Making the Most of Your Time Off (Even If It’s Not on the Weekend)

This post started out as “how to make the most of your weekend,” but then it hit me—weekends aren’t a universal luxury. Not everyone gets them off. Doctors are on call, shops need to stay open, artists have performances to give, and some people don’t even have a regular two-day weekend. But more importantly, time off shouldn’t be something we only allow ourselves on weekends. Finding small windows of rest throughout the week is essential for maintaining balance.

These days, I try not to work weekends—and for the most part, I succeed. I only jump on my laptop if there’s something urgent or time-sensitive, like a research deadline or athlete support that can’t wait. But I’ve been there: for years, weekends blurred into workdays. Whether it was university, office work, coaching, or competitive windsurfing, I often confused downtime with work time, prioritised others’ needs over mine, and mistook my career for my life.

It’s an amazing feeling to show up energised and focused when you do need to get things done. And the secret to that? Making sure your time off actually feels like time off. Filling it with things that recharge you, help you create memories, and let you experience joy. I love waking up refreshed, being productive, and feeling motivated for the day ahead. Just as much, I cherish those moments when I’m truly present during my downtime—not just reacting to whatever pops up.

I’ll be honest—I don’t always get it right. This is a learning process. I used to be constantly “on,” always pushing and never knowing how to stop. Letting go didn’t come naturally. I had to learn how to care for my time and protect it—and it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself. Want to join me in becoming one of those annoyingly energetic and genuinely satisfied people? Read on.

My Top Tips for Making the Most of Your Time Off

1. Make conscious choices.
Ask yourself what you really need—don’t just default to habits. Some of us need more rest, others need to stop procrastinating and take action. You might need connection with loved ones, or time to prioritise your needs over everyone else’s. If you don’t make an intentional choice, your free hours will vanish into the same old patterns. (If you haven’t seen Groundhog Day, now’s a good time.)

2. Do make a plan.

You don’t have to schedule every minute, but some structure goes a long way. I find that even a loose plan helps me follow through—whether it’s seeing friends, catching up on sleep, or relaxing. Blocking time in my calendar (yes, even for rest) makes my week feel smoother and more fulfilling.

3. Connect.

Busy schedules can push relationships to the back burner. And if you’re introverted or drained, it’s easy to label your time off as “me time” but end up aimlessly scrolling or, worse, doing unintentional work. I’ve learned that being intentional with connection—even a short catch-up—can feel more nourishing than a whole day of “doing nothing.”

4. Look at the big picture.
You don’t need to meditate for hours, but checking in with yourself matters. What’s flowing in your life? What’s stuck? What small steps could nudge you forward? Set goals, identify the actions needed, and gently push yourself out of your comfort zone. Even small progress counts.

5. Make appointments for joy.
If you want a bubble bath, set the scene and make it happen. Want to catch up with a friend? Schedule it. Want to train, read, learn, or just do something fun? Put it in your calendar. And if you keep skipping it, take that as feedback—it might be time to reassess and re-balance across your relationships, work, and personal needs.

6. Schedule actual down time.
This means no social media, no emails, no TV, and no tending to others’ needs. Just you. It’s not selfish—it’s essential. Be mindful of what drains you and give your attention to what truly recharges you, even if it means ignoring a phone call or choosing solitude over distraction.

The main message here is this: becoming aware of how you spend your time is a process. Patterns won’t shift overnight. You’ll make missteps, but that’s part of learning. After a few weeks or a month of experimenting, you’ll get better at recognising what works for you. And you might even find yourself enjoying it.

So, does your time off fly by too quickly? What are the things you always mean to do, but never get around to? Look at the big picture. Make choices. Plan ahead. Be selective.

You deserve time that restores you.

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