Are you ready to plan the ultimate self care weekend? Everything that makes your heart smile will top the ultimate self-care weekend, I promise. We all need time to reflect, to reconnect with ourselves and others we’ve been too busy for.
When the weekend comes around, people usually sleep in, pig out, or party their life away from Friday until Sunday morning.
Well, I assure you that our self care weekend plans will be more intentional goal-friends.
Who says you can’t relax, rejuvenate your mental health, and have a blast at the same time?
Yes, you can do all of this and more within a 72-hour span.
Remember, every weekend starts at five o’clock on Friday. And if it doesn’t for my workaholics out there, it’s high time to tighten up those boundaries. This goes for my working and stay-at-home moms with kiddos too.
Self care weekends are all about you. Don’t be afraid to take up space and carve out time for your personal enjoyment.
When should you take a break for self-care?
While self-care routines should be a part of your daily life, there are a few telltale signs that will let you know it’s time for a self-care break.
- Mental and physical exhaustion
- Feeling fatigue, cold and flu-like symptoms, or a weakened immune system
- Boredom, sadness, or lack of excitement for normal activities; temporary bouts of depression
- Lack of patience or short-tempered
- Increased levels of stress and frequent worrying
Have you ever been going through the motions of life and feel as though you’re on this hamster wheel you can’t seem to get off of?
This is where self care planning comes into play. Sometimes, we have to decide to leap off the hamster wheel ourselves. I know that doesn’t sound very profound, but so many of us make the mistake of allowing life to take the reins…when it should be the other way around.
Take control back over your life and be intentional about experiencing joy. Whether it’s tucking your kids in bed at night or reading a story to them or yourself.
Maybe it’s taking long walks in the afternoon and listening to nature’s tunes. Activities that take your mind off unfortunate circumstances may include dancing, volunteering, or crafting. Life can be hard to maneuver, especially if you’re dealing with grief, financial insecurities, or health issues beyond your control.
When you’re curating your weekend self care ideas, there are five important things to keep in mind.
- Your environment
- Your atmosphere
- Your social group
- Your mindset
- Your boundaries
All five things play a significant role in the successful outcome of a self care weekend.
Environment
Some of us need a break from work, school, or even our homes. You need to frequent safe spaces during your self care weekend. Think about the places that make you happy. It could be a local park, an old neighborhood, a quaint coffee shop, or a library. Visit places where you feel at peace with little to no distractions.
If you can plan a self care weekend getaway, that’s even better. There are resorts and hotels that specialize in staycations right in your hometown. Some even offer pampering services, which may include massages, hot yoga, self-care baths, and events you can attend as well.
Atmosphere
The fewer distractions, the better. Your atmosphere can be pleasant no matter where you are. Some people use diffuser oils or natural candles to help them calm down. The aromas help with relaxation and it improves their mood.
Soft music or quiet, still moments may allow them to center themselves and block out all the noise. Sometimes, a change in atmosphere helps with staying focused and recharging from a hectic week.
This can be a quick drive to the opposite side of town; a trip to the beach to listen to the waves crash against the shore; or viewing beautiful scenery that includes floral arrangements or abstract artwork.
The best atmosphere is subjective to you as an individual. Some people have the most fun when they’re surrounded by others or amongst enormous crowds. Or maybe your atmosphere of choice is seeing your favorite team play at a loud stadium or at a concert to watch your favorite artist perform? Your atmosphere is what you make of it.
Social Life
Make sure the friend or family group you select is one that’s supportive, positive, and kind. The perfect self care weekend is full of laughter and the creation of memories.
Surround yourself with people who fill your cup and welcome you into a healing, judgement free zone. If you prefer not to spend your self care weekend alone, use it as an opportunity to catch up with a loved one or to meet someone new.
Mindset
Give your mind a break. Break free from the mental chains of your job, household, relationships, and responsibilities.
Go into your self care weekend with a positive mindset that you will re-emerge renewed. Journaling or meditating can help with this. Think about what you hope to accomplish mentally and physically.
Is your body suffering from stiff joints, chronic aches, and pain? Do you find it difficult to focus on positive things? Are countless distractions preventing you from healing?
Your self care weekend activities should you help you gain a sense of clarity, but you have to be open to reframing your mindset. Self care is a process, but it can promote personal growth and evoke change in a weekend.
Train your mind to be open and willing to accept change.
Boundaries
If you don’t do anything else, set boundaries around your designated self care weekend and remain firm about them.
Your family, friends, and responsibilities at home and work will be right there waiting for you on the other side.
You deserve 2.5 days to yourself. Make sure you communicate this to those around you. If you’re going on a weekend getaway or simply cutting off access while locked in your room, tell your loved ones to stay away! In a nice way, of course.
You shouldn’t be the ‘go-to’ on self care weekends. You can be a supermom and friend on Monday. Seriously, people who love and support you will want you to take the time to enjoy yourself.
So, don’t take a peek at those work emails. Assign your chores to someone else or have a cleaning crew come in. Don’t lift a finger to cook, if you choose not to. Limit your phone calls to emergencies only. This weekend you don’t have time to lend an ear to listen to the problem of others.
