Listen up. It’s time to take our weekend-ing seriously. Most of us get two preciously consecutive days away from work and we need to make the most of it… but not in an overachiever, do-all-the-things kind of way. We need to take our maxing and relaxing into consideration. There should also be sunshine (where possible), and eggs.
The weekend. Here’s how:
• Don’t put too much pressure on Friday night. Friday night is actually the best night for a mellow yoga class, a bowl of really extravagant popcorn (for dinner), and a Netflix binge. Friday is also an excellent night to think about how much freedom you have in the coming days. These thoughts, will be essential as the weekend progresses.
• Get the chores out of the way. By this I mean… get up, shuffle to Home Depot wearing your finest sleep sweats, buy that dang thing you need to buy, take it home and do the dang thing you need to do with it. Vacuum, clean the bathroom mirror, wipe down the night stands, Do just enough so that you feel good about yourself, and when unexpected company comes over, they won’t judge your toothpaste flecks on the bathroom mirror. They’ll judge other stuff, but that’s because they’re jerks that came over unannounced.
• Find at least one day in the weekend where you don’t set your alarm. All too often we wake up to the blaring beep of our alarm clocks. Enough is enough. Sleep, with enthusiasm… like a bear. Now, if you have children… those critters seem to be natural alarm clocks. That’s on you. You made that with your body. I don’t know what to tell you.
• Standing in line for Brunch is trifling unless you are with your coolest friends and have the right fashion sunglasses. It’s mostly an exercise in hangry under-caffeination. The words “the coolest brunch spot” are NIGHTMARE WORDS if you actually want coffee and breakfast.
My solution, make breakfast. AKA ‘morning food adult-ing’. I can help you with this. Here are your tools:
• Whole Grain Waffles with millet, poppy seed, sunflower, and flax • Costa Rican Breakfast • Sausage Cheddar and Grits Frittata • Buttered Pecan Biscuits • Pear Crumble Cake •
• Put down the phone for at least an hour. Read a book. Flip through a magazine. Stare at the wall without thinking about Instagram. I’m reading Fates and Furies. SO GOOD it almost makes me mad. Good-angry is a thing.
• Spend some time looking another human in the eye, listen to what they have to say, and respond with heart. Crazy, right?
• Go outside even if that means going out on the patio to water the potted plants and dig around in the dirt while your cat chases lizards.
• Find some adventure, large or small. Poach an egg like a boss if you don’t know how. Wear a hat you don’t usually wear. Go for a neighborhood walk and get a little lost. Is it possible to get just a little lost? Not like… Blair Witch lost… not like LOST, lost. How about misplaced? Get misplaced in your city…that basically means wandering around looking for good coffee you’ve never tried before. Do that. Keep it simple.
• Here’s the thing… with ever good weekend comes a Sunday night. Sunday nights can be the toughest part of the week. The end of the weekend coupled with gnawing anticipation of the week ahead. As far as I can tell, the only cure for the Sunday Night Stresses is bourbon, which… isn’t true, but also isn’t not true. To avoid the Sunday Stresses, pep-talk yourself into calm because Monday isn’t usually as bad as it seems in our crazy brains and even if it is, we’re strong and capable and bigger and badder and bossier (more bossy).
Well. Here we go! Let’s weekend!
For our future selves: 11 Ways To Get Through This Monday
47 Responses
I like this advice. It satisfies the neat freak in me and the relaxation in my husband. The best of both worlds!
Should have read this at the start of my weekend! Love it though ??
Yes! Amazing!
Thank you Joy.
You are amazing. I needed this. Thank you.
This whole post makes me happy. Time to make a little time on Sunday morning to poach an egg like a boss.
Ash
http://www.theboardandwire.com
I was sitting outside listening to some chill music as I read this and it made it that much better. Seriously, Joy, you rock.
You had me at brunch being triflin’. And I hope you are enjoying Fates and Furies, one of the best books I have read this year. Happy Weekend!
I feel so accomplished- I’ve poached an egg, binged on Netflix, AND read a few book so far this weekend. Your list makes me feel a little better about laying in bed doing those things, but also guilty for being to lazy to do those chores…
Thanks for the pep talk! You pretty much nailed my weekend progression, though I had some dal before eating the Friday night fancy popcorn.
