Look after yourself this weekend and always remember: there’s only one you ~ Prove Your Power

If you’re reading this with five tabs open and a to-do list breathing down your neck, same. You want rest, but your brain’s like, “One more thing.” Then another. Then suddenly it’s Sunday night and you’re wondering where your weekend went. If that’s you, hey me too. You’re not broken. You’re human.

Let me repeat that: you’re human.

I’ve had weekends where I was “off,” but somehow worked the whole time just doing stuff like cleaning, “catching up,” doom-scrolling, answering messages I didn’t actually need to answer.

Monday arrived and I felt like a crumpled receipt: used and unreadable. The turning point? Realizing I was waiting for some type of self-permission to rest. Spoiler: no one hands out gold star passes for taking care of yourself. You give it to yourself.

So this is your permission from you, slip. Use it this weekend. And if your brain resists, bear with me. I’ve got tiny, doable steps.

First, the mindset shift: you’re not being lazy, you’re refueling

Imagine you’re a phone. Would you argue with a charger? Exactly. Rest isn’t a reward you earn after suffering; it’s fuel that lets you do Mondays well. Shifting this one belief changed everything for me. When I treat rest like maintenance instead of a luxury, I actually take it.

Try this reframe:

“If I pause now, I’ll work better later.”
“A rested me makes fewer mistakes.”
“I’m allowed to feel good today, not just someday.”

Micro-nudge: write one sentence on a sticky note: “Rest is part of the plan.” Put it where you’ll see it.A small, no-pressure self-care menu (pick 1–3, that’s it)

Think of this like tapas for your soul—little plates, no overthinking.

The 10-minute tidy: choose one surface, clear it, stop.
Sunlight + sip: step outside with water/tea and breathe for two songs.
Body reset: stretch your spine, roll your shoulders, unclench your jaw.
Screens down, senses up: light a candle, touch a soft blanket, listen to a favorite track.
Tiny pleasure: fresh pillowcase, clean mug, a fruit you actually enjoy.
Inbox boundary: set a 15-minute timer, star what’s important, close it.

Real talk: you don’t need a two-hour routine. One tiny reset beats a perfect plan you never start.

Weekend “reset” that doesn’t steal your whole day

Here’s my simple three-part flow. It takes about 45–60 minutes max. Promise.

Write everything buzzing in your mind like tasks, worries, ideas. No sorting, yet.
Sort: circle three things for Monday only. Everything else goes to later.
Design your day: choose one thing for you (movement, reading, art, a bath) and one thing for the house (laundry, food prep). Done.

If your brain argues (“But what about the other 27 things?!”), smile and say: They’re written down. They’ll wait. You’re in charge.

Micro-nudge: schedule 30 minutes of “nothing” this weekend. Literally label it Nothing on your planner. Watch your shoulders drop.

Gentle boundaries that protect your peace

Boundaries aren’t walls; they’re doors with doorknobs, you decide when to open them.

With people: “Hey, I’m offline this afternoon. I’ll reply tomorrow.”
With chores: “After 6 PM, the laundry can live its own life.”
With phone: put it in another room for an hour. (Psst: that’s okay.)
With yourself: if you catch doom-scrolling, ask, “What do I actually need right now? Because this thing is eating my time...”

Micro-nudge: create a one-line auto-reply you can paste all weekend: “Out for some rest time—back tomorrow.”

A tiny ritual to remind you: there’s only one you. Pick one of these and make it yours:

The good-morning page: write three lines: How I feel / What I need / One kind thing I’ll do for me.
The doorframe note: tape a small card that says, “Notice one beautiful thing before you pass.”
The 3-task bracelet: three beads = three priorities. Touch a bead when you complete one. Simple, tactile, done.

Is this a bit quirky? Yep. Does it work? Also yep. Rituals anchor your day when willpower wanders.

When the guilt shows up (because it will)

Guilt loves to whisper, “Others are doing more.” Here’s your comeback: Comparison is a liar with a megaphone. You don’t see people’s drafts, only their headlines. Your job isn’t to outpace strangers; it’s to stay in relationship with your own energy, values, and needs.

Try this two-minute check-in:

What am I feeling? (name it simply)
What would help me feel 2% better? (water, step outside, text a friend, stretch)

Micro-nudge: aim for 2% better, not 200%. Your nervous system will thank you.

A tiny weekend plan you can steal

Morning: sunlight + sip, 10-minute tidy, choose your 3 beads.
Midday: walk or stretch, prep one easy snack, 20 minutes with something you enjoy.
Evening: screen-off hour, warm shower, gratitude for three tiny wins (yes, “I washed my face” counts).

If you fall off the plan, no drama. Start again at the next hour. The next hour is always forgiving.

Final reminder (pin this somewhere)

You are not a machine that occasionally malfunctions. You’re a person who deserves care. Looking after yourself this weekend isn’t selfish; it’s wise. It’s what keeps your spark from turning into smoke.

Prove Your Power