I was taking a look at my calendar this weekend, and it dawned on me that my weekends have changed drastically over the years. As a kid, my weekends were spent schlepping around the state of Florida for my sister’s soccer tournaments. Then in high school, I had an insane amount of homework on top of crew practices and regattas. Then college was mostly spent either at the boathouse, at an out of state regatta, or in the library trying to finish group projects before the week started back up again. When I graduated college, I naively thought I’d have luxurious weekends, and I kind of did. I got to do a couple of fun things with friends, but I also had a lot of work since I was balancing two jobs.
Now… I try my best to keep a clear calendar. I might have one or two things socially to do, but my ideal weekend day is just spent relaxing and recovering from the past week for the following week.
If I’m feeling ambitious, my friends and I will do a fun workout (like yoga or Barre) and then grab or make breakfast together. Even though I’m technically “doing” something, we often text each other last minute to make plans or see if anyone is up for a class or not. We have a great time, and it’s relaxing– plus, I leave the class feeling like I’ve accomplished something..
At some point, I love to take the dogs out to a park or the beach for an extended amount of time with nowhere to be. On a perfect day, it’s warm and not rainy, haha.
Then honestly? I like to just hang out and relax by watching movies or reading a book.
I don’t get a perfectly schedule-free weekend often, but I do try to keep Sundays as clear as possible. Slow Sundays are as dreamy as it gets for me. I’m talking multiple cups of coffee, no makeup, and wearing pajamas for as long as I can.
There is one thing that absolutely does not make it into my weekends. I made one game-changing decision about a year ago that made weekends so. much. better. (Actually can’t remember when it officially happened, but I know it’s been longer than a year.) I made the decision to not email on Saturday or Sunday. Yes, I sometimes work on the weekend, and yes, I can always technically find more work to do since I work for myself/at home. But I found that just because I could answer an email on the weekend, doesn’t mean that I should. So I stay away from the inbox, and it made a huge difference in me being able to enjoy the two days. There’s nothing that can’t wait until Monday morning. I wish I had been firm about this sooner.
What does your ideal weekend look like?
My ideal weekend is just staying home and chilling after a long work week. There’s nothing better than resting and TV!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
I love this! My ideal weekend is definitely full of activities – I’ve found that, especially after finishing University, I just can’t stay relaxing in one place for too long! I always end up filling any spare time that I do have with activities that I didn’t get done/get to do during the week, haha!
I hope you have the most wonderful weekend Carly!
Michael
https://www.mileinmyglasses.co.uk
I think it’s so great that you try to tske weekends off. It is so important to take a break and just unwind. I try to do the same thing and Sundays are also usually my “lazy” day. Such a great way to prepare for the week ahead by relaxing and taking a little time for yourself!
Taylor | http://www.livingtaylored.com
Quiet weekends are my absolute favourite, even though I don’t get them quite as often as I would like because I work 2 jobs. I love the idea of doing a class with my friends on a weekend, sounds like such a great way to combine 2 activities I love
– Natalie
http://www.workovereasy.com
I hate weekends with no scheduled activities I like to be doing lots of things. Ideally I would be on an adventure like hiking, backpacking, learning something new. I hate laying around all day to me it feels so wasteful when I have so many things I want to see and do!
-Kirsten // http://www.porkandcookies.com
I like having things to do, but I’ve found that since I graduated college and my schedule has gone from being able to take breaks in the day to a full time 9-5 schedule that I LOVE just hanging out and watching TV most weekends! So funny how it can change so quickly.
Tori
I try to keep my weekends as free as possible, too! Since I’m balancing blogging with my full time job, I usually need it to prep the blog for the week ahead!
http://www.mollyonthemoveblog.com
I love this! My high school schedule doesn’t exactly allow me to do nothing on the weekends but I love taking the time to go to a barre class or two on the weekend!
xoxo,
Katie
chicincarolina.blogspot.com
The weekends are definitely a time for me to recharge. If I have Saturday and Sunday off I will try to get in brunch or shopping with my gal gang. Playing with my dogs, hanging out with my husband and family, or trying a new brunch spot is my favorite way to spend the weekend. Definitely no emails!
