After a tiring winter I’ve been really excited for the spring. I’ve been in need of happy, and I’ve taken to kind of trying to wring it out of every day- so I thought that I might share a few things that have been working for me that might fit into your weekend plans…
1. Make the first move. There is no faster way to feel loved than to be someone who gives their love out freely. Throughout the week I make a point of sending my family and friends little e-mails and text messages that remind them that they mean a lot to me, and their responses always make my day better too.
2. Go on a retreat. I tend to be overly plugged in and live a little in my head, so about once a month I declare the weekend to be a Homebody Retreat. For me that means staying in, reading books, checking my e-mail only once a day, and making things with my hands. It’s my way of making sure I’m getting what I need. A retreat can be a weekend framed all around sports, being out with friends, or volunteering- but setting aside big chunks of time to put into what you love is priceless.
3. Take yourself on a date. Have lunch alone, hit a matinee, or just pop some tea in a thermos, grab a book and find a sunbeam out in the world. Quiet time is wonderful for recharging your batteries.
4. Make a finished product. One thing I miss about working in theatre is having a Big Finished Product every few months, complete with opening night party and applause. In most modern jobs you get to push away at corners of things, but a finished product is not part of the equation. Finished doesn’t even really apply to blogging! For me, reading, photography, and sewing are ways I can look at something and feel proud of the end result. Why not do some yard work or cook a big meal? Finishing something always gives me a boost of satisfaction.
5. Build a nest. Grab your favourite funny movie, some snacks, and a friend (or puppy), and plunk down on the couch or in a cozy corner….with the comforter off your bed. I do this all the time, and something about wrestling with a huge giant blanket just makes the relaxing better. Doing this first thing on a lazy Sunday is a delicious and decadent way to wake up.
Have a wonderful weekend!
(& if you feel like exploring, see my older simple happy posts here & here)
ps – I know I’ve been short on my wordier posts lately (my introversion comes and goes) but I have some more fun stuff coming next week including a little video blog I think you’ll be quite amused by =)
{ 46 comments… read them below or add one }
I have to confess… instead of “hit a matinee” I read it as “hit a manatee”. lol I had to pause & wonder if that was a figure of speech or what it could possibly mean. It seemed a little out of character, but it turns out I’m just illiterate. :)
.-= Lauren´s last blog ..Week 14 =-.
LOL No! Manatee’s are your friend Lauren! And maybe a little more coffee would be too =)
I love the absolute simplicity of your happiness. I would absolutely love to have a weekend free of plans where I can curl up with a good book and a warm cup of tea.
I like the idea of making a finished product. I completely agree — truly finishing something is a great feeling.
.-= Ally´s last blog ..This or That? Warm Weather Edition =-.
I love simple happiness! I can related to every single item on your list. After spending 16 hours traveling to different destinations (in two completely different directions) last weekend, I am so ready to be a homebody this weekend. Thankfully its going to include sleeping in, a bonfire with dear friends (as long as the weather holds out), and a party with my best friends family to help celebrate her dad’s 60th birthday. I cannot wait. I hope you have a great weekend too, dear!
I do love your simple happy posts.
They make me simply happy.
.-= Ashley´s last blog ..Happy…Tuesday =-.
As soon as finals and papers are done, I’m enjoying an entire weekend as a retreat and I’ll be sure to take some of these fabulous suggestions in mind. (Seriously, just reading them made me feel more relaxed.)
You always have the best ideas.
I’m also trying really hard not to leave work to go home and grab my comforter. Imagine how much easier a work day would be with a comforter wrapped around you!?
.-= Nora´s last blog ..Take a Knee =-.
#4 is the story of my life. Science is never ever really finished, so I tend to seek out other things that I actually really can finish. Thank goodness.
.-= Bridget´s last blog ..Gustavo =-.
Really really like this post. Completely agree with all of these things, I just need to remember to do them more often!
.-= L.C.T.´s last blog ..Sneeze =-.
