When I tell people I get excited about the weekends, they can’t seem to understand why. Some friends back home like to remind me that I work for myself (and live in Spain), which to some can seem that my life is just one big holiday. Fair enough, were fortunate to live somewhere where the sun shines 3,000 hours a year, but life is life and in my case it’s pretty normal and I also really look forward to the weekends like the next person. Really, I do!
Working from home, does not mean we live a ‘weekend’ life everyday, I still have to do the nomal mummy, wifey things and work to put food on the table. But it DOES mean that I have the freedom to say, that THIS is MY weekend, a respite from the craziness of our daily routine, and I try to make sure that it’s a couple of days spent doing the things we like. How liberating to know that I don’t have to be the kids taxi service for two days and it’s more than acceptable to stay in my pyjamas after 10:00am. HOORAY!
In all honesty, working for yourself requires a lot of self-discipline, specially when you live somewhere like Valencia. It was hard when we first move to Spain, with the weather being the main attraction, it took a while to mentally condition myself that I can’t sit out and sunbathe all day (yes, really). Specially harder when friends call up to say they’ve finished early on a Friday, trying their hardest to persuade us that it’s OK, this is how we do it in Spain, you can finish at 2pm if you want! No, sorry guys, but somehow I think that excuse won’t go down too well with our clients.
But living in Spain had made our weekends a lot more exciting and cheap! With good weather to enjoy almost everyday (specially the weekends), making plans like a drive to the coast or a BBQ with friends is a lot easier because we don’t have to worry it’s going to be raining or not!
Here, kids can be thrown outside to play, and I don’t mind so much if they spend their time watching TV or playing computer games, because the majority of their time are spent outside. I never get the chance anymore to say, “It’s nice outside, why don’t you go and play out!” because they will usually say, “But mum, it’s always nice outside!”. I guess they have a point.
But, yes. Weekends are special. The thought of having two days break from work and normal duties fills me with unimaginable joy! I wish I could write a long list of all the things I want to do in one weekend sitting, but of course that would be impossible, so I have narrowed it down to a good few but simple good ones.
The weekends are best for:
- Having a lie in – the amazing feeling that I don’t have to set my alarm to give me a heart attack at 6:00am.
- Not having to drive the 40 minute run to school and back – I finally get a break from being taxi mum!
- Time spent with the boys – baking, football, cycling, film nights. Time spent with kids without having to spend a penny is probably the best.
- Having the time to plan or write my blog posts – gives me the time to jot down and reflect on the things that has been happening. Ideas that I want to share with my readers. It’s also a relaxing time for me.
- Pyjama days – because they are the best!
- Paella – It’s a Valencian tradition, and why not. Best served with friends.
- Reading a good book – catching up reading which I want to do a lot more this year. I’m half way through reading Salems Lot (again).
- Long drives in the countryside – we live in the countryside, so we don’t have to go too far. But anywhere where there are olives, grapes and oranges are a joy to drive through on a Sunday morning.
Probably the same things you appreciate too, the simplest things are the best right? What is the best thing about the weekend for you?
