Chapters 1-3: Share your thoughts about this passage: “There are 168 hours in a week. Let’s say you’re contracted to work around 40 hours and you work another 20 hours every week for free. That’s 6o hours a week spent on school-related tasks, leaving you with 108 hours for everything else. If you factor in around 7 hours of sleep a night, that still leaves you with 59-60 hours a week for yourself…” How do you currently spend your 60 hours of weekly free time? Would you like to make changes to how you spend this time going forward?
How do you currently spend your 60 hours of weekly free time? Would you like to make changes to how you spend this time going forward?
ReplyDeleteI currently get home from work and I decompress with screens, typically in Spanish. I make supper sometimes. I talk on the phone/facetime with family and friends. Sometimes I bring work home. I would l like to become more mindful with my time and do things that are more rewarding. I would like to be more intentional with my physical self-care. I also want to prioritize my environmental self-care since I just moved and some of my spaces still reflect the move. I would like to make a habit of organizing my time better by creating lists with the order of importance, so I spend less time on banal choices.
I really enjoyed this passage on time spent. It made me look at my own life and how I spend my 60 hours a week. We have three teenagers so a lot of time is spent at their activities as well as doing daily chores. The story about making supper being a choice was eye opening! I do have a choice! I realized how important supper is to me and my family and that time with my husband and kids is one of the best times of each day so making supper to me is time well spent. What a great way to look at that time everyday! I want to be more mindful of how I spend some of my time and make sure I am using it meaningfully. Just being aware that I have choices with my time is already beneficial and a much better way to view my day and time!
ReplyDeleteI spend my free time for my personal choices--taking classes to renew my teaching certificate, reading books for enjoyment, taking my dog for walks, spending time doing different activities with my family and just relaxing at home. I also clean in my spare time. I like to spend time with friends and make it meaningful.
ReplyDeleteThat section of the book really made me think about time. Time is such a struggle because it can so easily slip away with the wrong things occupying it. Something I am often guilty of and let take up a lot of my time is social media. I am very good about taking time for my health; working out, meal prepping, bible studies, etc.. however, I do let social media take quite a bit of time from me. This is something that I would really like to work on. I do a pretty good job of leaving work at work and not bringing papers home or working on school during that time. Social media is my big time waster that I could work on.
ReplyDeleteWhat resonated with me in this chapter is your free time not feeling free. A lot of my free time is not spent efficiently. Rather it's spent dreading lesson plans and other things I know will need to be done for work. When in reality if I didn't waste so much time complaining or dreading I would actually have time to do some things I enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI currently spend most of my 60 hours of free time at home or with my husband, Charlie on the farm. At home, I spend the most of my time doing household chores such as cooking or cleaning. However, I also try to do at least one "enjoyable" task per night such as reading, going on a walk, or watching a Netflix episode or two. I think finding time to do ONE thing for myself has helped me feel less overwhelmed or overworked by household or work related things.
ReplyDeleteAfter being out of the classroom for 8 years, I know I would be a better, more organized teacher now. It might be due to maturity, but I think it has to do with having a deeper understanding of how to utilize my time in a manner that respects the limited amount of it that each of us has. However, I know that I am an easily distracted individual, and I find myself scrolling through my phone when I could be doing something else. That is one thing that takes a great deal of my "free time" if I am not careful. Most of my free time is spent managing my household and family, but I also carve out plenty of time to read each week.
ReplyDeleteI accidentally posted this anonymously. This was my original post on 2/4/25.
DeleteIn my remaining time, I work a second and third job, often multitasking by completing classroom-related tasks while on the clock. Fortunately, these additional jobs align with my personal interests—I work for local production companies, which serves as both a hobby and a way to unwind. While it may seem counterintuitive to relax through work, the stress involved is different from that of teaching, making it a refreshing change. Additionally, these jobs provide opportunities to tackle less enjoyable classroom responsibilities, such as grading. I am continually exploring ways to manage my limited free time more effectively.
ReplyDeleteWith the 60 remaining hours I would say it is broken down roughly like this: 20 hours intentional time with my kids and husband, 10 hours housework/personal care, 10 hours reading, 10 hours watching tv/sports, 10 hours scrolling my phone. Many of these hours overlap - but alas I am somewhat content with the hours aside from the phone scrolling. I have read books and engaged in content about the dangers and downsides to social media and extensive phone use, and yet it is something I continue to struggle with. I do think there are some positives - I use social media to connect with other readers, follow mom content that can be helpful, sports news, etc. However there is a point in the scrolling where I know I am no longer getting anything out of it and I continue on anyway. Spending less time scrolling social media that does not serve me would free up more time and mental space for my family and hobbies that are good for me.
