Take a (lot of) Breaks

The Pomodoro Technique, a time-management system that calls for concentrated productivity and short breaks, has been around since the 1980s. However, it seems to be experiencing a resurgence in the last few years. I reckon it has much to do with pandemic fatigue, the erasure of work/life boundaries, and general over-stimulation.

I also live with two people who have ADHD and Pomodoro harnesses the power of their hyper-focus without the danger of mental exhaustion from a prolonged period of activity. We like the Time Timer, a non-digital and very visual countdown device.

I have found various ways to take breaks between teaching classes or writing for an extended period. Sometimes, I need a short walk and silence. Other times, I favor ten minutes of reading, twenty minutes of a podcast, a few minutes of an audiobook, etc. Switching to cooking or cleaning (when I’m working from home) can provide a mental rest, provided I stick to my break timer and don’t get distracted by other household tasks.

I have had a long-standing rule of no work on Saturdays. If I don’t stick to this, I’m useless the rest of the week. I have to have one day completely off. In recent months, I have had to extend this to no work at night. Any productivity in the evenings goes toward household or creative tasks. Again, if I don’t, the next day’s productivity suffers. I work hard and have a lot of personal and professional responsibilities. I want to show up in the best way possible for all of them.

I’ve stopped apologizing for taking Pilates on my lunch hour or saying no to an optional meeting because it will interfere with my mental clarity. I know the limits of my brain. And if my productivity/break cycle gets interrupted, I make time to recharge.