How Taking Breaks Has Made Life More Manageable

It has helped absolve me of the tunnel vision

Photo by Tom Brunberg on Unsplash

Recently, I wonder whether I have all of a sudden lost my mojo. I’ve been less productive, more tired, and just not as sharp overall as I have been in the past months or years. I am still sharp and productive in the mornings, but the afternoons feel like a cloud enters my head and I can’t get anything done. This new feeling has not come with any health ailments or illnesses, but has just come with slight changes in routine and responsibilities with the new year.

The task that took five to ten minutes in the morning suddenly becomes significantly more difficult in the afternoon, particularly after lunch. It’s not my actual output that becomes particularly concerning: it’s how it feels. It feels like I’m just not an effective person anymore in the time period between 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. every day.

I am a special education teacher during the day and a law student at night. From an external circumstance standpoint, this makes sense. I am about to leave my profession of teaching in a few months, and I’m researching other opportunities. I am also busier than ever, and have days where I have no break between work and law school, and taking more credits than before. Sometimes, because I do have additional academic and professional responsibilities…