[Out of the office]
I'm taking the week off...
Greetings from Lake Whatcom! It’s a rainy Monday morning–the perfect setting for a mug of tea and a new library book.
This is my fall break, so I’m intentionally keeping this week’s newsletter short.
Why take a week off in the fall? My music teachers’ collective got the inspiration from Laura Sinclair to take a week off from teaching every 5-6 weeks to keep students, teachers, and parents all feeling fresh and inspired through the school year.
Most holiday breaks in the winter and spring take care of this naturally, but the fall semester can feel awfully long without a pause.
When I was in grad school at the University of Oklahoma, we would unofficially get the Friday off before the annual October football game against the University of Texas. (Contractually obligated horns down sign!)
I was never a big football fan, but I loved having a three-day weekend off. Some years, my mom would fly out from Seattle and we’d play tourist around the state. It was a wonderful miniature vacation.
Is there space in your schedule to take a day (or a few) off to rest this month?
I think it’s especially important for musicians and music teachers to consider programming breaks into their schedules. We’re often balancing weekend gigs or studio events on top of our regular workloads, which makes us more prone to burnout.
This week, I’m looking forward to slowing down, taking lots of trail walks, and starting a new embroidery project. I won’t be taking the entire week off the administrative side of my business, unfortunately, but my nervous system feels better about tackling it in small chunks throughout.
Do I still feel guilty at times for setting these boundaries?
Absolutely.
But I know I’ll be showing up next week mentally refreshed and energized for the rest of the calendar year.
Wishing you all lots of rest!
If this is the first time we’re meeting virtually, hello! My name is Erika, and I’m a violinist, teacher, and certified Franklin Method Educator. My mission is to rethink traditional teaching approaches to help musicians play with confidence and ease. If this resonates with you, here’s how you can connect with me:
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Take a Franklin Method class with me. Learn to release tension, play with more ease, and practice injury prevention techniques. The Franklin Method uses mind-body tools and anatomical embodiments to help you improve the way you move in daily life. If you’ve never experienced the Franklin Method before, an online or in-person workshop is a great introduction! Institutional presentations are also available for arts organizations and schools.
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Explore my Resource Pages! I’m sharing some of my favorite pedagogy and musicians’ wellness resources for musicians. Learn more about different somatic movement methods, wellness platforms and practitioners, and helpful books. You can also check out new resources based on my doctoral research into integrating pedagogical approaches from the world of sports into music-teaching.
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Want to contact me directly? Email me at erika@erikaburnsviolin.com or DM me on Instagram.