You have our permission to go all out for your personal self care.
How do you spend a self-care weekend?
What fills your cup, goal friend? Take a few minutes to brainstorm all the things that make you happy. You can write a long list or categorize the activities you’d like to do that will allow you to decompress and de-stress.
Most of the self care weekend ideas I share below are easy to do at little to no cost to you.
Friday
- Cook an easy, one pot, comforting meal so you can have leftovers
- Drink some wine and have a light desert
- Watch a light-hearted comedy or romance movie
- Pick up a new read
- Take a therapeutic bath
- Go to bed early
Saturday
- Wake up early to stretch and soak up the sun with a warm drink of your choice
- Respond to a journal prompt by answering weekly reflection questions
- Go for a long walk without technological devices to fully unplug from the world
- Try a grounding activity in your backyard or at the park
- Eat a fun breakfast meal (I.E. fried chicken and waffles or breakfast tacos)
- Take a long, hot relaxing shower with soft music playing in the background
- Put on an outfit you feel confident in
- Pamper yourself with a manicure, pedicure, or massage
- Go on a brunch date with someone who wants to see you ‘win’
- Attend an outdoor event (if the weather is nice) – markets, festivals, sports games, or an outdoor bar
- Take a drive with the windows rolled down
- Create a nostalgic music playlist
- Attend a creative workshop – crafting, painting, candle making, floral arrangements, calligraphy, etc.
- Have a girl’s night out, go on a date night, or take yourself out on a solo date
Sunday
- Attend church or meditate to reflect and center yourself
- Go for a morning workout
- Take a midday couch nap
- Grab a quick, tasty lunch or fix a sandwich with chips at home
- Put fresh linens on your bed
- Deep clean (if this feels relaxing to you)
- Binge-watch a trendy TV show and grab your favorite snack
- Listen to a mental health podcast episode
- Perform a skincare routine
- Light candles around your home
- Write out weekly plans
- Eat dinner leftover from Friday (no cooking)
- Limit screen time and turn your phone off
- Put on a pair of cozy pajamas
- Read a book and have ice cream in bed
- Go to bed before 10 o’clock
How do you spend a lazy Sunday?
Lazy Sundays, much like self care Saturdays, are special and dear to my heart. But Sundays don’t get enough credit; it’s the first day of the week and often overlooked.
A lazy Sunday is the chance to disconnect from the world and connect with yourself. It’s a great day to spend on a hiking trail, out at the park, or at the beach.
But for all my homebodies out there, it’s perfectly fine to spend your Sunday indoors.
You can sleep in, enjoy breakfast in bed, and lounge around in your pajamas all day. If you need to play catch up on your favorite TV shows or rent a movie, it’s the perfect time to do so.
Indulging in lazy Sundays requires you to keep your schedule open to focus on you. I use my Sundays to watch Lifetime Movie Network, spend quality time with family, and complete my haircare routine, and whatever else pops up for the day.
What’s great about lazy Sundays is that you don’t need a plan in place. Treat Sundays like a ‘free for all’ where you can be present in any activity that you choose. It’s a day to ‘take it easy’; where you won’t feel guilty for taking a breather to stop and smell the roses.
Sunday is my favorite day of the week, because there aren’t any expectations and very few obligations. In case you don’t know where to start, keep a few things in mind once Sunday rolls around.
- Doing absolutely ‘nothing’ is an activity
- Take comfort in silence
- It’s okay to say ‘no’
- Disconnect from technology often
- Put your needs first
How do I create a self-care checklist?
When creating a self-care checklist, think of your personal needs and daily productivity. Your self-care checklist will go hand in hand with your weekly schedule.
Try developing a self-care checklist from scratch by categorizing your daily activities.
- Work
- Leisure
- Personal
- Fitness
- Mental Health
- Spirituality
I’ve listed a few ideas above to get you started. Refer to my self-care checklist below for an example!
Self care checklist
Work
- Use focus sprints to work on 2 large projects and 3 minor tasks per day
- Stop working promptly at 4:45pm
Leisure
- Read a book
- Go for a bike ride
- Spend quality time with a family member or close friend
Personal
- Schedule a doctor’s appointment
- Balance bank account and review monthly budget
- Polish your nails
Fitness
- Stretch for 20 minutes every morning
- Drink 1 gallon of water daily
- Go for a 30-minute walk at lunchtime
Mental Health
- No screen time between 9pm – 10am
- Recite affirmations and respond to a journal entry
- Practice yoga twice a week
- Attend therapy sessions
Spirituality
- Attend weekly bible class
- Read the scriptures from Sunday service
- Give back your time through volunteering
Your personal checklist will look totally different, and that’s okay!
Discover ways to enjoy your self care weekend without interruption. Follow a checklist to keep you on track or download the daily routine printable to incorporate self care into your everyday life.
I teach entrepreneurs how to simplify their life and business with less + own their time and maximize productivity towards their personal and monetary goals.
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