At the end of a busy week, what better way to unwind than taking full advantage of your weekend? But when free time is actually hard to find – because life happens – weekends can fly by. Don’t miss the opportunity to make the most of your two days away from the workplace.
Create an Itinerary for Self-Care
Plan out your weekend to make sure you set aside time for the fun stuff. By the time I hit the weekend with food shopping, swim lessons for my daughter, meal prep and more, it is easy to get overwhelmed and stressed with a long to-do list. And all of the sudden, finding time for myself seems impossible.
However planning time to yourself is crucial in rejuvenating and recharging for the week ahead. Even when time is tight, when you can put some time in your calendar and commit to it, it’s that much more likely to get done.
I try to wake up early to get in a 30 minute workout or set aside some time in the afternoon to read a book. Perhaps you’d like to get in a relaxing bath or go outside and get some fresh air. Whatever it may be, treat it as if it’s an appointment on your calendar that cannot be cancelled.
Once you have the self-care and the “me” time blocked off in your day, plan the rest of your to-do’s around it. Often times, it feels like there is not enough time in the day. But when we plan properly, we can prioritize our time and plan for what we need.
Prioritize your Top 3-4 To-Do’s
A to-do list has a funny way of spiraling out of control. Add in a few items to try and get yourself organized, and before you know it, you have a day and a half worth of to-do’s. It’s great to be productive, but it’s not great to run yourself into the ground trying to get everything done by yourself.
What I find helpful is prioritizing your top 3 items on your “Has to Get Done” list. These items may be food shopping, laundry, meal prep, sports games etc. These are the items that are your non-negotiable’s. Add them into your schedule – and be sure to schedule these around your self-care and more enjoyable items. They’re just as important, but we want to be sure not to sacrifice the time that we need for ourselves.
Then (because the list truly never ends), you have other items that are still at the top of your to-do list, but can honestly be done over the course of the next few days or later on in the week. Put these on a “Nice to Get Done” list. When you have some time to squeeze them in, go for it. Otherwise, if you don’t get to them over the weekend, know that it’s not the end of the world.
Time and other commitments have a way of sneaking up on us. Be flexible, and keep in mind there is always another day. Again, it’s great to be productive. But don’t be too hard on yourself if it doesn’t all get done.
Try Something New & Find Some Adventure
Think of your weekend as a mini vacay! What might you be doing on an actual vacation? – Exploring somewhere new, meeting new people, outdoor activities like hiking or kayaking, relaxing on a secluded instagram-worthy beach. Okay, getting to a secluded instagram-worthy beach may not be in the cards for a weekend trip, but let’s roll with this mindset.
The excitement of trying something new can give us a big rush of energy and excitement for life. It may only be an hour or two out of your day – a new workout class, a bike ride on a new path, trying a new restaurant – but it can be enough to really force us to unplug and appreciate a new experience.
Make a list of some of the things you’ve been dying to try, and keep them in your back pocket for the weekends where you can plan to try something new. Treat it like an adventure, and enjoy the experience!
Happy Weekend!
Use your free time wisely, and remember to have fun and relax! These tips may work for some – but not for all.
If you’re truly just looking forward to relaxation and down time, do that too! The most important thing is understanding what makes you happy, less stressed and fulfilled in your life. Whatever those things are, do them 😊
Owning Your Success 