5 Tips To Appreciate Every Moment and Create That "Weekend" Feeling (Even In Quarantine)
Our Guest Editor Olivia Siebel
In the space between walking to your car from work, you think of all the things you can cram into the space of your weekend; that party, a beach day, that book you started last month, that new movie that just came out, that new restaurant that just opened... ‘Weekends’, most people’s favorite word, most peoples word to stimulate freedom and adventure. However, hearing ‘Isolation,’ ‘Quarantine’ at the end of your Friday, whether working or not, doesn’t really stimulate the same feelings right?
That ‘weekend feeling’ creates a couple of days of time and space where you feel like you’ve had a relaxing and fun weekend and could easily return back to your Monday job feeling refreshed, inspired, and ready to tackle the week ahead.
We are all so wonderfully individual, so naturally, our ideas of a great weekend and what we fill it with will all be so vastly different. However, the common thread with us all is a need to feel refreshed and ready for your week ahead. So here are our top 5 tips to make it feel like the weekend in isolation.
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Tip No.1 Bring the Party Online
Grab a wine, some cheese, and crackers or even a pizza and take the party online. If you haven’t heard of a house party or zoom, jump on your phone and download them now so you can party later.
Being able to have almost all the elements of the party is the next best thing; seeing all your friends happy faces at once with a glass of wine and mouth full of food, after all, what’s a party without friends? Bring the conversations, laughs, and good times, catch up on each other’s lives and switch off the worries like you would on a Saturday night catch up dinner.
Tip No. 2 Slow Down
On the flip side, make sure you take some time for yourself. Now I know what you’re thinking, “slow down”? That’s all I’ve been doing in the house. If you have been binging a Netflix series, working out three times a day, or filling your mind with a constant stream of news, Instagram or media, then your brain hasn’t properly switched off.
If you have space to sit outside, leave the phone inside, along with all those anxious thoughts. Take a journal, book, or some headphones (or whatever helps you switch off) and just look up into the sky, if you can and the beaches are open where you live, simply walk and watch creation.
I promise the slow-moving pace and sounds of nature will make you feel at ease and not just forget your problems for a little while, but hopefully help to put them into perspective. Filling your weekend with a delicate balance of communication and slowing down is always a recipe for feeling refreshed and inspired.
Tip No. 3 Master Chef
Recreate your favorite meal from the closed down restaurant you love. Craving that gnocchi from your favorite Italian restaurant? Or perhaps a burger and chips? Cooking at home can turn into one of those mundane things that we do on the fly. We grab whatever is quick, easy, and usually something we know how to do, but weekends are for splurging out on that meal or that takeaway we wouldn’t normally cook at home.
Read more: Keeping It Fresh! Boost Your Body with Bioflavonoids.
Tip No. 4 Movie Date Night
Even if you are single, this one’s important too. Date night at home can be kind of hard, but the key is getting all those extra elements to really make it feel like a date. For example, if dates at the movies are your thing, get some popcorn, set up your lounge space, and make it as dark as you can. Set out your drinks and snacks before the movie starts, and turn off your phone so you can really settle in and watch a movie as though it were the big screen.
Single and ready to mingle? Mingle amongst some soapy water and a hot bath, grab at tea, hot chocolate, or wine (whatever your flavor) set up a chair with a laptop and soak in your favorite Romantic Comedy from the comfort of your bath. Why not even combine tip 3 and 4, dinner and movie date night. If you do though, make sure you don’t start the movie until your food is finished, talking and chatting over a shared meal is one of the best things about a date night out of isolation.
Tip No. 5 Treat Yourself
For most people, the weekend is the only time to get to the shops, whether you have money in your pocket to burn or you prefer wandering around and window-shopping.
Take an hour or so and jump online to shop, even if it’s just being inspired by the designer’s new collections. During this time of uncertainty, why not do some research and buy local. This kind of buying brightens your life and simultaneously someone else’s by supporting them. Such as handmade pieces, artwork or other items to brighten your home, especially as we are spending so much more time here now.
What better way to buy yourself something you need than by supporting small businesses and local brands who might be doing it a little tough at the moment; it’s a win for everybody. The same goes for your local community if you have shops or cafes that are still open or doing takeaway, why not make a trip of it or walk down to get a takeaway coffee/bakery treat.
Remember that these times won’t last forever, so why not have a little fun, mix up the routine as you keep in touch with friends, stay inspired and keep your focus on what matters in your life. So there you have it, I hope that no matter your personality, your “normal” weekend activities or your situation that you can emerge Monday morning feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, filled with creativity, inspiration, and love for life.