I am writing this on Saturday morning. Before anyone is up.

I want to make sure I have a good weekend. A weekend that is restful, but also fun, and has most elements of what I think of as a good time.

In order for that to happen, I have to make sure the pieces of the puzzle are in place.

What I mean is that I have to plan a bit. 

To have a picture in my mind of what the weekend would look like so that all the bases are covered.

• Some alone time

• Some quality family time

• Some time for my very basic food prep for the coming week and laundry and other household related tasks, 

• Some time for a social outing, 

• Some time for staying home and relaxing: reading, watching TV, napping etc.

• My son’s activity drop off and pick up, 

• Some time for a date (coffee date counts!) with my husband. 

I think all these pieces together would a great weekend for me. But the problem is that unless I plan for this time, it is not going to happen- or atleast all of them.

So if I want to make sure I cover all my bases, even a weekend needs to have some sort of a plan going in. 

I know it sounds counterintuitive to plan relaxing time. But planning, even if loosely, gives a blueprint of what, where, when and how.

And if ten minutes of thinking can lead to a satisfying and relaxing and rejuvenating weekend, then I think the cost to pay is small.

I have not been a weekend planner ever. This is a new territory for me. But something that is starting to make sense. And I can see the value.

It, of course, helps if I share it with my family and make sure every one is on board, and that they are able to plan their commitments and requirements around the communal stuff. So that we all come out of this weekend happy. And rejuvenated.

So here is my basic plan for this weekend:

• Some alone time: Saturday morning Yoga class

• Some Quality Family Time: After Yoga Brunch with family

• Household/Food Prep Time: Saturday evening and Sunday early afternoon

• Social Outing: Had a lovely Book Club meeting with my friends last night!

• Staying home and relaxing time: Saturday afternoon and evening

• My son’s drop off and pick up: Sunday morning (me?) and Sunday midday (hubby?)

• Date with hubby: When my son is away on Sunday morning

Having all my puzzle piece is place still gives me enough time to bumble about, and be off plan. But atleast I know I am able to do what I want to do.

Now I need to share with my family and see if they are ok with this. And we are golden!

Now, off to my ALONE TIME yoga class…!