Summer Holidays pt3
As the summer break nears its end with just two weeks left, I find myself utterly exhausted but on the upside, Vicky, my bike, is back in action. Over the past several weeks, I’ve been working diligently, putting in 5 to 6 days a week and staying active for around 8 hours each day. While my earnings have fluctuated, delivering has allowed me to fund the extra activities and adventures I’ve been looking forward to throughout the holidays. Despite feeling physically drained, I can’t deny that I’m looking and feeling great—mostly because I’m too tired to care about anything else.
For these final two weeks, I’ve decided to scale back my schedule. I’ll work just 3 days a week for a maximum of 4 hours each day during peak times: 1 hour in the morning, another in the afternoon, and 2 in the evening. This change will help me wind down, recharge, and prepare to return to my full-time job while still enjoying the activities I love—because nothing says "self-care" like a 6 day week followed by a half-week of recovery.
It seems like payday has just hit, as the busy periods this week have been even more hectic than usual. Over the past two weeks, I’ve encountered all sorts of unexpected adventures, from witnessing bizarre sights like a bloke being attacked by a squirrel to meeting fascinating people from all walks of life. These experiences are some of the unique perks of being out and about in the town so frequently. My daily earnings over the past fortnight have ranged between £60 and £80 before tips, which feels like a fair reward for the effort I’ve been putting in considering I’ve spent most of my days dodging traffic and pretending I’m not too tired to smile at people.
One of the greatest benefits of using a bike for deliveries is the flexibility it offers. I’ve been able to pause for coffee with friends during the day, leave to complete an order, and return to my social time without worrying about parking. Staying close to my bike keeps my day productive yet social.
On my last day of delivering, I had to dig deep to find the energy. The effort of cycling gave my legs the same weary sensation you get in your fingers after writing a long essay. It felt like my body knew this was the final big push before a break until the October holidays. Every pedal stroke was a challenge, and exhaustion hit me all at once. I had hoped to stick to my usual routine, but it just wasn’t happening. Despite taking multiple breaks to recharge, I was finally defeated by 7:00 p.m.
That day, I earned £150 before tips and £175 after tips, a satisfying conclusion to my efforts. Although it was a struggle, it was also a good day and a fitting end to the holidays, like finishing a marathon, but with less running and more coffee breaks.
