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Don’t you just love Friday’s? Especially when it is the end of your work week.
You head home with plans of how your weekend will be and are excited to get a little off time for a couple of days.
Saturday dawns and your to-do list is longer than you are tall. You hit the floor running and before you know it, Sunday night has arrived.
You’re tired, frustrated and not ready for Monday or the week ahead.
What do your weekends look like?
Do you save your weekend for grocery shopping, house cleaning, laundry, meal-prepping, yard work, and more?
Most of us are guilty of trying to cram everything we can into a two-day weekend. From chores to entertaining, there are never enough hours between Friday evening to Sunday bedtime. You fall into bed on Sunday night exhausted and wake up on Monday morning ready to do it all over again.
What would your week look like if you developed a few healthy weekend rituals that would have you feeling energized and focused for the week ahead?
I struggled with overloaded weekends for years. Wishing Monday morning was far-far away so that I could complete my weekend tasks. It came to a point that I knew I had to make a change and get control of my weekends so that I could begin my week well.
Reflecting on a month’s worth of weekends, I saw how I was neglecting myself and how this neglect affected my overall health and well-being.
Who wants to show up on Monday morning irritable and tired?
Today, my weekends do not control me. I have developed what I call “weekend rituals” that allow me to take care of myself, while accomplishing any tasks that need to be taken care of.
Now, Monday mornings are calm, and I am energized and focused for the week ahead.
Here are three weekend rituals that help me get ready for the week. My focus is on caring for myself in three areas of my life: self-care, healthy habits, and getting organized for the week ahead. Try them for yourself, adding your own flare to each one.
Take time for you
Self-care is an important part of living a healthier life. Taking time to pamper yourself throughout the week helps you release stress and frustration. Start your weekend with a self-care ritual. Choose one ritual for each day. Friday evening, have a bubble bath with a fragrant candle or diffuser filling your bathroom with a relaxing scent. On Saturday, have lunch with a friend, go for a walk, or just sit on the porch for a while. Sunday, take time to meditate to get yourself oriented for the week ahead. Your goal is to love on you through the weekend.
Here is a free download to help you get started:
Self-Care Rituals to Soothe Your Soul
Make your health a priority
During the week you exercise, eat healthy, drink your water, and then the weekend arrives, and you forget to keep your health a priority. Your to-do list is waiting for you when you wake up on Saturday morning and you may feel that there is no time to exercise or eat healthy.
You can keep your health a priority without spending hours exercising or skipping a fun meal with your friends. Develop a weekend ritual to help you with your health goals. Take ten minutes to exercise, eat a healthy salad before going out with friends. Drink plenty of water during the day.
Ease into your week
What are your Monday mornings like? Hectic or Calm?
Creating a Sunday ritual where you get organized for the week ahead allows you to begin your week with a sense of calm. Take time to organize your wardrobe for the week. Check your calendar to be prepared for upcoming obligations. Meal prep for easy weeknight meals. Develop a ritual for your Sunday evening that helps you ease into your week.
Weekends are great for slowing down and enjoying life, especially when you learn to take care of yourself. Use these weekend rituals to help you develop your own rituals to feel a greater sense of purpose and peace. Healthy habits are for each day of the week, helping you become healthier every day. Take time today to develop your weekend ritual to begin your week well.
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