Avoid the Disappearing Downtime this Weekend

I am starting to develop theories as to why this week has felt so extremely long; and not only long but treacherous too.  Maybe it had something to do with the conjunction of Venus and Jupiter yesterday, maybe it’s a moon phase, I just don’t know, but whatever it may be, the nature of the universe has seemed to slow things down for us humans this week. 

Every week, I feel the anticipation within me build and grow stronger, the closer we approach the ever so glorious Friday, that us hard working Americans have been conditioned to love and very much appreciate.  Even for those who do not have the luxury of having their weekend on Saturday and Sunday, who may have to work through those days, they still reference their last day of work as “their Friday”. With this being said, I think I can speak for most every hard working individual out there and say many of us anticipate and glorify our weekends.

Yet after all the hard work we put into our busy weeks, and after all the anticipation, in a split second the weekend has already passed us by and before we know it, we’re staring at the screen of our alarm clock and it is screaming at us in that annoying tone, “Sorry buddy, you’re weekend has officially ended and you got another 5 days ‘til you get to rest again…so time to get up! GET UP! GET UP! GET UP! GET UP! GET UP already!” After resisting the urge to throw the alarm clock against the wall, you turn it off, get ready and conquer yet another long lasting week.

If this sounds all too familiar, then let me reassure you that there are a few things you can do to maximize your weekends and enjoy every second that it gives you.  So to avoid the disappearing downtime, here are a few guidelines you should practice and incorporate into your long awaited upcoming weekend. 

The mundane.  Do something you haven’t done before. If you wish to make the most out of your weekends try not to get caught up in mindless activities like spending hours in front of the television or using the weekend to sleep those days away: that’s what weekdays are for.  Yes, the weekends are meant for us to “recharge” and “relax”, but there is nothing relaxing or worse than falling into a negative cycle of unengaged activity.  Weekends should be satisfying and fun, not mundane and unfulfilled.

Never-ending tasks.  As long as I can remember I have always used my weekends to finish up the things I was just never able to do during the weekday.  Personally, I find it extremely hard to leave my cabin in a mess. I always seem to tell myself, “Cherie this HAS to get done.” But I soon realize that nobody is telling me to do this but me.  So, I have learned to schedule some time to “tidy” things up but to be sure to put limitations on the chore list.  If this seems impossible, then designate a full day during the weekeday to clean, no matter how long it takes! I know you can do it and I also know you will feel free as soon as that weekend begins.

Time management.  If you change your perception of time, time will have no control.  Be sure to schedule your weekends in a way that balances your chores and your activities.

Be strict.  Stay in control of the time you have been given.  Don’t allow friends permission to just “drop by” on the weekends, and try not to venture into places that you may be unknowningly stuck in for hours. Protect yourself, be strict on yourself, on your friends, and give more time to yourself by setting those boundaries. 

Is it worth it?  Are you spending the hours of your weekend getting lost on the internet; shopping for clothes or repin-ing that dream house and dream body on Pinterest?  Take into consideration the activities that you are engaged in this weekend and ask yourself if those activities are worthy of your “very precious” time that you have been granted.

I recommend everyone be a little more conscious of their behaviors, their choices and activities this weekend. Enjoy this time to the fullest, while making time for yourself. 

Try doing something you have never done before. Make something for a friend, send them a complimentary email or phonecall; and feel better of a person for doing so.  Regardless of what you do, make the most of it.  Try sushi if you have never tried it before.  I strongly encourage you to try meditating or doing yoga if you have never done such a thing. Try cooking if you are used to fast food.  Take a walk if you haven’t been outside in awhile.  Go get a drink with a friend on those evenings.  LIVE YOUR LIFE TO THE FULLEST my friends.

Life is short to be wasting your time on mindless activity.  If you never woke on Monday morning, would you have been satisfied with the weekend that had just passed you by?  Enjoy this weekend everybody and never take life for granted.