I have gotten into the naughty habit of not dismantling my stuff at the end of the practise session. I just leave the shoulder rest on the instrument and lay it back in the case, but don't close it. I put its little bit of fabric back over it and just leave it there for the next day

Is this habit bad or will it be okay to just leave it like that?

I find that it's easier just to leave it out all ready set up so that I can just pick it up and practise when I need to.

Do violas need their privacy and rest???

No, but they need protection!

nick

I'd normally say it wouldn't matter if you're going to practise quite often - but as the weather is so hot, I'd say it's wiser to pack the instrument away and keep it somewhere with a constant temperature.

I went away for a week, and accidentally left my fiddle in a sunny spot (in the case). The A string had snapped when I got back, and the other strings were precariously sharp...

I do that but never overnight (my violin has to sleep in its case next to my bed ). But i usually pick my violin up several times throughout the day so i sometimes do that - leaving it in an open case. Though once my dad got angry that it was 'in the way' (i'd left it on a chair as they were out but had just arrived home) and he purposely slammed the lid of my case down on my 120 year old violin
Aside from that it's fine I don't leave it out for too long though - if i'm not gonna be playing for over like 2 hours it'll go back in its case
It's probably best to put it back in its case overnight but it's ok to leave it out in the day - aslong as there's no-one around to knock it and it's in a safe place, and be careful it's not too hot etc. too

I never leave my harp out, unless for a short break between practise. If I left it out, the kids would use it as a climbing frame. Also, the humidity in our house varies constantly, so keeping the cover on the harp protects it from this.

Okay. Perhaps I will reintroduce it to the idea of overnight rests packed away in its case