You know what I love about Friday? I love that even when it’s a chilly, gloomy, misty morning, it’s still Friday. It’s still the day that indicates a long week is coming to an end, and soon I’ll get to spend the next couple of days relaxing, writing, and convincing John that we should deep-fry something. It’s the day before Saturday, which is the purest, most wonderful day of the week of sleeping in and staying up late. Friday is the day I get to wear jeans to work. And the day I most look forward to.
But that’s what I also don’t like about Friday– the fact that so many of us are living for the weekend, and that, too often, we treat every other weekday as merely something to get over with. This is the standard schedule of living we’ve set up for ourselves. And, as a result, “T.G.I.F.” is a classic example of things-you-say-to-people-on-the-elevator. Which, you know, gets old.
I’m oversimplifying a little bit. Because it’s not to say there aren’t plenty of moments to be enjoyed between Sunday evening and Friday morning– you know, the majority of the week. For me, there are the family dinners, the time I spend reading books before bed, and the much-needed trips to the gym. (Bonus happy points if I get in a run at the bike trail instead!) I realize how lucky I am to have this time to myself. I can’t imagine working six or seven days a week– I wasn’t built with that kind of stamina.
Much like I don’t want to live in anticipation for the weekend, I also don’t want to spend the next year waiting in anticipation for the bigger things I have planned. (That’s vague for a reason. I’m figuring “things” out.) I feel like that’s part of my problem lately: Life is feeling a little bit like a countdown to greatness, while the potential greatness of now is being sacrificed. Not good.
What can I– or anyone else feeling the same way– do about that? Something that struck me recently was one of Rachel’s 2013 goals of finding more reasons to be grateful. Maybe that’s the other part of my problem. I’m not grateful enough for what I have now, in the moment. People love to tell you to live in the moment! Live in the now! Cherish every second! But let’s think about how hard that really is for a second. It’s a nice idea and all, but it’s something that loses its meaning when people quote it without acting upon it. It’s a true challenge to be happy and engaged when we’re simply going about our daily routine. Yet, think about how much better off those people who rise to the challenge are.
I’m fully aware I won’t always have this much time to myself to accomplish some of the personal goals I have. (To the parents out there, I’d like to give you a special shout-out. Also, how do you do it?) In just a couple of months, the job I’ve had for well over a year will finally be going full-time. I am grateful for the additional income it will bring me. I am grateful to even have a job at all. I am also nervous about how that major change will affect me on a more personal level.
But if I can find more reasons to enjoy Monday morning as much as I do Friday, and if I can remind myself to be grateful, I’ll be happier for it.
I totally agree with this. I think it’s unhealthy that we think of our lives in terms of ‘work’ and ‘everything else’ (or the week and the weekend) because then we’re only really enjoying a small portion of our lives, and that’s kind of tragic! I think that’s why so many people our age are so focused on finding work that we love – so that we actively enjoy all of our time, not just the cracks in between Monday to Friday, 9-5. It’s also a challenge trying to balance between enjoying the present, and building towards goals in the future. I have no good answer/solution, but I guess being aware is a good first step!
Yep, that is true—being aware of it helps. But it’s definitely tough when you have ALL THE IDEAS and you just want to accomplish those long-term goals… like now.
I’ve been trying so hard to battle the “working for the weekend” mentality, but I can’t seem to shake it. The trick is to try to find joy in what you’re doing every day, I think…I have started making it a priority to get at least one thing done a day that progresses me towards one of my goals (usually it has to do with the photography business). It’s small, but it makes me feel like the day had purpose beyond just working for a paycheck. It’s the days when I sleep in, rush to work, come home, and eat and veg until I go back to sleep that are the driving force behind my Monday Blues. The less of those days I have, the less blue I am (of course, I am basing this off of the past week, which has been surprisingly productive for me. Those 2013 goals really helped!)
And YAY, thanks for the mention!
Thanks for the inspiration! And that is such a simple yet important way to beat those blues. Because it’s true, I usually feel most depressed when I realize another day was wasted in terms of accomplishing anything toward those big goals of mine. Just since writing this post I’ve worked on exactly that. Little steps in the right direction, and suddenly I feel like I’ve accomplished a lot.
!!! Agreement. I think about this a lot. I really think that being grateful for the now, and if not, then making tiny adjustments so you have small things to be grateful for, makes a huge impact in changing your perspective and feelings on your life. It really is hard to live in the now, especially for goal people like me (and apparently you!) but it’s also really important. Even when I reach the goals I was waiting for before, I’ll just be focused on the next goals if I don’t change my perspective.
I really, really couldn’t agree with this more. My line of thinking has been along the same line lately. I’m not 100% sure how to correct it, but I’ve started by doing one of the “25 by 25″ lists. This gives me a variety of things to think about and goals to achieve.
Agree that it’s hard to savor the moment and still strive for a better future. I’m 55, and think few of my peers have found this balance. Have long felt a need to subordinate my ego to the will of God, but suspect God wants me to keep wrassling with the exact same dilemma. Hmmmmm….
Great point! Spontaneity can really help cure any boredom with the “now” or anxiety toward the future. Glad you enjoyed the post.
I couldn’t agree with you more about what you’ve said. although when I worked in a bar, I was waiting for friday/saturday to be over! I guess people just see the weeks as work time and the weekend as play time, and sadly some may not even see past those divisions so are always running on the same cycle.
I really enjoy reading your blog by the way! your topical posts are kind I most enjoy reading, and I also like to blog about similar things (and talk too)
xo