COREY STRONG

I don’t know about you, but I think we’ve all been through enough this week. Between work, responsibilities, the news, people, and everything else life seems to throw our way, I’m making a case for a slower weekend.

No elaborate plans. No expensive outings. No pressure to be productive or make the most of every waking hour. Just a little time at home, a few creature comforts, and an opportunity to catch your breath.

Fall is the perfect excuse to slow things down, get comfortable, and enjoy the simple things. So, consider this your friendly reminder that you don’t have to do much this weekend. In fact, that’s kind of the point.

A few things to put on your cozy weekend agenda:

• Read a book. Not an article, not another social media post. An actual book. Even if you only get through a chapter.
• Take a nap. And don’t feel guilty about it. Sometimes eight hours of sleep isn’t enough, and an afternoon nap is exactly what the doctor ordered.
• Give yourself an avocado facial. You know that leftover avocado sitting in the refrigerator? Put it to good use. A little at-home pampering never hurt anybody. (And Yes, I am aware of how ridiculous I look in that photo above LOL)
• Wash your hair. Give yourself a proper wash, condition, and deep treatment. You’ll thank yourself later.
• Give your dog a bath. Your furry roommate could probably use a little freshening up, too.
• Change your sheets. There’s something about climbing into a freshly made bed that makes life feel a little more manageable.
• Make something warm to eat. Soup, chili, baked potatoes, or whatever makes your kitchen smell like home.
• Light a candle. You don’t need company coming over to make your house smell good.
• Put your phone down. At least for a little while. The internet will survive without you.
• Watch a movie you’ve already seen. No plot twists, no emotional investment required. Just something familiar and comforting.
• Open a window for a little fresh air. Let the fall breeze remind you that the world is still moving, and you don’t have to keep up with all of it.
• Do absolutely nothing. Yes, I’m including this as an actual activity. You’re welcome.

And perhaps that’s the whole point of this little list.

We spend so much of our time trying to keep up, get ahead, show up, and figure things out that we sometimes forget how important it is to simply enjoy our own company and surroundings.

You don’t need a reservation, a weekend getaway, a shopping trip, or an elaborate self-care routine to feel a little better.

Sometimes all you need is a clean house, a comfortable pair of pajamas, something good to eat, and permission to leave the rest of the world outside for a while.

Have a cozy weekend. You’ve earned it.

With love,

CJS

P.S….If you love the title photo as much as I do, it’s by photographer and farmer Phil Evenden.