The best thing I learned this summer... is how to BE on summer break. I know, this sounds like an odd thing! But this is the first time I have had a summer to be mostly free as a bird since I was 15! I have always picked up summer jobs and I am not very good at having no schedule for more than a week or so. But this Summer, after a very stressful end to my school year, I decided I needed a break! I needed to take some time to rest and rejuvenate. Here is what I have been doing to help me relax!
I took a trip to visit my BFF in New Jersey! It was so good to catch up with this girl. We chatted, went shopping, went to the spa, and relaxed! This was just what I needed.
I played in a joint concert with my community concert band and the Quantico Marine Band! This was one of the best experiences I have ever had. It was awesome to work with people in an activity that had nothing to do with work or speech and to play in front of this huge crowd on the 4th of July. Playing with my community band has been my just-for-me activity and it really helps me to re-focus. If you play an instrument, I highly recommend checking out your local community band!
Lastly, I wanted to cross some things off my bucket list this summer. I started blogging at the beginning of the summer and it has been so fun to learn something new and connect with people!
So all in all... my advice to you is to take some time for yourself this summer! Slow down, rest, and do some things that are just for you! Being an SLP is awesome, but at some point we ALL need a break. Go catch up with an old friend, do something for yourself not related to work, or learn something new!
~Erin
P.S. Want to link up? Head over to visit SLPRunner and follow the directions!
Taking some time off is so important! What instrument do you play?All Y’all Need
ReplyDeleteI play the flute! Oddly enough out of the 6 or so flutes in the band, 3 of us are SLPs!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds so wonderful. Thanks for linking up with us. Your blog is so lovely; I'm so happy to have discovered it!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a wonderful summer- great! Thank you for linking up with the Frenzied SLPs- it's great to have you!
ReplyDeleteHi Erin...great reminder to slow down. I'm new to blogging also. Your blog is great!
ReplyDeleteI am trying to slow down and let some things go. I have been super busy this summer, but plan to take this last week before school to rest and recharge.
ReplyDeleteI also play flute in our community band! I have a confession to make: sometimes during a performance, I feel like I'm a studio musician (which was one of my dreams in high school)!
ReplyDeleteThis wasn't a slow down and let go summer for me, and I"m definitely regretting it now that we're back to work!
http://oldschoolspeech.blogspot.com
Yay band! My confession: every time the conductor talks about different articulation styles for notes or I start comparing being a band conductor to being an SLP.
DeleteYES! Years ago I decided to scrimp and save so I could enjoy myself and my family during the summer. The way we all go during the school year, it is necessary medicine! Great job!
ReplyDeletePlaying an instrument seems like such an awesome way to unwind. Sounds like a great summer! Congrats on the new blog:)
ReplyDeleteDo you use much music in therapy?! That would be fabulous if your instrument lends itself more easily than others. Seems so many of us learned we need to ENJOY time more. Thanks for sharing.
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