A concept not unfamiliar to those of us that are hungry like the wolf.
But
for me, it's something more than the drudgery of Monday through
Friday. I feel like, for various reasons, the bulk of my life, MY
LIFE, is squeezed into the person that I let myself become from
Friday night to about mid-evening on Sunday. See, while I value,
appreciate, and enjoy my [Monday-Friday] job, I don't want that to be
what defines me. Something that adds to the greater definition of me?
Yes! Absolutely! But I don't want to be the kind of person who
tailors their life to accommodate what they need to do between 9 and
5...or in my case, 8 and 3.
So,
I present to you, my calamitous compadres, WEEKDAY (actually) LIVING,
some tricks and treats to help you teeter around hump day.
Make Something Out of Dinner!
-Planning
meals in advance can help you save $$$ as well as keep you organized and less stressed. Extra points if you can
somehow incorporate a crock-pot into the mix. (Working on that
myself!)
-Dine
with friends! I was a recent guest at a Wednesday night dinner
party. Nothing too crazy – we were out by nine, but it was
delightful! Sharing in the company of new friends and old helped me
to let go of the day's stressors and actually enjoy a Wednesday
night.
-Let
someone else do the cooking every now and then. Every Tuesday, my roommate and I
celebrate “take-out Tuesday,” which is every bit of what it
sounds like...we even take out the trash after dinner. We've gotten
into the habit of trying a new restaurant at least once or twice a
month...and typically having leftovers for the next day. Yes it is
a bit of a splurge, but it's a treat that puts Tuesday back in the
books as something other than Monday's sloppy seconds.
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| I vote to instate Take-Out All the Days Day. |
TREAT YO SELF!
-A
concept run rampant, but find a way to make it yours. Me? Whenever
Honest Tea's Oo-La-Long is on sale, I buy myself a bottle or
two, to be consumed patiently and only when I really need
it. If I know I'll have a long day at work, I'll grab a bottle in
addition to my typical water. If it was an unexpectedly long day,
I'll sip some with dinner. If tea isn't your thing, help yourself
to candy, ice cream, or yes, some light booze. Everything in moderation, we
know, keeps us healthy, but allowing yourself to indulge every now
and then keeps us happy -so moderate! Only allowing yourself these
treats when they're on sale is an instant way to keep yourself in
check. I promise, the universe will help you out on this one.
 |
| A mid-afternoon latte is nice too! |
-Get
a goddamn manicure every once in a while!
 |
| Gel polish-a splurge purchase that lasts THREE WEEKS. |
Create No-Frills Routines
-Meghan
is free on Monday nights? Then hang out on Monday nights! Grab a
mid-afternoon coffee. The Gym is especially empty on Tuesday
evenings? then go to the gym then! Find your peace but stick to it
at your own pace; enjoy it if you make it there / forgive yourself
if you don't!
-Put
FUN things, not just obligatory things, in your calendar. Chances
are, you're more likely to remember your karaoke date than your
gyno appointment...but putting both of those things in your planner
not only helps you stay on top of things, but it keeps you in
balance. (And props to you if you like going to the gyno.)
-If you HAVE to do any kind of drudgery at home; studying, paperwork, taxes, let yourself soften the blow. If you know me, you know I like to have a candle burning in all rooms at all times so that my entire apartment smells like a psychedelic garden by about 7pm. I've worked in homes where they have ambient music playing at all hours of the day - Pandora is a wonderful thing! And if you're working for long hours at a time, don't forget to give your body a break and stretch every 20ish minutes.
 |
| Three cheers for mood lighting! Shout out to IKEA for the lamp and plant life. |
Errands Are a Gateway Drug
-My
bank is across the street from Buffalo Exchange. As a treat for
finally going to the goddamn bank, I let myself take a quick peek
at the happenings of my favorite consignment shop. For me, once I
get home, it can be hard to motivate to get myself back out again,
even for something that I would enjoy doing, so I try to do it all
in one trip.
Text Your Weekend Friends!
-That
is, the friends that you don't get to see everyday. Make plans for
the weekend, yes, absolutely, but why not ask how they are? Share a
funny story? Connect instantly and almost effortlessly! Warm and
tinglies!
 |
| They are eagerly awaiting your reach. |
Break it up! Live your life! Enjoy your life! And keep your cute heels in sightline of your alarm clock -the weekend is coming, after all!
-A