10 Steps to a Happier Weekend
Savour your precious days off while still checking off to-dos by following this simple plan
Two days off never feels like quite enough, does it? Between home projects, cleaning, errands and social engagements, Sunday night can arrive quite suddenly, and with a major letdown. Striking the right balance between preparing for the week ahead and actually feeling as though you had a weekend is a delicate art, but it can be done. By starting with a Saturday-morning kick-off that gets you into the weekend mood, finding your weekend high point and creating closure on Sunday evening, you can give your weekend shape – and feel satisfied with what you’ve accomplished as well as rested and ready for a new week. These 10 ideas will help make any weekend work better for you.
2. Indulge on Saturday morning
If your weekday mornings are a rush, indulge yourself on Saturday morning by sleeping in, lounging in bed or (if you’re a morning person) getting up to enjoy a little yoga or to simply sit in a sunny window with your mug of coffee or tea. Have a real breakfast. Don’t worry about anything you have to do until after your morning routine is done.
If your weekday mornings are a rush, indulge yourself on Saturday morning by sleeping in, lounging in bed or (if you’re a morning person) getting up to enjoy a little yoga or to simply sit in a sunny window with your mug of coffee or tea. Have a real breakfast. Don’t worry about anything you have to do until after your morning routine is done.
3. Save up Saturday treats
Try to gather up a few small but special items each week and keep them in reserve for Saturday. A tin of special tea, fresh croissants picked up from the bakery on Friday evening, a bar of fancy chocolate, a bouquet of flowers, a stack of new library books – anticipation makes the pleasure even greater.
Try to gather up a few small but special items each week and keep them in reserve for Saturday. A tin of special tea, fresh croissants picked up from the bakery on Friday evening, a bar of fancy chocolate, a bouquet of flowers, a stack of new library books – anticipation makes the pleasure even greater.
4. Schedule serenity
Even 10 minutes here, a half an hour there, can make a huge difference in the way you feel. You don’t need to meditate to gain serenity (but go for it if you want to!); lie down and listen to music, read a favourite magazine, sip some tea or hang out on your porch.
Even 10 minutes here, a half an hour there, can make a huge difference in the way you feel. You don’t need to meditate to gain serenity (but go for it if you want to!); lie down and listen to music, read a favourite magazine, sip some tea or hang out on your porch.
5. Set a work-home boundary
It seems next to impossible these days to completely disconnect from the online world – but, hard as it may be, setting some limits is essential for a happy, healthy weekend.
If you must touch base with work, set aside a few specific (short) pockets of time to do that during the weekend, and put thoughts of the office away the rest of the time. If you enjoy browsing online for leisure, it can also be helpful to set some limits – it’s all too easy to get lost in an Internet rabbit hole for hours on end.
It seems next to impossible these days to completely disconnect from the online world – but, hard as it may be, setting some limits is essential for a happy, healthy weekend.
If you must touch base with work, set aside a few specific (short) pockets of time to do that during the weekend, and put thoughts of the office away the rest of the time. If you enjoy browsing online for leisure, it can also be helpful to set some limits – it’s all too easy to get lost in an Internet rabbit hole for hours on end.
6. Pick a weekend high point
This could be a big home project you’ve been wanting to tackle, like building a play house or painting a room, or it could be a social event like a party or date night. A great weekend tends to have one high point – two or three major events or projects will only leave you feeling exhausted.
This could be a big home project you’ve been wanting to tackle, like building a play house or painting a room, or it could be a social event like a party or date night. A great weekend tends to have one high point – two or three major events or projects will only leave you feeling exhausted.
7. Cook a double dinner
On Sunday, or whenever during the weekend you find yourself with some downtime at home, consider cooking an extra dinner. It could be a big-batch dish with leftovers for the next night, or something that can be easily doubled and frozen for a busy night later in the week. There’s nothing quite like good smells coming from the kitchen to make a weekend feel complete.
On Sunday, or whenever during the weekend you find yourself with some downtime at home, consider cooking an extra dinner. It could be a big-batch dish with leftovers for the next night, or something that can be easily doubled and frozen for a busy night later in the week. There’s nothing quite like good smells coming from the kitchen to make a weekend feel complete.
8. Go through a Sunday-evening checklist
Preferably before dinner (or while it’s cooking), go through a short list of tasks to get your home in shape and yourself ready for the week ahead. There’s no need to run yourself ragged cleaning, but if you hit these main areas, things will be in shape for the new week:
Preferably before dinner (or while it’s cooking), go through a short list of tasks to get your home in shape and yourself ready for the week ahead. There’s no need to run yourself ragged cleaning, but if you hit these main areas, things will be in shape for the new week:
- Rubbish and recycling out
- Laundry folded and put away
- Clean sheets on the bed
- Clean towels in the bathroom
- Dishes done and put away
- Floors and surfaces clean
- Entry decluttered
10. Set a positive intention for the week ahead
Before heading to bed on Sunday night, give a little thought to hopes for the coming week. Think of something positive to look forward to, pick out a fun outfit for Monday and set an intention to enjoy and appreciate your day-to-day life.
TELL US
What’s your weekend strategy? Do you stick with any routines, or do you play it by ear?
MORE
Oh, Happy Day! 9 Steps to a More Joyful You
Reclaim and Recharge: How to Create Serenity in the City
Morning Rituals That Will Make You Feel More Awake
Before heading to bed on Sunday night, give a little thought to hopes for the coming week. Think of something positive to look forward to, pick out a fun outfit for Monday and set an intention to enjoy and appreciate your day-to-day life.
TELL US
What’s your weekend strategy? Do you stick with any routines, or do you play it by ear?
MORE
Oh, Happy Day! 9 Steps to a More Joyful You
Reclaim and Recharge: How to Create Serenity in the City
Morning Rituals That Will Make You Feel More Awake
When you come home on Friday, first hide all evidence of work and other stressors. Put bills in a drawer, tuck your work bag and shoes in the cupboard and clear away other clutter. The goal is to be able to wake on Saturday morning to a house that feels weekend-ready, not with remnants of your undone work projects and to-do lists lying about.
Next, think of all of the things you would like to do over the weekend. Consider both the ‘have-to-dos,’ like events you are committed to attending, and basic chores that need doing, as well as ‘want-to-dos,’ like home projects, fun outings, hobbies and treats. It’s really easy to overestimate what can be accomplished in a single weekend – so weed out some items from your list now.