Alright, this one goes out to everyone who’s on summer break, stay at home parents, or anyone with a day off this summer. If you’re like me at all you struggle to be productive with a day off. You wake up with intentions of getting things done, and you go to bed wondering what you even did that day. I’m committing this summer to be more productive with my days. So Today, I’m sharing with you all five tips on how I’m making it happen.
I’ll be honest and say that I’ve only been doing this the past few days because I got my wisdom teeth out last week and have been recovering with a questionable amount of netflix. Let me also just say, that a diet of pudding, milkshakes, mashed potatoes and mac n’ cheese sounds great, until you have to live it as a reality for more than two days. I’m slowly working my way back to chips, which I have been desperately craving. Anyway, my point was that although I haven’t been doing this for long, I already see the benefit and I’m hoping to keep it up throughout the summer.
Let me also clarify that I view a day off and a Sabbath day very differently. Sabbath rest is something I believe everyone should practice weekly. That’s a day free from the stress of productivity. It’s a day to refuel and do things that rejuvenate you. It should be free from guilt of not doing enough and full of all that fills your soul.
A day off on the other hand is a day that you don’t necessarily have obligations – like work, school, etc. but could be used to be productive and meet goals. With that in mind – here’s the five things I plan to do to make the most of my summer days off.
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Set an Alarm and Wake Up at a Decent Hour-
I’m off to a challenging start. It’s hard to want to wake up early when you could sleep in till noon. That’s what would happen to me if I didn’t set an alarm. I’ve set a compromise with myself. During the school year, I have to wake up at 6 to get to work on time; now that it’s summer, I let myself sleep in a little bit, but no later than 9. This prompts me to get my day started earlier and make the most of the day.
2. Commit to Limiting Electronic Usage-
The biggest thing is making a commitment to not turn on the TV or pull out the computer or phone. TV is the biggest culprit for me. If I turn on netflix, I’m down for the count, I can’t watch just one episode. I’m reserving TV for an evening activity, after I’ve accomplished something with my day.
I restrict computer and phone use to listening to music and/or audiobooks (while I do other productive activities), and work usage. In other words, no social media, games or internet shopping. Avoiding the black hole that is technology insures I can accomplish something productive with my day.
3. Start Slow-
The next thing I try to do is take some time to have a chill morning. Remember, this is a day off, we don’t need to be running around like chickens with their heads cut off, we need to find a balance of chill and productivity.
Of course coffee is a must, as I drink my coffee I take some time to either do a devotion (I’m enjoying this one right now), or start working on a Bible Journaling page. This time is important to getting my day off to a good start. I’m able to center my mind and heart on God’s word which guides my attitude and approach at the rest of the day.
4. Pick a Few Realistic To-Do Items –
After I’ve gotten my day off to a good start, I try to pick three or four realistic tasks to complete. This could be anything from doing a load of laundry, grocery shopping, writing a blog, or meeting with a friend. This does not include binge watching a show, catching up on social media, or napping. I try to limit it to a few things I know I can accomplish so I don’t get discouraged when the day is over because I haven’t completed my to-do list.
5. Get Moving or Go Outside –
The next thing I try to do is get outside and moving. I try to avoid the heat of the day so this turns into either a morning or evening activity. Some days this looks like yard work, other days I head to the gym for a class. On other occasions I’m able to find a few friends to put together a game of volleyball or even head to the pool. Whatever it is for you, get moving and don’t let yourself become a couch potato! I always feel better when I’ve done something active during my day – and I definitely sleep better as well.
6. Bonus Tip – Treat Yo-self-
And here’s a bonus tip for you. Remember, this is a day off. It’s ok to treat yourself and do something fun, entertaining or “not productive” sometimes. I try to get my to-do list done and reward myself once I’ve finished with a good book, a TV show, or perhaps a trip to get ice cream. Life is all about finding balance, it’s ok to to treat yo-self too!
I just love the portrayal of a productive woman given in Proverbs 31. Often people go straight to the verses about beauty and strength when they read this. Those are some great verses, but as I read I was drawn to the image of a hardworking woman who takes pride in what she does, and finds worth in her work. I want to take pride in what I do with my days this summer. I want to make good use of my time, even if I’m not on the clock and getting paid.
What tips do you have for a productive day off? Share them below in the comments.
