Dark side of summer break
I was recently reading some things from K-12 teachers regarding “the dark side of summer break” and boy howdy do I feel like I relate this summer. For reference I just finished my fourth year as TT prof in STEM. All of the previous summers have been busy with grant and manuscript writing along with field work. This summer I decided to “take it easy” given the fact that I was approved for early promotion, the last academic year was nuts, and federal grant writing for my field feels utterly pointless at this time. There are certainly things I’ve been chipping away at, but to be honest I’m feeling wonky, unproductive, and perhaps a bit depressed. Going full speed to essentially 1mph and the general lack of structure is I think what has gotten to me. I have done many personal things like traveling and spending time with friends and family, so I do recognize that benefit. But it’s just a weird feeling and now that it’s July I’m having a hard time getting my motivation back. Anyone else out there feel this way too and have some advice?