ReplyDeleteAs I reflect upon my free time, I can honestly and regretfully state that in the past, my free time was consumed with work that related to my classroom and items that were not meaningful and fulfilling. It took job change and a lot of mindfulness to balance work and life. My free time is now spent with family, gardening, hiking, fishing, and hunting. I can honestly state that I like myself a lot more now! When I begin to feel unbalanced, I take a strong look at how my time is being spent and what changes I need to make. It is constant hard work for me to continue to be mindful of the hours of my day, but the benefits are beyond amazing and worthwhile. I am adamant that I will be fully present for my two precious grandchildren, my own children, and my husband. I will also continue to find time to take care of myself and fill myself with the time and opportunities to be my best self.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first read this, I was amazed to think that we have 60 hours of free time! Most of my free time is spent doing things related to my family: my kid’s activities, cooking, cleaning, having quality time with family, etc. I also enjoy spending my time running or walking. Overall, I feel like I have a good balance in my life with how I spend my time. I teach at a school where there is a 4 day school week, so I really try to use my Fridays as a “work day” (cleaning finishing anything school related). This helps me really enjoy and be more present for the rest of my weekend. My family also really benefits from having structure and routine. This helps keep things from piling up. I think as our kids grow, I will make changes with how I spend my free time. I would love to have a new hobby or learn new skills!
ReplyDeleteI spend my 60 hours of free time doing the things this book talks about. I have 3 grown sons and one still in middle school. Going to his sporting events is how I spend a lot of my free time. The older I get, the less I worry about endless housework and try to enjoy some down time. I do know that I waste too much time mindlessly scrolling through my phone if I let myself. That is definitely a waste of my free time that I could be spending better.
ReplyDeleteHow do you currently spend your 60 hours of weekly free time? Would you like to make changes to how you spend this time going forward?
ReplyDeleteI spend my 60 hours of weekly free time going to the gym for an hour a few nights a week, household chores, getting groceries, laundry, walking my dog, and reading. I resonate with "free time not feeling free" and I have had many people ask me my hobbies during the school year. They are very limited to reading and hanging out with my dog, and I still try to find time to do both of those. I have really been working on just be okay with leaving things undone, such as the dishes or folding the laundry. I had someone tell me once to buy paper dinnerware for the times when I need to take care of me, and it has really helped me at some points. Going forward I am deciding to use my time how I want to spend it and to not feel guilty doing the things I need for my mental health. I am also going to be reminding myself of the mindset, "I get to" not "I have to." It is easy to get stuck in the negative and complaining state of mind, being aware is the first step though.
How do you currently spend your 60 hours of weekly free time? Would you like to make changes to how you spend this time going forward?
ReplyDeleteI spend my 60 hours of weekly free time by working out, reading, going for walks, and spending time with friends and family. I also have a 2nd job that also takes up some of that time. When I first started teaching I would take home work every night and on the weekends. This really took a toll on me. So, last year I decided I would only take work home with me on the weekends and I could only spend 1 hour each day of the weekend working on things. This helped me so much, it made me manage my time at school better and allowed me to get in my hobbies! I am currently trying to better my negative mindset and complaining. I need to remember I am making these choices and I can't complain about the choices I chose to make.
How do you currently spend your 60 hours of weekly free time? Would you like to make changes to how you spend this time going forward?
ReplyDeleteThis is the first book I have read that makes me say-finally! About two years ago I started realizing that if I continue to place all of my focus on work then when my last child graduates from high school that is all I am going to have left, work. I had found myself so wound up with everything that had to be done that I wasn't enjoying life. It was affecting me in a negative manner. So I started to really prioritize myself and self care. I have been using my extra time to do things I enjoy: reading, kayaking, hiking, journaling, taking a bath, going out with friends, and some days just sitting around catching up on series that I watch. It has made all the difference for me. So far I LOVE this book.
