But how often do we have a weekend where we are free to do what we want – and not what we need to do? Think about it. You get home on a Friday night, sit down to have some dinner and then chill out for the rest of the evening. Then you get up the next day and there’s chores to do, errands to run and more of that kind of stuff that breaks up your weekend into smaller bits, never really getting a moment to revel in the time you have off. I think it’s high time we star to hack our weekend. And here’s how you can do it.
1. Don’t Come Home Right Away on Friday
Make Friday really busy. Go grocery shopping before you come home from work – even if that means that on Fridays you either eat a late dinner or go out to eat. Get the stuff out of the way that you know needs to be taken care of (and has no set time when you have to do so) before you settle in at home for the night. You’re giving yourself – and your weekend – a real headstart that way.
2. Make Friday Night Your Laundry Night
When you do get home, put some of the laundry in, preferably items that can sit overnight in the dryer just in case you either can’t – or don’t want to – get to them before bedtime. If it’s early enough, start with the clothes that you know you’ll see through to completion, but make towels and bedding the stuff you do last. You can also let some of the permanent press clothes hang dry (make sure they’re only slightly damp, though) overnight and let nature do its thing while you sleep.
3. Set Aside Time for Nothingness
If you have errands to run or appointments to take care of on Saturday or Sunday, limit the blocks of time you’re willing to commit to those. That may mean that mornings on both days are when you take care of any of that stuff that works for you (or your family, if you have one). Either way, schedule time blocks and stick to them for these kinds of things so that you can better revel in the nothingness your body and mind needs while you’re off work for a couple of days.
4. Map Out Chores During the Work Week
While Fridays are the days where you stay out to get certain things done, make the rest of your work week evenings the time when you get the chores around the house taken care of. Sure, things like mowing the lawn and gardening may not be practical for these moments, but cleaning the bathroom, vacuuming and indoor chores are more than possible tasks that you can do before hitting the sack on weekdays – rather than sitting in front of the television like a sack instead.
5. Get Out of Town
One of the best ways you can hack your weekend is to actually get out of town during it. That way you’re not distracted by what you’re normally surrounded by, but can be in an environment that will allow you to better enjoy the weekend. And it doesn’t have to be limited to summer activities, either. Any simple getaway can be handled with proper planning – land that planning can be done during those scheduled time blocks I mentioned earlier. Getting away while you can is a phenomenal way to prepare yourself for when you return to work on Monday. Unless you start your work week on a Sunday, that is. (Photo credit: Wood Chopper on the Stub via Shutterstock)