Q weekend retreat would be FANTASTIC! I don’t think I’ve one of those since before I got married …
This is a great post! You’re right, there is nothing quite like creating a finished product! Working on and creating a website along with marketing copy from scratch is one of the things that made me fall in love with my job last summer. I hope more projects that are able to become a BIG FINISHED PROJECT in my work-life come along but why not make them in my homelife too?
You’re so smart, Kyla ;)
You are so inspiring. This is just what I needed to read today, going into the weekend after a crazy week. :D
You never cease to be adorable, do you?
I love the finished product suggestion, personally. Baking, cooking, and sewing are TOTALLY my ways to do this. Even cleaning! When I look at a pile of coffee sleeves, a clean kitchen, or a big bowl of stir-fry, I feel accomplished. And the process of getting there is a stress-relief for me. I love, love, LOVE it.
.-= OurLittleAshley´s last blog ..Details, Follow Up, Ultrasounds, and the Awfully Scary Genetic Counselor. =-.
I can’t wait for classes to be over, so I can just enjoy simple things again. It seems like I haven’t had much of those lately.
.-= Stefanie´s last blog ..This summer is for… =-.
I love this! B and I only get 4 days off a month together, and 2 of them are this weekend. They are usually packed with family, friends, and a long to-do list. This weekend, we have absolutely nothing planned and we’re both so excited!
I’m so with you on having a finished product & making the first move. A good baking project & a “love bomb” of sending a load of cards to good friends usually accomplishes both. I love that this post reminds me to be happy in the simplest things. You’re always so lovely, miss.
I love the make the first move rule. It’s also my first rule of friending… Everyone wants to feel loved, or like someone wants to be their friend. It’s so flattering! And then the affection is returned ten-fold! (I blogged about making the first move with old friends recently: http://mwfseekingbff.com/2010/04/07/i-think-youre-swell/)
Also, I long to make a date with myself. I haven’t had a chance to do that in a bit and its just what I need. Thanks for the reminder! It really is the perfect happiness recharge.
Enjoy your weekend!
.-= Rachel @ MWF Seeking BFF´s last blog ..Famous Friendships: Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff =-.
The idea of a finished product really appeals to me. I tend to load up my schedule with tasks and projects and favours and goals and I always end up clawing my way through piles of half-finished work. It is exhausting.
.-= hillary´s last blog ..Turn Away While I Celebrate Will You Tolerate While I Waste The Day Away? =-.
I’m not going to lie. I’m with Lauren and first read “manatee.” But then again I only got 3 and a half hours of sleep last night. Anyway great blog. Definitely feeling like “building a nest” for the rest of the day
.-= Ashley´s last blog ..7 Quick Takes (7) =-.
What a fantastic list!!! I love the ideas of a finished project, a self date and building a nest.
I have really been into forts lately and I think me and my roommates might commemorate our last night together in a big living room fort. Well, thats what I hope atleast.
:)
I read hit a manatee as well. And my first thoughts on that were “where do you even find one?” and “hitting one just seems pointless since I doubt they’ll feel it”. Apparently it’s a strange Friday.
I love curling up with my comforter and some pillows on my stair landing. And it usually means lots of puppy attacks and snuggles. I don’t do it enough, but this is one plan I intend on making for this weekend. :-)
:) love this
.-= Moorea Seal´s last blog ..Adventure! =-.
Very sweet list, I agree – go outside and find some sun! If it existed. Vancouver is very grey as of late and I’m hoping for a bit of warmth this weekend!
.-= Margarita´s last blog ..Placki z jabłkam; a recipe from my mother =-.
You’re so wonderful! I used your first tip and it made my day happier!
.-= michelle woo´s last blog ..Camera Fright =-.
Love. This.
Nice work :)
I hope you have a good weekend! We usually do movie nights on Fridays…a great way to unwind from the week. It’s nice to sometime not sleep in so we can enjoy more time out of the weekends since it’s only 2 days!
.-= steph anne´s last blog ..Mini-Vacations But No Honeymoon Yet =-.
All great advice. I had lots of ‘retreat’ time when I was between jobs. I would brew a pot of coffee and curl up on my reading chair. I avoided phone calls & text messages during that time. It was fabulous and really restorative for me.
