Rest. The time we take for ourselves. No one can keep up a break-neck speed and busyness for long. It leads to stress, anger, and ulcers. In light of the end of the season, the end of the year, and a reflective holiday season, rest becomes part of the seasonal cycle of interpretation. Rest not only is part of the individual but also of the institution where the interpreter works. Rest is important because it allows us the time to do better.
People need rest. Too many days working leads to stress and fatigue. That stress and fatigue can mean burn-out. When we get stressed we get short and angry with people easily. A sharply sent comment can ruin a school or keep a returning group from returning again. We take rest to help us relax, get our mind off of work, and to have a good sleep-in every so often. Take the time to use days off or lieu days to take care of yourself. "All work and no play makes Jack an dull boy."
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| Settling my mind for a long winter's nap |
Rest can happen at the places where interpretation happens too. Many of these places have a "busy season" where school, church, and other kinds of group visitation is at its highest. Maybe it is when the weather is beautiful when all the tourists come out. Sometimes the weather forces the place to close because it is too cold, wet, hot, or some other environmental conditions occur that makes it slow down. These interpretive places use the time to focus on fixing things, or cleaning them up. It is also a good time to take time to reflect on the busy season's programming goals, or compile statistics, research, have staff evaluations, or begin planning for the next busy season.
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The slow season is a great time to get to projects that
you have been meaning to get to - like cleaning. |
This period of rest is part of a larger programming cycle. The "slow season" for evaluaton, compiling, and planning is "Indoor work." Then comes a period of "ramp up", or when the first couple of school groups or a first major special event of the year. It anticipates and leads into the "busy season," whatever that busy season looks like at the place.
Finally, rest leads to a fresh and invigorated start. The best thing about rest is that it allows a break to recharge with renewed vigor. If we are always "on" it can be draining and ultimately can affect morale, presentation, and attitude. The visitors deserve to have the best presentation and if the presentor is calm, relaxed, and friendly rather than tired, irritated, and distracted.
So as the year comes to a close and many interpretive places are closed or having their "slow season", take the time and rest and relax. Reflect on your past season and how you can be part of what makes the next busy season a success!
