I love this post. I am far more productive in a scholarly sense in retirement. It's the ultimate in work/life balance (NB: Never had children). I have no more brass rings. Thus, I can enjoy whatever little shiny thing I have now, better. I have the book to work on, but no one is on my back about it. My husband wisely suggested that this time I do NOT get a contract before it is done. Otherwise I'll stress out. Sure, I have days where I say I will not finish the book without that kind of pressure, I'm a bum, I can't write a coherent sentence. Then I remind myself. So what? Are you happy researching it and doing conference papers? Isn't that "just enough" pressure? In the end, my brass ring is simply to continue sharing in the life of the mind, something I've loved all my life.
Hi Loleen, thank your for this post. I have a week off coming up, and preparing for it and leaving a detailed out of office is a great idea. Down here in NZ, 'summer' break isn't until December, as you know I'm sure, essentially Christmas to the beginning of Feb (being Cdn, I always feel jipped by this timing - Christmas, New Years, academic summer break, child's school hols all wrapped into one...) and increasingly it is now considered a real 'Term or Trimester 3', where expectations largely remain the same. Dual delivery teaching has made everything harder... so I have to work harder (?) at taking breaks. What a world!
I appreciate this very timely post. I am taking my first true break in a week since starting an administrative role (oh 9-month contract, how I miss you). I am looking forward to being computer-free for a week and these tips on how to prepare came at the perfect time!
I love this post. I am far more productive in a scholarly sense in retirement. It's the ultimate in work/life balance (NB: Never had children). I have no more brass rings. Thus, I can enjoy whatever little shiny thing I have now, better. I have the book to work on, but no one is on my back about it. My husband wisely suggested that this time I do NOT get a contract before it is done. Otherwise I'll stress out. Sure, I have days where I say I will not finish the book without that kind of pressure, I'm a bum, I can't write a coherent sentence. Then I remind myself. So what? Are you happy researching it and doing conference papers? Isn't that "just enough" pressure? In the end, my brass ring is simply to continue sharing in the life of the mind, something I've loved all my life.
Hi Loleen, thank your for this post. I have a week off coming up, and preparing for it and leaving a detailed out of office is a great idea. Down here in NZ, 'summer' break isn't until December, as you know I'm sure, essentially Christmas to the beginning of Feb (being Cdn, I always feel jipped by this timing - Christmas, New Years, academic summer break, child's school hols all wrapped into one...) and increasingly it is now considered a real 'Term or Trimester 3', where expectations largely remain the same. Dual delivery teaching has made everything harder... so I have to work harder (?) at taking breaks. What a world!
I appreciate this very timely post. I am taking my first true break in a week since starting an administrative role (oh 9-month contract, how I miss you). I am looking forward to being computer-free for a week and these tips on how to prepare came at the perfect time!