break. What’s more, with everyone reminding you how lucky you are to have those long holidays, you end up putting yourself under more pressure to make the most of them!
The problem isn’t that teachers don’t want to rest – it’s that we often don’t know how, after months of being in go-mode. The habits of urgency and over-functioning don’t vanish just because it’s the holidays. And that’s where intentional pause becomes powerful. It’s the quiet choice to opt out of being busy, even when the to-do list whispers otherwise. That’s teacher holiday wellbeing and recovery in action.
Of course, there’s also the guilt. The “I should be doing more” voice is persistent. But you can choose to respond differently this time. What if rest wasn’t something you had to justify, but something you prioritised as part of your professional practice? Because honestly, rested teachers are better teachers. Not just more productive, but more present, more connected, more able to show up as themselves.
So whatever your break looks like this time, protect it. Let it be ordinary, messy, slow, beautiful. There is no gold star for being the busiest during the holidays. Teacher holiday wellbeing comes down to recognising that you’re a human being, not just a professional machine. Recovery doesn’t always look like candles and bubble baths, nor endless social engagements (but sometimes it does!). Sometimes it looks like boundaries, stillness, or saying no.
However it happens, your rest matters. And you deserve it — without guilt.
If you need some support in organising your time or setting boundaries, or you just want help remembering how to relax, I can help. Get in touch!
