After spending so many years dedicating my weekends to homework, studying, and regattas in high school/college and then living in NYC and falling victim to the unhealthy “hustle,” I’ve taken weekends back. Seriously, long gone are the days where I considered the weekend just two more days to cram in more work. Part of me still feels guilty when I spend the weekend doing nothing, but I’ve learned to embrace it better. Sometimes I do have to dedicate a portion of a day to work, but it’s rare now. I’m usually pretty good about setting myself up for a “successful” weekend by doing extra prep the week before.
It took me a while to switch from the always-be-accomplishing-something mindset to it’s-okay-to-slow-down, but I’m so much healthier because of it. And while I’m technically working less, I feel happier and healthier without actually losing any output. I find myself better equipped to have a productive and motivated week when I spend two days resting, relaxing, stepping away from my phone.
Dating and living with someone who has a traditional Monday-Friday job helped me with this in a big way, especially when we were long-distance and would spend our weekends together. It forced me to get everything I needed done done before the end of the day Friday… and then I wouldn’t have to touch my laptop while we were together over the weekend. It forced me to come to terms with the fact that I didn’t HAVE to work on the weekends, and in fact, by taking Saturday and Sunday off, I was better off in general.
I do know that I could be doing “more.” I could have a newsletter. I could be doing more video content. I could be traveling more. I could be starting another business. I could be doing insert-a-million-things. I’ve been that person. But I’ve come to realize that what I do and how much I do doesn’t really change who I actually am. I’m OKAY with where I am in life and it’s OKAY to want to have a more relaxed pace. That won’t always be the case as I know life changes and circumstances change. But for right now. I’m good. And I love my quiet, low key weekends.
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I’m happy you’re able to find the balance. A lot of people get lost in the mix. Btw can you recommend any supplements for a 23 years old ?
Good for you! I have thought for years that we have become a culture that works 24/7 (and our health has suffered!), and despite the opportunities that technology provides, we would be better off if we took regular breaks. Great post! :))
It is great that you are able to enjoy your weekends & use the time to focus on yourself! That is definitely something that I want to work on over the course of this year – to stop feeling like I always have to be doing more and instead feel content & give myself more needed breaks.
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It’s so, so strange how you talk about this all the time. We get it: you’re self conscious about how little actual work you do. Most people who work on the weekends do so because they have to, not because they don’t know how to appreciate being low key and quiet. You have more low key downtime – every single day of the week – than almost any 30-something on the planet. While it’s dumbfounding how you manage to pull this off while making so much money, that’s great for you. You don’t need to constantly highlight your loose and low key work schedule – be self aware enough to understand how unique your ‘work’ is and how lucky you are. This whole ‘work/life balance’ advice thread of yours is so tone deaf. Most of the 16-25 yr olds who consume your content should probably work more, not less.
As a 43 year old reader who works as a
librarian (which requires some Saturdays) I read this post from a different perspective. It doesn’t matter what you do, how much you make, or how many hours a week you work. It’s important to take a break and most people have weekends. For those of us who work an “off” schedule it’s just as important to take time away from the job even if it’s on a weekday. I appreciate that Carly accepts that this can be hard in our culture yet she has embraced it fully. How wonderful to learn this early in life! It has nothing to do with her actual work.
I have a traditional Monday through Friday job and I appreciate this post. I used to do a lot of work on Sundays so I basically only had one weekend day to relax, but now I just fit all of that work into my usual work week. It’s taken a lot of discipline on my part because I can’t have as much fun time with coworkers when I’m at work, but ultimately I’m happier because I get the whole weekend to do what I want to do.
I second Lisa!
Lisa, if I didn’t know better I might think you’re deliberating misinterpreting Carly’s message here. I think you might be the one who’s tone deaf ha!
I so agree with making a conscious effort not to get hyped up into the ‘busy, busy, hustle’ mentality and focus on enjoying time with family and loved ones and in particular time alone to re-fill your cup so you’re ready for whatever life brings your way. We’re no use to anyone when we’re frazzled & overworked.
Lisa, calm down.
Oh my goodness, the leggings that you’re wearing are my absolute favorite leggings ever! I tried a lot of other leggings before I found the Salutation leggings from Athleta and I can never go back to anything else. The fit is just so good and the Powervita fabric feels amazing!
Love this post! I can totally relate to feeling guilty when I don’t do much over the weekend but if I’m being honest with myself, going full speed 24/7 just leaves me feeling burnt out.
My favorite thing to do is to do absolutely nothing on Sunday. I have a better week if I prepare on Sunday and relax!
Xo, Kelsey
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I love this post. I so agree with you that it’s important to take time off on the weekend to enjoy life and decompress.
Totally disagree with Lisa’s comment.
Yes yes yes love this post!
I’m so looking forward to this a bit more post-grad!! I’ll be teaching, so there might be the occasional weekend grading/lesson prep, but I’m determined to carve that time out of my week to really relax and enjoy life beyond work!
Love this post and it’s similar to where I’m at, too. People don’t understand how much work self-employed people do. They get to go to work and make a guaranteed paycheck while sole proprietors HAVE to hustle or they won’t make any money.
That means doing all your own marketing, book keeping, invoicing, etc. I am a freelance copywriter for marketing and ad agencies and one week I am SUPER busy and having the weekend to relax helps so much. I’ve been trying to honor the sabbath, something I never understood, and my husband and I had it “click” this weekend.
We realized how much we are still thinking or even stressing about work or how tired we are from a stressful day or week. God rested on the seventh day, so it makes sense we need to rest at least one day a week (or two!). Great post, Carly!