13 Tips For An Excellent Lazy Weekend

I think we all have our own ideas when it comes to lazy weekends. Many of us think of it as being alone and not having to be around people like we are most of the week. Maybe it consists of doing absolutely nothing but you find yourself sitting in one spot and later wishing on Monday that you did something at least. I've done that several times. I want a lazy weekend but then wish I had planned at least one thing instead of wondering what to do. Come with me and check out my small list of lazy tips.

#1 I think it's obvious the first tip would be to sleep in but for many, they can't help but get up and still move around. For once, let it go and sleep in. You have two full days to do anything you want. People in large cities generally wake up with an alarm to get out and rush to their gym classes. Just for once, relax. Stay in bed and just think. Let your brain go. I can recall as a preteen waking up and lying in bed just thinking about what I'd want to be as an adult or life questions and what the answers are. Do that again. You'd be amazed at the things you come up with when there aren't phone notifications, coworkers talking to you, traffic noises, errands to run, and rushing to get things done before bed. Just think. Wander.

#2 Eat something you love and take the time to enjoy it. If you're always in a rush or just don't have enough time to really enjoy food, do it today. Making your own light meal can be simple, fun, and educating. Start the day right. There have been several times when I saw a friend post about a healthy delicious meal and I wanted to try it but I never had the time to dedicate to it. Only on days when I could finally relax did I get to look up that recipe and replicate it. I loved it because it was fun! Really get into it too. You finally have enough time to really figure out what you need and what you love. Eat slowly and enjoy. Don't forget that coffee!

#3 Take a drive somewhere, anywhere. Get lost. When we're constantly running errands and working, we don't get to take a relaxing drive and really look at our surroundings. Drive somewhere you rarely go to too. Remember when Susie said that you should check out this area she found in town but you pushed it away for another time? This is that time. Roll those windows down and head that way. See what it's about. Even drive out into the countryside and see what's there. You never know what you'll find. You could find a cute store and delicious restaurant to visit and you would have never known about it until you took that drive.

#4 Finally pay attention to you and only you. Have you been wanting to try a style of makeup but haven't found the time? Now's the time for that and take a lot of it. Maybe try that facial mask you've been eyeing in your bathroom. Better yet, take a slow drive to your local store and find bath salts and bubbles, facial scrubs, masks, and maybe some funky lipstick you're not yet daring enough to try and just wear it anyway. You may just find that you love that blue or purple lipstick. Wear it all during a movie and get used to it. Take fun selfies too! This is your weekend and you get to say what's appropriate. Save rules for Monday. Today is yours!

#5 Get out a book you've been needing to catch up with and finally read it. You will instantly feel relaxed when the only voice in your head is yours. Get lost in a novel or an autobiography. You'll begin to feel the stress melt. Even if you're not ready to start a book, where's that old magazine you haven't picked up yet? While you're on that relaxing drive, stop by a book store and pick up a few. Cook books can be relaxing. You might just find a new hobby that way. Sometimes what I do is think of people I looked up to as a kid and I try to find a biography or autobiography on them. Other times I'll sit in a history section and flip through several subjects. It's tons better than searching online. I feel like someone is throwing tons of paper at me at once and I can't sort through it. A library or book store is much easier to sort through and well, it's relaxing.

#6 Grab a friend and drive into town for some people watching. People are intrigued by other people. Wondering where people are rushing to, what their lives are like, or just watching people grab coffee and go relaxes the mind because the watcher isn't the one doing the moving about. It's science. That's what they say anyway. A fun game I see people take part in is taking turns making up the conversation between two people. You both will laugh endlessly. Another game is guessing the background and lifestyle of people passing by. There's no real answer but for kicks, people enjoy this little game with a good friend. Sit back with a favorite drink and just watch. You may find that it becomes one of your favorite past times.

