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What is your Weekend Style?
What counts as a “weekend”? How can we slow down throughout our week? We are not made to work non-stop. Our bodies were created for rhythms of rest.
“Rest is the gift, not a reward. It's not a hobby that lazy people take advantage of. It is woven into the fabric of our very biology. The body is designed to rest. I don't have to earn that with my performance. Rest is not a byproduct of my success. It's a byproduct of my humanity. I don't have to get ahead to enjoy it or need it.” – Jon Acuff[1]
Let’s start by defining the word weekend as I plan to use it. For our purposes here, a weekend is not specific to Saturday and Sunday.
Here are my definitions:
weekend: (noun) one to two days off from your normal work and activities. A rest, a time to re-set. Time to slow down from the busy demands of jobs, careers, other people, and tasks.
These days can happen at any time in the week (preferably together).
What matters is that you are strategically choosing to take time off from your typical work and do activities that are calming and restorative. That might be an afternoon, a full day, or even 3 days in a row.
Take whatever you can get. Your body needs to move at a different pace and your mind needs a break from what you have been focused on during the rest of the week.
While we are talking about words, we should also define what I mean by rest.
rest: (noun) freedom from activity or labor, sleep, peace of mind or spirit. Something used for support. [2]
What day of the week makes sense to choose a time of rest and slowing down?
I challenge you to try it out this next week.
Amid the weekend, we all allow ourselves (and each other) some space. We have time to do what delights and replenishes us. We can let go of the need to keep going every single day without stopping.
We can take the time to:
go for a walk
do some journaling
have dinner with friends
read a book in a hammock
bake cookies or muffins
draw or play the piano
enjoy a night out
visit a bookstore or coffee shop
Take some time to think about including rest on your weekends and your days off. Make a list that is unique to your personality.
Check out my Weekend Style Quiz!
Fun weekend rest ideas for different personalities.
[ TikTok link ] [ Instagram Link ]
If you have a schedule that feels heavy and uncontrollable, I see you. Rest is something that we all desperately need. No matter how old we are or what job we have (or don’t have). No matter economic status, lack of vacation funds, or the demands from our work.
Stick around. 😉 I have much more to say (including a favorite metaphor) and some practical ideas you can try in your imperfect complicated life.
💙 - April
Why is it that when we make space to rest, other things fill it so quickly? Why does the guilt begin shouting at us? A personal story of trying to slow down.
[1] Start - Punch Fear in the Face, Escape Average, Do Work that Matters by Jon Acuff.
[2] Merriam Webster Online Dictionary - https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary (accessed 6/15/23) I liked this definition. I also like the unexpected definition from the noun form of rest. It made me think of a pillow or cushion for a tiered head.
