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Making the most of your downtime...

Last post 17/01/12 at 12:42 by MrMusic, 10 replies
Post started by MusicTeacherReading on 22/12/11 at 13:30

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    Posted by: MusicTeacherReading 22/12/2011 at 13:30
    Joined on 18/06/2007
    Posts 20
    I know we don't always have a lot of it, it when you have some downtime, how do people spend it? I'd quite like to take up a new hobby and tried joining a choir, however being a Head of Music and a pianist the hobby soon turned to another work project. I'm 26 and single, live in my own flat and have a work-life balance issue where I can often be found in my office working long 12-hour days. I've been in the job almost a year and it was the realisation of watching an NQT quit through stress that made me realise that if I don't do something about it now then my career won't last beyond my 30th birthday. The vast majority of HODs at my school are married and have children and Friday afterschool trips to the pub aren't cutting it! So I guess my question is: What hobbies (non musical!) do you suggest that allow you to completely forget the stresses and strains of work for a little while?
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    Posted by: Karvol 22/12/2011 at 15:08
    Joined on 30/06/2008
    Posts 2,638

     I took up learning to play a guitar, learning French and starting a MA.

     

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    Posted by: noemie 22/12/2011 at 18:38
    Joined on 10/02/2007
    Posts 1,284

    I tried salsa for a bit - great as it combines music with another skill and apparently most modern songs can fit the salsa rhythm.

    I second the learning a new language bit of course! But then I'd say that, being a language teacher. Photography is one of my husband's serious hobbies, all self-taught and these days it's easy to pick up nice bits of kit for cheap on ebay, particularly if you go down the film route, which can then lead to processing and developing (black and white is relatively easy).

    I've just met an old friend who is really into semi-precious stones - he has quite a collection and there are stone fairs apparently. He often travels to Madagascar for work and so can find stones relatively cheaply, which he then swaps with other amateurs.

    I guess it will all depend on where you live. I gave up the salsa lessons mainly because it was in the middle of the week and half an hour away from where I live, so ultimately not viable.

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    Posted by: redpens 24/12/2011 at 23:01
    Joined on 10/04/2007
    Posts 748

     Join a tennis club - fun, sociable and good exercise

     Reading - good for winding down at night - you could join a book club too which is very sociable too

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    Posted by: anon740 31/12/2011 at 12:25
    Joined on 19/11/2011
    Posts 267
    Yoga and playing my new 3DS games.
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    Posted by: September 01/01/2012 at 17:05
    Joined on 22/04/2002
    Posts 293

    Book a  weekend or week away on an activity holiday. I have done cycling and walking holidays. It may then spur you on to take something up on a more regular level once you get back.

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    Posted by: Kleeblatt 04/01/2012 at 12:52
    Joined on 04/01/2006
    Posts 48

    Currently I'm training for a marathon. Running is an amazing stress reliever and it amazing how blank my mind goes when its focusing on breathing!!

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    Posted by: Karvol 04/01/2012 at 19:25
    Joined on 30/06/2008
    Posts 2,638

    Kleeblatt:

    Currently I'm training for a marathon. Running is an amazing stress reliever and it amazing how blank my mind goes when its focusing on breathing!!

     

    Careful! Next step will be the ironman or ironwoman!

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    Posted by: giraffelover 06/01/2012 at 20:39
    Joined on 12/09/2006
    Posts 21

    try a spint triathlon - great fun and  not too serious!! Can highly recommend it. me and hubby training too, wouldn't say in earnest, but currently better than before Christmas, but then it is only the first week back - in 2 weeks time I may be so shattered I have neither energy nor willpower left

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    Posted by: Kleeblatt 14/01/2012 at 19:55
    Joined on 04/01/2006
    Posts 48

     Problem with a tri is I'd have to learn to swim properly!! Energy isslowly decreasing for me too - but I'm going to push through *hopefully* otherwise I end up sat on the sofa eating!

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