Free Weekends

A lot has happened over the last month that I'm surprised I have not gone insane by now. There have been births, deaths, deadlines, demanding projects, and other personal obligations that consumed every wake hour I had. It is actually amazing how easily we burn through weeks and months without a second thought, until our bodies must physically warn us about the abuse (burnout). Without anything substantial to show for the month, it feels like you wasted or lost time. Life is quite cutthroat at that rate.

But the secret to maintaining sanity and preventing a total breakdown: rest and play. Yes, mindless play and laughter like kids do best. And plenty of rest like you have no concern in this world. So as a family we started a year ago the practice of reserving a free weekend (Friday evening through Sunday night) each month during which we unplug from the busyness around us. During our monthly planning sessions, the first thing we decide is when to have this weekend. We schedule absolutely nothing (or as little as possible) that whole time so we can rest, no matter what is on our plate. We might plan a leisurely getaway, but we usually just stay home because travel can be cumbersome and tiring itself.

A miracle happens during that weekend for me: willful neglect of social media, email, and entertainment (except background music). I typically don't do church or answer my phone as well. Nor do I concern myself with anything remotely considered an adult responsibility. Complete blackout from the usual grind. On the other end of the weekend, we are energized and have better perspective on the challenges we face. Definitely time well spent.