The thing about the March Slice of Life Challenge is that it always happens in March. Another thing that always happens in March – at least if you’re a teacher in Ontario – is March Break. Every year I tell myself that this is great because I will be able to write SO MUCH during March Break. I will go on vacation and everything will be relaxing and wonderful. I really should know better. I’ve been doing this long enough that I should be realistic about day one of March Break. And one day I will be. But not today.
On the first day of break, physics seems out of whack. Gravity works overtime; the air thickens and acceleration is slowed; every action requires more force to begin and results in smaller than expected opposite reactions.
Today, as in years past, I am sitting on the couch, mindlessly playing games – Wordle, Sudoku, Connections, Strands, Duolingo, even my Castles of Burgundy app – while telling myself repeatedly that I should get up, I should pack, I should write, I should…
Here, I’ll take a page from Sherri and make a chart:
| What I’m doing | What I think I should be doing |
| Sleeping in | Getting up early |
| Having a second pot of tea | Emptying the dishwasher |
| Playing games | Writing |
| Duolingo | Commenting on other posts |
| Sitting on the couch | Laundry, packing |
| Talking to my mother | Talking to my mother |
This is why it’s early afternoon, and I’m only starting my day – even though I’ve been up for hours. This is why even though I have lots of writing ideas, I don’t know what to write. This is why I wish that physics allowed for teleporters that would function exclusively to take tired teachers to vacation destinations.
Listen, I promise that one day I’ll write more. I will be witty! I will be wise! Today, however, I will accept the reality that today is not one day, it’s just day one.
Persistence and Pedagogy 
Amanda,
March brings spring break here, too. In 2019 I was in the airport commenting on blogs for a commenting challenge as I prepared to board a flight to Beijing. The timing was not good. What I want to know is where are you going for your break? I hope it’s a fun place that lets mind and body rest. BTW, you are witty 99.9% of the time.
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While there is no break in my part of the world, I do love your chart of what you think you should do vs what you are doing. I could make a long list of what I should be doing right now as well but instead, I am reading because it is March! Enjoy your well earned vacation no matter what it entails
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Charts FTW!! 😀 I love what you’ve done here, illustrating the options and the choices. It’s day one and like our students, why write more when you could write less? Enjoy the break and may it bring space and time for rest, joy and (even more) wit.
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This sounds so familiar! We also have a week of break in March, although for many years the district’s calendar committee decided to make the Friday right before break as an Inservice day, with the intent to give elementary teachers their “records day”. Even though I’m now retired, I remember many of those Fridays slogging through the day, just wanting it to be day one already. I hope you are able to rest & relax during your break! Thank you for sharing.
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This was me yesterday. With all of this anticipation of being on break and enforcing how much TIMMMMEEEE I have. Stared at an empty wordpress for hours. Glided through Instagram…but the writing happened. And you are witty!
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I completely understand the feeling of “I should be doing…” I try to remember that if my body and mind are telling me to keep sleeping, keep sitting, keep doing nothing than maybe I need to do just that. Productive rest is what I call it 🙂 I heard someone once call it fermenting…sometimes we need to sit still and let our chemicals process, readjust, and reset (not exactly the fermentation process, but you get the idea) before we can go about “more productive” tasks. Happy fermenting!
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Brilliant 2 sentences: “On the first day of break, physics seems out of whack. Gravity works overtime; the air thickens and acceleration is slowed; every action requires more force to begin and results in smaller than expected opposite reactions.” First: 100% true. Second: this could be a mentor text for showing the power of rhythm in sentences—a short followed by long line.
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“The thing about the March Slice of Life Challenge is that it always happens in March.” 😂
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Exactly
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I can’t wait to be on a break and do all of the things you are currently doing! You are doing exactly what you should be doing! Taking a break!
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Actually, your story was witty and fun to read. I was with you all the way wanting to just slow down. 🙂
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You deserve a lazy day…or two! You can always be witty tomorrow. Have a great break!
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This year we’ve planned to be at home for most of the break. At first I was jealous of everyone else’s plans, but now that the break is here I’m so glad we are at home for 5 of the 10 days, and have really laid back travel plans for the rest.
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I think that part of a break is the lack of expectations for oneself. Whatever you choose is the right choice, including not doing a thing. I hope the break will bring things that feed your soul.
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This resonates with my “before Elena” life so much. Your second paragraph especially jumped at me. I might borrow that table idea and use it in one of my slices.
Always inspiring, Amanda!
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