Love this, Joy. Always spot on with humor and reality checks :)
Wooowww!!!!!! i want to eat it as soon as possible!!!! Good job!
I combat Sunday stress with my Self Care Sunday evenings: Shower beer, bluegrass, and a face mask. It’s my absolute favorite part of my crazy double-BFA week. At times, the thought of it is what gets me through getting up on Monday mornings.
You crack me up, Joy! Love what you said here. Especially because I’m a new mom, and oh gosh, those days of sleeping like a bear are long gone. But life is good, and should be savored nonetheless! Happy Weekend! :)
amazing no bake humburger picture, i find your links are awesome, thanks for sharing
Brilliant advice as always. I am seriously eyeing that popcorn for my dinner now.
My husband just left me, and the weekends are definitely the toughest days/nights of the week!
I am slowly realising my days/nights/weekends will never be the same again, and I really needed this advice, so: Thank You!
It also makes me long for place that is truly my “own” not “ours”. My husband and I were in the middle of a kitchen remodel when he left, so I don’t have a kitchen at the moment, and I miss making my comfort food.. Finding an apartment is on top of my list!
I want this weekend exactly. And your comments about child/creature/alarm clocks may be the best thing I’ve read all week :)
This was wonderful <3 you are awesome
I agree about the bourbon Sunday. I like where your head is at. :)
Fantastic. <3
Love your first part about not putting too much pressure on Friday night. 90% of the time I try hard to not make plans for Friday evening. I have a routine of going to a yoga class straight after work and then just doing whatever I want to alone – go for a walk, get a massage, read a book at a coffee shop, watch Netflix. It’s the best way to end a week and starts my weekend on such a high note.
“That’s on you. You made that with your body. I don’t know what to tell you. ” Hits me right in the snooze button as I’m currently growing a new human and this is the aspect I’m least looking forward to.
Off your title, This Is How We Do It, Montell Jordan, running through my head major! That’s okay though. Gives me a weekend beat, lol.
(I’m all over your ‘read a book’ Saturday/Sunday. It’s like a gift to do that!)
“Do just enough so that you feel good about yourself, and when unexpected company comes over, they won’t judge your toothpaste flecks on the bathroom mirror. They’ll judge other stuff, but that’s because they’re jerks that came over unannounced.” I love this. :)
YES to all of these! Especially the putting away of the phone. Your brain will thank you later!
PREACH.
Great post and agree with it all…and why do Sunday evenings have to suck so much? Bourbon is a must, lady!
Amazing, thank you! I will try to remember these this weekend x
http://www.wonkylauren.com
I think we’re soul sisters! Perfect weekend plans!!
I love this!
This post speaks to my soul. <3
This sounds like the perfect weekend!
LOVE this post! “You made that with your body.” Can I insert the crying laughing emoji into a comment box?
Hahaha I was going to say the exact same thing! Soooo funny.
Haha I love this, Joy! You had me laughing aloud at “you made this with your body.” This is a brilliant plan for every weekend.
Also, Fates and Furies! SO GOOD!
Have a lovely weekend!
I LOVED this post! It made me laugh, and smile, and want to just chillll on my looming to-do list and enjoy the next couple days.
Fun fact: I live in the same college town as Lauren Groff and only discovered her work a couple months ago. Then I realized that I see her at the gym on the reg. So far I’ve been too scared of interrupting someone’s gym-space to tell her how hauntingly beautiful her words are.
Oh man, that book, it IS so ridiculously good, right? Lauren Groff knows how to write. I got sucked right into that life.
Arcadia is also excellent!
One thing to add to the weekend list (at least, for me): bake some tasty cookies. The week is always so crazy that it isn’t usually until the weekend that I can actually bake anything. This weekend it will be those peanut butter cookies Deb posted… yuuuum.
Oh I love this post!!!! I’m going to barely clean, hide my phone, cook and sew…except I also HAVE to read like 100 pages of Max Weber for a class. boo hooo.
Love these words.
Thank you! The exact advice I needed at this moment!
Love this post! Excellent outlook on how to weekend and I’m going to try several of these suggestions!
I really hate getting Blair Witch lost.
perfect post
https://sofikasthoughts.blogspot.gr
Excellent guide; I will be following your recommendations ;)
Gotcha Joy! Thanks :) http://www.theblondeb.com