The Art of Weekending
I have a confession to make. For many years I placed too much value in my work. This is not easy to admit, but it’s true. I have always loved owning a business. To me, it didn’t feel like work, it was just how I operated. I could spend hours, days, weeks on projects and when I wasn’t working on my business I was thinking about it, weekends included. Because I have always enjoyed what I do, rest became an afterthought and it wasn’t until last year that I began to see how harmful this was to my well being. Slowly, I started to wake up to the fact that weekends were a remedy, a way to restore the soul, to release worries, and to give the mind and body rest. I’m happy to report that my weekends have since been transformed and I’d love to share with you what I found to be most helpful in my year long journey to learn - The Art of Weekending.
week·end - wēkˌend
noun: the period from Friday evening through Sunday evening,
especially regarded as a time for leisure.
Please know this is not a prescriptive list to follow in order to enjoy your weekend. It’s a guide of things that helped me create weekends that were fulfilling, enjoyable, and restorative. My hope that you find these encouraging or helpful.
COMMIT
The first step in having an incredibly fun and restorative weekend is to decide that you will do just that. For me, that meant choosing to not work (without guilt) and embrace the fact that I may or may not accomplish anything of value to others, but instead will get to experience true rest and delight. This mindset was crucial in the beginning. It was also important to completely break away from weekday patterns and routines by creating new, more relaxed Saturday and Sunday morning habits. Now, months later, I’m able to look forward to the weekend with an almost childlike anticipation.
CREATIVITY
Make something with your hands. Not a masterpiece. Just something, anything really. Things that come to mind: painting, cooking, sewing, flower arranging or gardening. Research has shown that making something with your hands reduces stress and relieves anxiety leading to an overall happy feeling. It can also elevate your mood with a sense of satisfaction.
NATURE
Go to the beach and splash in the waves or head to the mountains and breathe in the forest. Step outside your back door and put your bare feet on the earth, pick a flower, or clip a few herbs. Sit in the sun for a few minutes and feel the warmth, be still as a breeze blows over you, and listen to the sounds of nature and wildlife. Watch the sunrise or sunset, what a gift!
MOVEMENT
Not to be confused with goal crushing exercise (unless that’s your thing) but movement as a form of meditation, to gain energy for the day ahead, or to wind down at the end of one. Movement helps clear your mind along with a long list of other health benefits. Some of my favorites include early morning hikes, evening walks, leisurely bike rides, kayaking, and Pilates.
NURTURE
What does your body and soul need? Do you need rest and silence, to putter and ponder, or a really good meal and an afternoon nap? Focus on doing what feels the most nurturing to you then allow yourself to be fully immersed in that moment. If you are practicing a faith or seeking deep soulful rest, consider how the Sabbath is a gift. I read The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry last year and it was very insightful on the practice and the importance of slowing down.
DELIGHT
We’re talking about fun! What does that look like for you? Is it an outdoor concert, dinner out, reading a new book, visiting an art museum - make a list! Check your city’s local calendar to see what activities are going on in your community. Take a cooking class with a friend. Have a picnic at the park or go to a baseball game. Find something FUN - and do it!
CONNECTION
We are virtually connected more than ever, but studies reveal that as a society we feel more isolated and disconnected than ever before. Add to that the rise of the self care movement, and we have bypassed how important and gratifying it is to care for others. This isn’t about hosting elaborate dinners or other extravagances, but simple acts of kindness. This could be dropping off a basket of fresh peaches to a friend or neighbor, taking time call or visit a grandparent, or sitting down to share a meal or coffee with a friend or loved one. Think about how you felt the last time someone reached out to you to connect or gave you a simple unexpected gift. That feeling can’t be achieved through the internet. We crave real connection.