This is way too true, weekends definitely change as we go through seasons of life! As a teacher, I’m often trying to do something fun on the weekend with a side of lesson plans and grading. I’m with you in trying to stay away from email…it’s a piece of stress we can avoid! Happy weekend!
Caitlin
I love a weekend that’s jam packed with fun activities, but that can often make me exhausted for the start of my week. I love the idea of taking a fun workout class. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of Barre, I’ll have to look into it!
xoxo,
Abigail
http://www.belleofthebrier.com/
I have come to appreciate more weekends more and more over the years. Now that I’m back to being a full-time student and also working, I really try to block out some time to just do nothing. I need to take a page out of your book and try to avoid email over the weekends, at least for just one day.
-Helen
http://www.sweethelengrace.com
My ideal weekend looks like slow, early mornings, making a hearty breakfast, reading a good book, getting some productivity on, walking outside, seeing people, doing things, then in the evenings, go back to where I started with a hearty dinner and a good book before bed 🙂 -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s
Good for you! My husband and I had lots of lazy weekends (10 years) before we added kids to the mix. It is so important to take time for you, doing whatever makes your soul happy & rejuvenated. Kudos to you for not checking email on weekends-I think the break is good for everyone! Love checking out your fun, preppy style. Your posts make me smile!
If I had my way, I wouldn’t even leave the house over the weekend until I have to go back to work on Monday! I love spending time at home on weekends, enjoying slow morning and doing all the domestic chores that I ignore for a week, lying on bed watching all the thrash tv, and in the afternoon, reading a book or do some people-watching from our balcony
This post really resonates with me (especially the multiple cups of coffee part!) I’m a student and I really miss my slow Saturday and Sunday mornings simply designated for reading and enjoying my breakfast.
I couldn’t agree more about Sundays! They are my favorite time of the week to allow for downtime!
Love relaxing weekends!!! Saturdays have always been a favorite day of mine!!! I understand completely how the weekends have differed from elementary school to college. When I was younger I used to have my weekends filled up with competitive cheerleading competitions. Oh how time has changed. Now I spend every Saturday with my boyfriend because it’s the only day we have off together during the whole week. We normally plan adventurous activities outside like hiking or surfing/paddleboarding. I try to check out new fun things around town. We really want to go strawberry picking soon! For my birthday I want to do a fun ropes course! Sundays I love relaxing after church, running errands, shopping, cooking and hanging out with my family. -Katie
http://www.katieskronicles.org
Hi Carly!
Just wanted to reach out because I noticed a couple of tiny typos in this post – in the last paragraph in the third-to-last sentence, there’s a missplaced “I” – it reads “that I just because I.”
Additionally, somehow part of your paragraph about taking the dogs to the park got duplicated as the last sentence in the paragraph above it.
I hope you don’t mind the edits! I was an English major in undergrad (Emory), so when I’m reading something and there’s some sort of error, it breaks up the flow. I love reading/writing and I know I’d appreciate it if someone let me know when I’d mistyped so I could correct it. I hope you’re of the same mind and don’t find this offensive : )
Since I graduated, my weekends have been pretty chill like the ones you’re describing. Life was so hectic in college that it’s really nice to have the time to slow down a bit. Based on my future plans, I know that this will change so I’m enjoying the slow paced weekends while I can!
Briana
http://www.youngsophisticate.com
Your ideal weekend sounds a lot like mine – although I have to admit I don’t squeeze a workout in as much as I’d like! Sometimes the ability to sleep tempts me just a little too much!
I cherish my Sunday evenings! At 5pm everything stops and it is all about me time… wine, Apple TV and a long bath.
You’ve got the right idea!
Mallory
http://www.badwolfbrunch.com
My ideal weekend is very much the same! Since I am introverted, I use my weekends to relax and recharge my batteries. I usually try to do my cleaning and groceries on Saturday. And then on Sunday I hang out with my fiancé since we do not live together.
xo, Taylor
http://www.taylorashleyblog.com