How to avoid the all-or-nothing trap during reading week

Your mind is a tightrope.

It’s time to redefine what a successful reading week is.

It’s about the journey and finding what you’d like out of this week. Didn’t expect philosophy from your reading week, did ya?

What is a successful reading week?

A notebook with someone writing a checklist. — *Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash.*

This question may be simple on the surface, but it extends further than “Did you have fun?” or “Did you accomplish what you set out to do?”

It doesn’t have to be deep. A successful reading week is typically a balancing act. Some moments are for enjoyment, others for getting things done and others for living in peace and recovering from the onslaught of handling assignments.

Don’t fall into the extremist trap. Not everything needs to get done and not all your time needs to be put to recovery. Everyone prefers something different.

Relaxing too much

A person reading a book while laying on a blanket on the beach. — *Photo by Dan Dumitriu on Unsplash.*

Relaxing too much can almost look like anhedonia on the surface. You’re preparing for school’s return and getting in as much rest as possible until you’ve turned into a couch potato and boy, do you feel like it. Therein lies the trap. You’re overcompensating for your recovery. Trying to get in as much rest as possible before chaos ensues once more on Monday.

Rest is important, but so is keeping yourself active. Use your reading week for activities other than consuming passive hobbies. It doesn’t have to be work-related, just keep the mind active, get outside, pursue active hobbies and live life as you would if school didn’t exist.

A good benchmark is to spend your first day or two recovering, getting into the “vacation mode” mindset, then use your reading week normally and cap it off with a final day reset to ensure you’re mentally and physically refreshed. This is just a starting point. Modify it as you wish. Everyone has a different flow to their reading week.

Working too much

A person with a stressed look and hands on their head looking at a macbook screen. — *Photo by Francisco De Legarreta C. on Unsplash.*

Using this time to increase your part-time job’s hours and make some extra money may seem like a responsible idea on the surface, but this is just the all-trap sneaking up on you. Telling you that you’re being a responsible adult and working toward paying off debt, stacking up your emergency fund or saving for that thing you really want.

This is the worst part, technically, that voice in your head is correct, but what it doesn’t tell you is all the cons that come along with it. Spoiler, it’s not worth it.

Even if you’re not seeing dollar signs but trying to get ahead on your assignments, don’t be fooled. It’s the exact same trap wrapped differently.

All you’re going to be left with is burnout, making the return to school that much more difficult.

Nobody is saying not to do anything productive during reading week if you want to. Just limit the amount of time you’re putting in and fulfill the other aspects of your life during the much-deserved time off.

Guilt

A hand on the inside of a raining glass window. — *Photo by Kristina Tripkovic on Unsplash.*

It doesn’t matter which side of the spectrum you’re on. We’re all left feeling like the person in this photo.

The lesson doesn’t lie in what you do, it’s how you feel. The only way to solve the guilt problem is to be fulfilled by Sunday night.

Careful, there’s another trap waiting for you. Don’t spin fulfilment into an outcome. “I’m going to finish all my schoolwork,” isn’t fulfillment. It’s a requirement you have to hit and if you don’t, unwavering guilt descends upon you.

Instead, let your goals be based on effort. “I’m going to do as much school work as I can” is a better mindset, and if you want to assign a daily or weekly time limit, even better.

I can safely say the same goes for relaxation. “I’m going to finish my Netflix watchlist” or “spend all my time relaxing” is the opposite end of the same spectrum. Instead, “I’m going to watch some TV” or “I’m going to relax when I’m physically or mentally tired” is the go-to mentality.

Two people jumping in the air and clapping their heels together in the middle of the street. — *Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash.*

The best reading week is one where there isn’t just one goal. Do you want to hang out with friends more? Pick up the hobby you haven’t done since winter break? Or undo all the school-related trauma that’s been done over the past few months?

Just ask yourself what you want without spreading yourself too thin and be intentional with your time.

Eventually, you’ll reflect and learn what works best for you.

Feature image by Microsoft 365 and Katie Barrett via Unsplash.

Maybe it’s time to use reading week to fulfil a lifelong dream. Just like Shivon Francis and a hobby that became a book!