The Trap of Living for the Weekend
It’s easy to fall into the habit of living for the weekend—especially when you’re caught up in the corporate grind. I remember starting out in my career—a single 20-something-year-old who was dead set on climbing the corporate ladder! And I did. Many times, I earned that next promotion, a fancier title, and of course… more work.
Don’t get me wrong—having ambition and striving for success in the workplace is great. It taught me a lot about discipline, drive, and resilience. But I’m no longer in that place in my life. I used to be so heads-down on my work (which, to be fair, has paid off—I’ve now found myself in a comfortable position financially and in a role that I genuinely enjoy). Yet, the Monday-through-Friday grind was no joke, and I spent so much time looking forward to the weekend, when I could finally do things that filled my cup.
However, after getting married and especially once I started having kids, I realized something: I wasn’t actually getting more time back as my career grew. I was getting less and less time to enjoy life outside of work. It hit me one day that I needed to stop saying, I can’t wait until Friday or I can’t wait until this weekend. Those phrases were keeping me in a cycle of waiting for joy instead of finding it in the present.
Takeaway:
Be mindful of the language you use about your time. Shift from “I can’t wait until…” to appreciating the present moment. This change in perspective can help you find joy in the now rather than constantly looking ahead.
Choosing Joy in the Present
So, I made a conscious decision to shift my mindset. I started challenging myself to focus on this day—this moment. I also became intentional about the way I spoke about my time. Instead of saying, I can’t wait for this day to be over when work was stressful, I reframed it: I can’t wait for this workday to be over—because life is still waiting for me after working hours.
That small shift changed everything. Life wasn’t just happening on weekends or during vacations. It was happening now, in between emails and homeschool planning and dinner prep. It made me realize: if I didn’t slow down enough to notice the good things today, I might miss out on a lifetime of them.
Takeaway:
Practice mindfulness by anchoring yourself in the present. Recognize and appreciate the small moments throughout your day, turning ordinary routines into opportunities for joy.
Embrace Spontaneity (even if on your own terms)
Sometimes, romanticizing life means embracing spontaneity. I’ll admit – this is amusing coming from me. Someone who wholeheartedly relates to the saying, “I love spontaneity, provided it is carefully planned”. But here and there, I challenge myself to put my inner planner aside – if I have an unexpectedly slow workday and the weather is beautiful, we’ll head to a local waterfall or a nearby park, then grab pizza at our favorite downtown spot.
Those little unplanned adventures have a way of imprinting themselves on your heart. They remind me that life doesn’t always have to be perfectly scheduled to be meaningful.
Takeaway:
Allow room in your schedule for spontaneous activities. Embracing unplanned moments can lead to some of the most cherished memories.
Finding Magic in Small Gestures
Romanticizing your life isn’t about grand vacations or Pinterest-perfect homes. It’s often found in the smallest, most thoughtful gestures. Like receiving a bag of moon pies from a friend—tied up in lace ribbon —just because she learned it’s my new favorite treat. Or taking the time to handwrite a letter to someone I love and sending it through the mail. In today’s fast-paced world, putting pen to paper feels almost sacred. It’s a small act of love that bridges miles and busy schedules.
Takeaway:
Engage in small acts of kindness, both giving and receiving. These gestures can create deep connections and bring unexpected joy to everyday life.
Tiny Changes That Elevate the Everyday
Sometimes the simplest things can instantly lift your day. For example, I recently bought a literary-themed mouse pad for my work setup. It’s a small thing, but it makes me happy every time I sit down at my desk. It reminds me that even “boring” tasks are still part of my story. Maybe for you, it’s something different:
- A new cozy lamp in your living room to make evenings feel warmer.
- A pretty coffee mug that makes your morning feel special. (One of my most treasured possessions is a mug I stumbled upon at Goodwill for just 50 cents! Adorned with a serene ocean scene and a solitary lighthouse, there’s something about its imagery that transports me-it evokes a sense of nostalgia and peace, grounding me in the present moment. I find myself reaching for it almost every Sunday morning!)
- Playing soul-stirring music while you clean the house to transform it into something beautiful.
Recently, I purchased a Pride and Prejudice-themed sticker pack from Amazon for less than four dollars. As an adult, I don’t exactly have sticker albums anymore—so they just sit on my desk. Yes, it adds a bit of clutter to my work desk but glancing at them during work connects me back to my love for literature and sparks joy throughout my day.
Even better? It became a funny inside joke with my kids. I told them to “leave my Mr. Darcy sticker alone!” Now they tease me about it all the time. Those tiny, silly moments have stitched themselves into the fabric of our family memories.
Takeaway:
Incorporate small, personal touches into your environment. These items can serve as daily reminders of your passions and bring a sense of comfort and joy.
Dreaming While Rooted in Today
Most of all, romanticizing your life means allowing yourself to keep dreaming. I dream about places I want to go, things I want to accomplish, and experiences I want to have with my family. But I no longer live only for the future. I anchor myself in today, too.
Dreaming adds color and dimension to life, but being present gives life its meaning.
Takeaway:
Balance your aspirations with present-moment awareness. Let your dreams inspire you, but don’t let them distract you from the beauty of today.
It’s the Little Things
The magic of life isn’t just in the big milestones—it’s in the tiny, intentional moments we create every day. It’s in lighting a candle before dinner. It’s in laughing about a sticker on your desk. It’s in pressing play on your favorite album while you fold laundry.
Life isn’t just something to survive—it’s something you can curate, moment by moment, with little touches of joy.
Takeaway:
Focus on creating and appreciating small, joyful rituals in your daily life. These moments, though seemingly minor, collectively contribute to a fulfilling and romanticized life.
What are some ways you romanticize your life?
What tiny act can you add to your day today to make it feel a little more beautiful?