What To Do This Weekend

SO... I am a big believer in letting loose. The number of responsibilities I have Monday through Friday continues to grow. Just when I begin to feel like I can't escape the Mount Everest-sized workload I have, I am rescued by the glorious weekend.

After five days of non-stop work I look forward to two days of non-stop play. How I choose to unwind depends on my mood and my location. I like to change it up each weekend to avoid falling into a routine. For example, I could go full-fledged Ke$ha at a party one weekend and seamlessly turn into the couch queen of ABC Family movies the next.

So whenever a major ~*pArTy*~ holiday such as Halloween, New Year's Eve or St. Patrick's Day rolls around I am never afraid to stay in for the weekend if that's what I'm feeling. I don't think anyone should ever go out just because others want them to because in the end, no one will have fun.

If you don't have a full itinerary of bar-hopping and party crashing planned for this weekend, don't fret. I've rounded up a few of my favorite weekend alternatives for you to enjoy because after all, you deserve it:

Step up your foodie profile

You know those restaurants you have always wanted to try but they require an entire afternoon/evening to fully experience? You research the place (or places) you want to try, you travel to said place, you probably wait for a table and then by the time you're finished eating there is simply no way you can go to a bar for a nightcap - much less a party. 

Use your super chill weekend to finally hit the hot spots you've been waiting so long to try. You will be able to enjoy yourself and appreciate the restaurant you've been dreaming about since you spotted it on Food Network. Don't forget to thank Guy Fieri, because he's probably the one who made the place famous. 

Have a productive shopping day

I am a big believer in shopping but to be honest I almost never buy things I actually NEED when I go shopping because I just want to mindlessly browse without having to worry about checking things off  of a list. I'll save that for Whole Foods, thanks.

When I plan a PRODUCTIVE shopping day, however, I assess what my wardrobe is lacking and then I research the best stores to find what I need. Rain boots? Blazers for work? Purses? Chances are, you actually do need to buy certain things that you have neglected because you haven't taken time to think about what you don't have. 

Instead of spending money on yet another pair of jeans or v-neck (guilty), reallocate your funds to something you need. Part of the fun is scoping out the best stores to buy these items. Make a day of it!

Plan your next weekend

Maybe the reason why you're not going out this weekend is because your poorly made plans fell through. It is normal to get too busy during the week to even think about what to do when Friday and Saturday roll around. Take advantage of your time at home to think about what you want next weekend to look like.

This is your opportunity to finally plan that short weekend jaunt to the city you've wanted to visit for ages. It takes little effort to do and is probably just a matter of clicking "confirm" to purchase your train or plane tickets, but you don't have that kind of time during the week! 

Taking the time to strategically plan your weekend will save you money and help you avoid the mental freakout that could result from trying to plan a weekend getaway in the middle of a busy work day. 

Just.... chill out

I'm going, going, going all week long. I am lucky to get in bed by midnight and fall asleep by 1AM. My brain moves at warp-speed and while I enjoy everything I do during the week, I really find myself longing for more hours in the day to just... chill out.

If you don't want to spend a night out on the town, take advantage of your down time and spend it pampering yourself. You don't even have to DO anything, that's the beauty of this idea. It requires absolutely no mental activity whatsoever. If you want to plan out an entire night of at-home spa treatments then go for it! Want to catch up on the TV shows everyone else except for you has time to watch? Do it! 

The notion of doing nothing can mean something different for everyone. For me, cleaning out my closet and rearranging my heels can be just as soothing as meditation is for others. When you decide to have a low-key weekend, try to do things that make you feel at peace.