“Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.” -John Lennon
It’s been 8 months since I left my day job for the new career as a yoga teacher/massage therapist/holistic magazine publisher/blogger extraordinaire. During the months leading up to the switch I just kept dreaming about all that I’d be gaining from the switch: flexible schedule, a minimalist commute, the satisfaction of working for myself, the tangible feeling of accomplishment from actually physically working for a living, and of course more time to spend doing the things I love to do. I didn’t think much about what I’d be giving up (besides the steady paycheck). As it turns out what I miss more than the regular direct deposit of a steady full-time gig is the time-honored, much beloved weekend.
As a yoga teacher and massage therapist weekends are my prime time! I work at least 8 hours both days of the normal weekend and find myself taking 2 days off sometime during the week. Usually I don’t take those days off consecutively. As luck would have it this week I had both Tuesday and Wednesday off. It was my first real two-day break in 8 months and I have to confess…I’m jealous. It felt sinfully indulgent to have 48 whole hours to use as I pleased. I made my own granola, hummus, and thai green curry. I dragged my juicer out of the garage and made some fresh juice. I went to an actual yoga class with a teacher! I took my dog for a walk in the park. I cleaned our desperately, hopelessly, tragically messy kitchen. I went out to dinner with my favorite guy to our favorite restaurant. It’s been a wonderful treat to have a weekend again.
Maybe this is a case of “the grass is always greener” syndrome. For years I craved the flexibility to set my own hours and the career path that didn’t include sitting at a desk 40 hours a week. Now that I have all that glorious freedom, all I want are my weekends back. In any case, if you ARE one of the folks out there who get a regular weekend EVERY WEEK, I hope you are making the most of it. In the meantime, my unexpected weekend has taught me a few lessons about setting aside time to do the things that are important in life. If we don’t take care of ourselves, our homes, our loved ones…it does not matter how successful we are in our professional life. Making time to do the things that bring you the most joy and satisfaction is essential, whether you take that time on Saturday or Sunday afternoons or like me at 10am on a Wednesday.
I guess I’ll quit complaining about not having a weekend. I’ve got a busy day lined up tomorrow…and then another day off on Friday 
TODAY’S KARMA SCOREBOARD
Tried out a new yoga studio (+2)
Did some grocery shopping and clean up for the house (+2)
Took Dash to the park for the first time in MONTHS (+2)
