I’ve at all times made it a objective to discover extra methods to infuse day-after-day of my life with extra enjoyable. For me, it’s the little moments that carry the best sense of gratification, marvel, and awe. That first sip of espresso in the morning, the sunshine on my face, and all the small, seemingly insignificant issues that fill me with pleasure. And whereas that mindset helps me look ahead to day-after-day of the week, it’s onerous to beat the magic that summer season weekends carry.
Saturday and Sunday include a contented sense of freedom, however there are easy methods to carry that simple, breezy weekend feeling to the common Tuesday as properly. Below, I’m sharing my favourite eight simple actions that assist carry that weekend vibe to the workweek. Trust me, implementing any (or all!) of the concepts beneath can do wonders in your power and temper—irrespective of if it’s a Monday or Friday.
And when you have extra live-like-it’s-the-weekend inspiration to share, I’d love to hear your concepts in the feedback!
Featured picture by Michelle Nash.
Go Swimming
Very few things scream “weekend” quite like jumping in a swimming pool. If you’re in Austin, pack a picnic and head to Barton Springs or Deep Eddy for an evening swim. Or, invite yourself to your friend’s apartment pool, hit up a neighborhood city pool, or if you’re lucky enough, head to a nearby beach or lake. The only requirement is that you have to completely submerge yourself in the water and swim.
Try Out a Fancy Cocktail Recipe
Swap your glass of red wine with a pitcher of Lime Grapefruit Basil Gin Punch or Cucumber Sangria! Invite a friend and sip up those weekend vibes—summer playlist mandatory.
Rethink Your Morning Routine
If you’ve been here for a while, then you know we’re obsessed with learning the ins and outs of the morning routines of the most inspiring women we know. While they’re all a little different, they each fill their mornings with the rituals that ground them, support them, and set them up for a successful day. So if you sleep in until the very last minute and only have time to get dressed and rush out the door, spend a little time planning out your ideal morning—and start the steps that’ll make it happen.
Catch a Movie
Many weeknights, my brain goes into super-efficiency mode and I don’t even think about doing just-for-fun things like going to a movie. Get a ‘sitter if you need one and catch a movie you’ve been wanting to see—and yes, popcorn totally counts as dinner.
Take an Actual Lunch Break
If time allows, carve out a little space in your day when you can mindfully enjoy your midday meal. No phone. No computer. Just you and your lunch. (OK, the company of coworkers is welcome, too!) Pay attention to how your food tastes and connect with all smells and sounds around you. While it might feel a little uncomfortable at first, lean into it—there’s plenty of joy to be found.
Schedule a Midday “Recess”
This is one of those things that’s so simple, it’s almost hard to believe how much of an effect it can have on my day. In the morning when I’m going over my schedule for the day ahead, I carve out at least one hour of “recess.” This means a break from all work, commitments, and most importantly, my phone and computer. It could be an early AM surf class, leisurely walk on my lunch break, long bath with candles and a book after work, or a dance party with my kids before bedtime. Just put that recess on your calendar like any other appointment, and don’t let the busyness of life get in the way.
Have Fun With Your Workouts
OK, I totally get it if you can’t climb a mountain in the middle of your workweek. But I’m sharing this tip as a reminder that fitness and exercise don’t have to (re: shouldn’t) feel like a chore. If you don’t love pilates, don’t drag yourself to a class! Try something new—whether it’s a class you’ve always been curious about or a sport that seems like a good time. And bring a friend! There’s power—and fun—in numbers. Need some inspo? Here are 17 ideas.
Invite Friends for a Casual Dinner Party
I know, I know: the thought of cooking, hosting, and cleaning up sounds like a lot to tackle after work, and that’s why I’m a proponent of throwing an “appetizer party.” Here are all my tips, and don’t worry about staying up too late—you can go to bed early tomorrow.
This post was originally published on July 9, 2019, and has since been updated.
