WEEKENDS ARE FOR REST- BY SAKEENAH' WRITES

Weekends are for rest, but for the past few months, my weekends have been everything but restful.

From task lists to trainings, events to endless planning. They’ve been a cycle of unfinished tasks, looming deadlines, back-to-back meetings, responsibilities that spill over from the week, and the constant pressure to keep pushing, keep achieving, keep moving. 

I’ve barely had the luxury of just breathing without thinking of what’s next. I found myself caught in a cycle that made me productive, but constantly drained. And while I love the work I do, I realized that I was slowly losing touch with the little things that bring me joy, the things that make me HUMANLY ME.

Today, I paused. I decided to leave the workload, the to-do lists, the pressure to always "show up" and "get things done."

Today, I chose me.

I chose to do the things I love; those little acts of self-love I often push aside because of my busy schedule. I decided to embrace stillness and reconnect with my soul. No guilt. No rush. Just presence.

So here's what my Me-time checklist for today looks like:

💠1. Sleep a little longer, guilt-free

💠2. Watch one of my favourite Indian movies, Like Stars on Earth. It's a beautiful story about finding your voice, embracing imperfections, and how sometimes, the world needs to slow down to truly see what's important.

💠3. Take a long, peaceful walk in nature, allowing my mind to wander and reflect.

💠4. Journal about everything I’m grateful for right now; a simple yet profound exercise in shifting perspective.

💠5. Read a book that’s been on my shelf for far too long.

💠6. Listen to my favourite islamic nasheeds; no beats, no drums, just sounds, hummings, and be still.

💠7.  Call someone I love, and have a real conversation with them.

💠8. Meditate and ground myself in the present moment, allowing my mind to fully unwind.

💠9. Pray with focus, not in a hurry

💠10. Switch off my data, and appreciate life without social media.

To everyone reading this: 

Dear YOU, rest is not a reward. It is a right.

It’s not selfish to choose yourself; it’s survival. It's okay to rest. It's okay to take a break. 

Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is to stop everything and just breathe. Let today be the day you choose you over everything.

So, what’s on your “Me-Time” checklist this weekend?

SAKEENAH' WRITES 

||Award-winning Content Writer||Result-driven Writing and Communication Coach||Personal Growth Strategist||Sought-after Corporate Event Planner||Youth Development Advocate||

- Nigeria