Remember everything you promised yourself you’d do when the break started?
The online courses, the events you were going to attend, the stack of books on your TBR list, or the gym membership you were finally going to sign up for? Be honest, how many have you actually done?
At the start of every break, we suddenly become the most ambitious version of ourselves, making lists, setting goals, and convincing ourselves that these next few weeks will be different. We’ll learn a new skill, exercise, attend events and finally start that project we’ve been postponing. Then the break begins and somehow sleeping in becomes the first item on our list. One minute you’re elated that exams are over and promising yourself that you’ll make the most of summer; the next you’re checking the calendar wondering how it’s August already, and you haven’t done anything yet.
The worst part of doing nothing is the side dish of guilt that is served with it (trust me, I understand; that guilt birthed this particular write-up), and it certainly doesn’t help when you open your socials and see others posting about their summer internships, 30-day fitness programs, courses completed, certifications attained, and even those whose hang-outs finally made it out of their group chats. You suddenly feel like you’re falling behind, and panic sets in. But to be honest, after months of cramming, deadlines, and basically just surviving the school year, your brain is fried. What feels like laziness is often (though not all the time) just your nervous system begging for a break. Expecting yourself to jump straight from school stress into a hyper-productive summer isn’t always realistic; sometimes, doing nothing is just your mind recovering.
Now, I’m not encouraging us to do nothing. Truthfully, there is something interesting about watching other people make the most of their breaks. I adore the achievers, those that are actually ticking off their goals. That level of discipline is genuinely impressive. If you’ve managed to learn something new, work on a project, exercise, volunteer, have a day out with your friends, or simply make progress on something meaningful to you, that deserves credit. And if so far your biggest achievement is surviving that 10-season binge, that’s valid too.
Rest isn’t a waste of time; think of it as an investment. And the good news? We still have a little time left. Now don’t try to revamp your entire life overnight. Forget about conquering a massive to-do list; just pick one small thing. Read a book. Take a short walk a few times a week. Complete a mini course. Go for an outing with your friends if you have the funds. Build a low-pressure routine without sacrificing your relaxation.
At the end of the day, it is a break, and the sole intention is for you to rest. It shouldn’t have you measuring your worth by how exhausted it makes you feel; it isn’t a performance review; and it shouldn't have you comparing yourself with everyone else. Maybe your break has been incredibly productive. Maybe it hasn’t. Or maybe it has been a weird mixture of both. Either way, there is no universal definition of a successful break. The real goal should not be to return to school a completely different person but to return well rested, prepared, and perhaps a little better than when you left.
So, if you have spent the first part of your break doing nothing, breathe. You’re not behind in life. Maybe tomorrow, do one thing. Relax, catch your breath, free yourself of the guilt over what you didn’t accomplish earlier, and move at your own pace. Reset your mind now so that when school starts up again, you’re ready to lock in. And if you genuinely need to rest today, do it.