As you prepare to read through that MSN news article for the third time, you notice your coworker shopping for clothes on the J Crew website. Down the hall, the marketing team is getting more rowdy by the second, howling with laughter and discussing the game plan for next week’s website launch. Several developers from the IT team have whizzed past your desk, backpacks in tow. Slowly, you redirect your eyes to the lower righthand corner of your computer monitor.
It’s finally 5:00!
You hurriedly gather your purse and polka dot lunch bag and join the ranks of other employees who are skipping to their cars. Every Friday at around 5pm, employees across the country can be heard rejoicing as they can finally begin their weekends. Whether you’re a part time or full time employee, you know the relief that the weekend brings. With the promise of extra sleep, brunch dates, and completed to-do lists dancing in our heads, we do our best to maximize our days off.
Sadly, we are all too familiar with the dread that creeps in on Sunday afternoon. Thoughts of the kids’ afterschool schedules, mid-week small group, and your Monday morning team meeting bring clouds to your weekend picnic. No matter how productive we are, the weekends are always fleeting, and we arrive at our Monday morning destination unmotivated and unprepared. Fortunately, with a little restructuring and a bit more planning, we can have the restorative weekends we’ve always dreamt of, full of rest and relaxation. Here are a few techniques that can make all the difference in the quality of your weekends
1.) Time your weekend tasks.
Are you finally getting those cute braids for the winter? Are you hosting a holiday party? Deep cleaning the house? That’s awesome! However, do you know how much time these tasks truly take? 2 hours? 8 hours? A whole day? Whether you’re having fun or being productive, it’s important that you consider how long your weekend plans will take, and what other tasks will be impacted. Although your annual vision board party is Saturday night, you still have to pick up last minute supplies and prep your home. Once the party is over, you’ll still have to cleanup. How much time will that truly cost you, and what other important tasks do you have left to do? Don’t freak out. Instead, take advantage of the convenient services that are available in today’s digital age so that you can save time and focus on yourself and the people you love. During your Friday lunchbreak, shop for last minute supplies through store apps, like Targetor Walmart, and have your items carried out to your car. Knock out your grocery list by having everything delivered to your home through the Instacart App. While some fees may apply, these services will really help if you’re pressed for time. I have used all of these services, and I can say with confidence that they’ve helped me manage my weekend routines with ease.
2.)Do your Sunday tasks on Saturday.
This is one that I just recently started doing. Friday nights are usually my nights. No friends, no socializing—just pizza, the tv, and my foot massager. Saturdays are my social days. Food, friends, and fun. Thennn we get to Sundays. Sundays are my get-everything-done-now-or-else days. I used to wash my hair, do laundry, deep clean the apartment, grocery shop, meal prep, and any other ambitious task on this day. However, leaving the brunt of my weekend chores for the last day of my mini vacay left me feeling exhausted, overworked, and honestly—like a failure if I didn’t finish everything in time. As a solution, I started doing two or three of my major chores on Saturday, such as hair washing, laundry, and cleaning up. Doing this really lifted the Sunday evening weight off of my shoulders because the most daunting tasks were finished. Try moving your weekly meal prep or your study time back one day to free up some time before your week begins again. That way, you can still enjoy some fun activities and enjoy your entire weekend, not just Friday and Saturday.
3)Indulge.
My jam-packed weekday schedule doesn’t leave much time for lounging around, and quite frankly, neither do my weekends. I enjoy being active and involved, and I often feel unproductive if I’m not. I realized that this isn’t always the healthiest perspective to have, and that it’s important to make time to do things that are fun, comforting and relaxing to me. Give yourself the permission to take a long hot bath instead of a quick shower, and use your GOOD lotion afterwards! Cook yourself a hot breakfast instead of having overnight oats again. Read a book for fun. It may seem impossible, but it’s always necessary to reserve some time for you and the things you consider enjoyable.
4) Sprinkle in some weekday fun.
I used to live for the weekends. Monday through Friday afternoon were just fillers until Friday night, where I really got to LIVE. I compartmentalized my life; My fun side was only allowed out during the weekends. Once Monday hit, it was back to straight laced, professional Ashley. What I didn’t realize is that planning and attending weekday events can be just as fun and fulfilling as your weekend plans. Hit up a friend and check out a local bar or restaurant, which will more than likely have some great happy hour specials. Attend a networking event solo and meet other professionals in your area. Peruse the mall to find some fashion inspiration. If you have family obligations to fulfill, consider a lowkey movie or game night. Prepare some snacks and get ready to have some family fun! Just make sure to keep track of time so that you can prepare for the next day. Having a good time throughout the week lessens burnout and prevents us from chasing the weekend every weekend.
For most of us, the weekends are an opportunity to rest, play, and catch up on our responsibilities. Often times, we find that our weekends slip right through our fingers, and we end up facing Monday with reservation and anxiety. Remember this--you don’t have to save the world in one weekend! Make time for the most urgent things on your mental to-do list—yourself being first. Figure out what the weekend symbolizes for you, and try to incorporate that meaning into each day (yes, even Monday!). No matter what day of the week, each day holds the promise of joy, growth, and excitement, but only if you let it.
What are your tips for having a restorative weekend? Feel free to email me from the Contact Us page, or leave a comment on my Instagram page.
As always, live gently.