05 Sep 2019

How bloody good are weekends? Two whole days of freedom to be spent however you damn well please... apart from the fact that they seem to flash by before you get a chance to even realise that you’re relaxed.

As great as weekends are, every now and then one springs up on you before you even know what to do with it.  Maybe your week was so busy that you didn’t get a chance to think about your beloved days off. Or maybe all your usual mates are away for some reason or another, leaving you stranded for things to do.

If you have found yourself in this situation, do not stress. You will not succumb to 48 hours of boredom, I will not allow it! There’s just too much life out there. There are not enough hours in one lifetime to possibly do everything in the world that you want to do, so you can't let two days go to waste!

1. Read, watch, listen

Read a book, watch a movie/series/documentary, listen to a podcast. If you choose the right book, you won’t want to move for two days straight anyway, so it’s a great way to kill time make the most of your time. The same applies to podcasts, there are some seriously addictive series out there. Find something enriching rather than mindless (although mindless definitely works too if you've had a hard week).

2. Explore

Just choose somewhere new and go there with no set plan. If you have a car, get up Google Maps and set the screen to a 30km radius. Now just choose somewhere at random and head out there. Drive around wherever you are, check out the food options, do any walks that might be closeby. Get to know your extended home.

3. Go on a date

Just bloody do it - message that guy/girl you’ve been thinking about, you never know what they're gonna say. They might be just as keen as you are to hang out and see where things lead.

Alternatively, download a dating app and - after a little bit of bant - ask someone out on a date. Even if you’re not that interested, just find yourself a friend for the weekend and see what happens (ya never know 😉). One thing’s for sure though, you won’t be bored!

4. Do a new class

If you’re hobbyless or feel like a break from your usual hobbies, then mix things up by enrolling in a one-off class in something new. Jump online and see if there’s anything discounted (I love Groupon) and just choose something at random. Just like with the date, you never know – you could find love!

5. Free up your future-self's time

If you really can’t be bothered to do anything with your weekend, then get some errands done so that next time you find some free time, it doesn’t have to be spent doing any of that boring, mind-numbing-but-important life admin. Clean ya room, clean ya house, do chores for mum. Get study done well in advance. Do any shopping and/or cooking for a few days in advance. Get your life in order so it can be enjoyed later when you’re in the mood.

6. Go to a show/event

Again, just choose something at random. Whether it’s a comedy show, jazz, a musical, a Shakespearean re-enactment, the outdoor cinema, a death-metal concert, a cricket match, an art exhibition, the local markets, just give something a go, Trying new things is a great way to find something you could potentially love, but you'll never know if you don't give it a red hot crack.