I am so ready for spring and we have been blessed with basically perfect weather that makes me remember why I live in this part of the country. :)
.-= Lisa from Lisa’s Yarns´s last blog ..The Ex Files =-.
Ah this list sounds so magical. Doing everything on this list for a whole weekend would be incredible. I definitely plan on having some serious ‘me’ hang out time for the next few days, and I can’t wait!
.-= Awmb´s last blog ..Inspiration, Take Two. =-.
I love your list… I know I don’t comment as often as I should, but you inspire me in so many ways. :)
.-= Shop Girl*´s last blog ..Parcel* =-.
I always love your posts like this, thanks for always keeping everything in perspective. :)
.-= Janie´s last blog ..Things I Love Thursday =-.
I love that you make nests too!
Every so often -moreso in winter, James and I will drag all the pillows and blankets off our bed and the spare bed and build a nest on the floor of the living room. Then we make popcorn and snuggle in for movie nights etc.
Best thing ever.
Also, in Australia they call comforters “Doonas”. No one knows what I mean when I say comforter. haha
Lol. I know what a comforter is!!! But only from watching Nate Berkus (my love) on Oprah! ha ha.
.-= SARAH ´s last blog ..Setbacks and spontaneity =-.
I love taking myself out on dates with a good book–it’s bliss, really, after working from home with the same person 24/7!
.-= Her´s last blog ..Her Cozy Swap is ending =-.
Love those tips! Especially the send your family and friends little reminders of the fact that you love them – I think I’ll go for that!
.-= Bitter Chocolate´s last blog ..the secret diary of a confused girl =-.
Great tips. Might just make use of those this summer.
.-= Karen´s last blog ..Faking it? =-.
These are all really great tips! I also love burying myself in a giant comforter & snuggling up with a good book or a movie/show on my lap-top.
.-= Skinny Dip´s last blog ..Surfer Chic =-.
This post makes me so happy. For you. For the spring. For this weekend.
I hope you’re having a glorious one, friend!
.-= E.P.´s last blog ..Grandmothers know best =-.
I am sooooo building my nest this morning. It’s raining here and so snuggly and nice in bed. Love this list of things for the weekend. It’s day 2 of a 3day weekend here so woo hoo. I’m trying to get back into Eclipse. Can somebody mind my toddler……….?
.-= SARAH ´s last blog ..Setbacks and spontaneity =-.
I love your blog, it always gives me motivation to make my life a little better here and a little more enjoyable there. Keep going, you are great :)
Zelde
.-= Zelde´s last blog ..more lovely paper =-.
Love the list! I’m big about having some alone time and recharging my batteries at the movie theater. It’s so nice to just have quiet (minus the movie) and be in peace.
I love these. I try to schedule dates with myself every once in awhile – I LOVE going to the movies alone, or reading in the tulip garden at the hotel next door to my apartment. It’s the little things. :)
.-= Suburban Sweetheart´s last blog ..I Can Make It On My Own, But My Heart Is In Ohio =-.
I wanted to leave a longer post about how this made me feel, etc… but instead I am just going to say “thank you” for this.
.-= abby´s last blog ..i’d like to say… =-.
I adore your suggestion of taking yourself out on a date. I may very well do that in the near future.
Best,
Hannah Katy
I’m glad that I am not the only one who likes to take myself on a date. I actually like going to a matinee on my own. There is something so liberating about watching a movie by yourself.
I’m still trying to tackle the eating lunch/dinner on my own but I haven’t been successful yet. One day…
.-= Leesh´s last blog ..Another Giveaway at Post Grad Hair Cut =-.
This is good. I like the idea of taking mini retreats, even if you just have a weekend. Head into a coffee shop and just get lost and relax for a few hrs.
.-= sassy molassy´s last blog ..Are you a desk eater or a lunch break taker? =-.
I’m definitely planning on unplugging soon. At work, I’m on the computer, and I’ve been doing my online school work while at home … Since I’m officially done with school, I’m looking forward to a weekend of being away from the internet.
Your Sundays sound cozy!
.-= Megan´s last blog ..Firefly =-.