#7 Yep, you guessed it - catch up with those movies and shows you haven't had time to watch. Older movies help me best. For years, I've missed some of the best movies. I can't count how many times someone has asked me, "Hey, you know in <enter movie title> where they...". Nope, haven't seen that one, and that one, and also that one. I was too busy working or raising kids. I'm still busy with my kids but slowly catching up on all those good movies. I hope that one day I'll have an idea of what everyone is talking about when I'm in a group of friends and there's quotes spoken left and right. Grab a healthy (or unhealthy) snack, put on your favorite ugly t-shirt, and get that remote ready. Turn those notifications off too. This is finally your time to disappear into the world of Hollywood. Don't let anyone stop you. You've worked for it!

#8 Begin that hobby! Has there been a hobby you've been curious about but never really dove into? Why not try it today. If it's photography, do a little studying and view some professional photos you like and follow the photographer and learn their style. If you have a camera, look up how to use it. Calligraphy might even be a hobby that's passed through your mind but you haven't had the time to buy pens. You can find nice pens and ink at hobby stores and videos on how to get started. Maybe it's makeup. In that case, go back to step #2 and focus mostly on different looks. Whatever the hobby is, grab a book or even your tablet or laptop and start studying. This could become your passion. Passions can turn into much more than just a weekend hobby. Hobbies give us something to look up to and that's an awesome feeling every day.

#9 You know that restaurant you tried once but never had a chance to visit again yet you absolutely loved it? Maybe it's a restaurant you go to frequently but you're always rushed because you only get an hour for lunch. Today's the day to finally go and not move a muscle. Even if you're only ordering an iced tea, go and sit. Bring that book you just picked up or that magazine that's been collecting dust. Study your new hobby here. Location makes a difference on how relaxed you become or how you retain information. It can be harder to relax when you're in a noisy place versus somewhere that makes you feel like you're on vacation.

#11 Soak up nature. Find a quiet spot and really listen. Pay close attention to the lake and the water lapping onto the shore. Close your eyes and see what you can hear. Play a little game with yourself by seeing how many sounds you can hear at once that you never noticed on other days. Watch the bees and ants working hard. You can even hang a hammock and relax in the trees. Check out Amazon for some easy travel hammocks that come with their own bags. You can strap that hammock nearly anywhere. Also, don't forget to soak in the sun as well. Let the sun hit your face and stretch your arms out. Take a walk. Bringing a friend is great too. Even if you're not conversing, just being with someone makes it great.

#12 Call or visit a relative. When was the last time you sat with a relative and enjoyed the day with them? When I visit my grandmother, it's somewhat rushed and relaxed at the same time. Most times I have my kids with me. While she loves to see them, it's hard for me to relax with them because I'm trying to keep them alive. Even when we take them to the park, I can sit bac but I have to keep an eye on them. It's a lot easier visiting when they're not around. Bringing small gifts to loved ones is fun too. They won't expect it and you'll love the look on their face. If you have elderly family, ask them about their past. People don't always write their lives down for their family to read when they're gone. It can be fun to collect a few questions and really get to know who they were when they were younger. In fact, Amazon has memoir books for elderly family members to fill out. Instead of your grandparent writing it down, you could help them and get some good stories. I even aim to ask my great aunts some questions and record their answers so all my cousins can hear their stories in their own words. It's a wonderful memory saver.

#13 Window shopping can actually be fun. No need to spend money. Just look around, chat with others, and look at everything in the store. No really - really look at everything. Don't rush this. The reason I say this is because I've done the rush window shopping even on lazy days. I realized that if I slowed down and even went into stores I normally wouldn't, I've found fun and neat items I wanted or needed. I would have had no clue about these things if I had ignored that store again or glanced at their items and left. Not everything is going to something you'd normally be into but it doesn't hurt to take a look. Trying on funny hats or glasses is fun too. Yes, it's silly but this isn't the day to be serious. Remember, you're not working today. Be a goof! No one's judging. Take funny photos and post them to your favorite social app. Try on clothes you'd never think twice about. They can look bad on the hanger but good on you. Again, you'll never know until you try. Just enjoy that walk.

There you have it. There's plenty more that I could name but I'll stop here for now. If you have some you enjoy, let me know. I love suggestions. Needing some skin care that will help you relax? Well, you know how to reach me. *wink*