“How My New Year’s Resolution Of Making Weekday Plans Has Become A Way Of Life”

My New Year’s resolution this year was simple: never live for the weekend. As a result, I’ve gone out of my way to schedule social hours, dates and escapades in all their post-work, afternoon glory. Several things have happened as a consequence: my weekends have become far more relaxed, my work days have felt far more bearable, my zest for life has multiplied, and, ultimately, I am now a firm believer in the weekday plan over the weekend. 

I’ve begun booking reservations on random Tuesdays, committing to cooking with friends on Wednesdays, and embracing the London going-out scene on Thursdays.

The result

Work has become less of a drain; it is an aspect of my life, a part of my day, not the entirety of it. Coming into the office — discussing plans or things to look forward to with my colleagues — is a pleasure. Being able to respond to the “What did you do last night?” question with a true story is entirely satisfying. It gives me an opportunity to recognise that I paid attention to myself outside of my home and my workplace, I carved out time for myself, for my loved ones. 

It gives me an opportunity to recognise that I paid attention to myself outside of my home and my workplace, I carved out time for myself, for my loved ones. 

Further, coming to work, and anticipating an endless day of being overworked and overtired, with the only thing to look forward to being going home? Grabbing a meal deal? Couldn’t be me. I will be going into that office, getting as much done as I can in the time allotted to me, grabbing my bag, touching up my makeup, and going to meet my girls for a drink if that is the last thing I do. We’ll debrief the day, complain about how busy we are, and sip at martinis like we have no commitments tomorrow. And yet, we’ll get up at 7 and do it all over again, with a different plan for after work, with a different memory to make, even for just an hour, we will still grate some vibrant zest to make our relentless lives more than worth living — exciting, stimulating, lively. 

The case of the weekend

With this, I have stopped putting such tremendous pressure on my weekends. To me, weekends are for recharging, they are for time alone, for errands run, and, perhaps, some dancing. Because of the fulfilment I get from my weeks, the pleasure and satisfaction I get from Wednesday night reservations, I am so willing to go do my shopping on Saturdays, read my book, have dinner in, or watch an episode of my show. Dining rooms are chaos on Friday nights anyway, why not try out the new spot when it’s a bit cooler, a bit anonymous, a bit free on OpenTable?

To me, weekends are for recharging, they are for time alone, for errands run, and, perhaps, some dancing.

I am laissez-faire on Friday nights, go with the flow, either stuck in a pub or at home with a movie. I’m boring, unplanned, comfortable and pleased; recharging from a demanding week of my own making — one-on-ones with old friends, last-minute after-work pints and exciting new restaurants — a demanding week, but one filled with memory and contentment. Looking ahead at another demanding week, I’ll see one that gets me excited to get out of bed, not because I’m ecstatic about work, but more so what lies beyond it, something sparkly and personal.