I was aghast that I had 60 hours of free time a week. Geez, what a lightening bolt of wake up and be wiser! I tend to think I have to work, work, work, not enough time to take a moment to do something pleasant. This past year, I've done much better at leaving my desk a disaster. I'm trying to give less on the paperwork side rather than invest too much time going overboard. I do agree that when work is a hobby, you do not count those hours. I raise cattle and they keep me centered, humble, and happy. The physical aspect clears my mind and makes me feel better. Family is number one. Having grand neices and a nephew, all under the age 5, to play with almost daily, renews my Soul. It has made saying no much easier. Choose the people and things that enhance your life. I'm a better teacher now later in life as I'm more content.
ReplyDeleteI truly think this passage hit me the hardest when reading the first 3 chapters of the book. I was surprised to find that 60 hours a week, even with school, is what is left for free time; I was expecting a lot less. In my free time, before school I go to the gym and workout. This has been a very beneficial routine for me, as it helps me wake up for the day and have energy, as well as gets my state of mental health in order and ready to tackle the day. After school, I spend my free time meal prepping, working on paperwork, or reading books. I have gotten back into reading over the past 2 years, and it is truly something I spend my free time on that is for pure enjoyment. It helps me wind down after a long day. I am very much a busy body, so I would really like to set goals to spend some of that free time in the quiet, just reflecting and truly relaxing in a way that can allow my brain to shut off. As a special education teacher, I have a lot of overstimulating days with a lot of noise, so I know it would be good for me to turn the noise off and just be in silence.
ReplyDeleteI would agree with many other posts when they wonder where does time go. I like to get to school relatively early, as I find I can get a lot of planning done then and get ready for my day. I also commute 35 minutes one-way so that takes away about 7 hours. When I get home, my life is centered around family; making supper, catching up on laundry, doing my outside chores on the farm, attending my boys' activities along with board meetings and such. Looking at having 60 hour s a week of free time I do know that I do not use my time to the best of my ability. There are some days that I am tired and I just need to put my feet up. I would really like to manage my time better so that I would have time for a walk/workout and not feels o rushed to get to everything.
ReplyDeleteHow do you currently spend your 60 hours of weekly free time? Would you like to make changes to how you spend this time going forward?
ReplyDeleteWhen I get home from work I usually work on laundry, housecleaning, getting supper ready, and getting things ready for the next day. I have a son that is a teacher/coach and a son and daughter that are in college so I usually try to check in with them sometime throughout the evening. I also have a daughter that is a senior in high school so my husband and I spend time attending her activities. When she doesn't have anything going on we try to find time to attend our sons sporting events or visit grandparents. While family is most important to me, I would like to work on taking time for myself without feeling like I have to constantly be working in order to keep up with everything. Going to adoration and exercising are two things that I am going to make time for.
How do you currently spend your 60 hours of weekly free time? Would you like to make changes to how you spend this time going forward?
ReplyDeleteI'm a wife and mother of 4, ranging from 3-14, so my 60 hours of free time are spent cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, and getting things ready for the following week. Between nightly practice, weekend games, daycare drop off and pick up my time becomes mostly about prepping for the next day. Don't get me wrong, I love a good Netflix series, I love to read and go for walks too. I often wonder how everyone does it! I teach first grade and prepping for class takes up quite a bit of my free time as well. We moved to a 4 day week several years ago and that has made a world of difference as far as planning goes. I do need to do a better job of relaxing and being still at the end of the day, so hopefully this book will help with that!
I really enjoyed this passage. It really made me step back and think about how I use my time. We still have high school age to young kids at home. So a lot of our time is spent getting them to and from activities and helping them get school work done. It is also filled with other meetings and activities. It made me think of a comment by one of my first superintendents. There will always be things to be done, at some point you just need to walk away or you will burn out. Spending meaningful time with my family moving forward will need to be more of a priority.
ReplyDeleteBy Ed Mitzel
ReplyDeleteRight now I am a young mom and only in my fifth year of teaching. I think I do a fairly decent job leaving at contracted hours and I very rarely work on weekends. I get to pick up my sons around 4:00-4:30 from daycare. The commute home is about 20 minutes. I do all the cooking in our house, but my husband cleans up. This was a compromise we made so I didn't have to feel like I was doing it all. The rest of the evening is either playing with the boys, watching tv, scrolling my phone, or doing household tasks. Going forward I would like to put my phone away during this time. I feel like a lot of my time is wasted scrolling on my phone when it's doing nothing to rejuvenate me or make me feel relaxed.
ReplyDelete