It’s always been my goal to find more ways to bring more joy to each day of my life. For me, it’s the little moments that bring the most sense of satisfaction, surprise, and awe. The first sip of coffee in the morning, the sunshine on my face, and all the little, seemingly insignificant things that fill me with joy. And while that mindset helps me look forward to every day of the week, it’s hard to beat the magic that summer weekends have to offer.
Saturday and Sunday come with a sense of freedom and fun, but there are simple ways to bring that pleasant, cool weekend feel to an ordinary Tuesday. Below, I share eight of my favorite simple activities that help give the work week a weekend feel. Trust me, implementing any (or all!) of the ideas below can do wonders for your energy and mood—whether it’s Monday or Friday.
And if you have more weekend-like live inspiration to share, I’d love to hear from you in the comments!
Featured image of Michelle Nash.
Swim
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 the pool in a friend’s apartment, join a nearby city pool, or if you’re lucky enough, head to a nearby beach or lake. The only requirement is that you must be completely immersed in the water and swim.
Try fancy cocktail recipes
Swap your glass of red wine with a pitcher of Gin Punch with Lemon Grapefruit or Cucumber Sangria! Invite a friend and enjoy those weekend vibes—a summer playlist is a must.
Rethink your morning routine
If you’ve been here a while, you know us Obsessed with with insights into the morning routines of the most inspirational women we know. While they’re all a little different, each person fills their morning with rituals that ground them, support them, and set them up for a successful day. So, if you slept until the last minute and only had time to get dressed and rush out the door, take a moment to plan your ideal morning — and start taking steps to make it a reality.
Watch movie
Many nights of the week, my brain goes into super efficient mode and I don’t even think about doing fun things like going to the movies. Find a ‘babysitter if you need it and see a movie you want to see — and yes, popcorn totally counts as dinner.
Actual lunch break
If time permits, set aside some space during the day when you can safely enjoy your mid-day meal. No phone. No computer. Just you and your lunch. (Okay, you’re welcome, coworker!) Pay attention to the taste of your food and connect with all the smells and sounds around you. While it may feel a little uncomfortable at first, stick to it — you’ll find a lot of fun.
Schedule a “Break Time” at noon
This is one of those things that is so simple, it’s hard to believe how much of an effect it could have on my day. In the morning, when I review my schedule for the day ahead, I take at least an hour of “break”. This means I take a break from all my work, all my commitments, and most importantly, my phone and computer. It could be an early morning surf class, a leisurely walk during your lunch break, a long candlelit bath and reading after work, or a bedtime dance party with your kids. Just put that break in your calendar like you would any other appointment, and don’t let life’s busyness get in the way.
Have fun with your exercise
OK, I totally understand if you can’t climb in the middle of your work week. But I’m sharing this tip as a reminder that fitness and exercise shouldn’t (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 the right time. And bring a friend! There’s power — and excitement — in numbers. Need some information? Here are 17 ideas.
Invite friends to a casual dinner party
I know. These 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.
