how to have the perfect weekend

a framework. from a millennial woman in NYC.

I’m convinced that I’ve cracked the code on how to have a perfect weekend.

In my opinion, this weekend schedule that I’ve created is the most optimal duality of being fun and being practical. The perfect balance of rest and zest; of taking care of yourself and letting yourself go wild (which is also self care).

It’s not a weekend that will leave you feeling totally depleted.

It’s not a weekend that will leave you feeling wholly unproductive.

It’s not a weekend that will be unremarkable and boring.

It’s a perfect weekend.

Before we begin…

This is not going to be an itinerary that tells you exactly where to eat, drink, workout etc, because we’re all different and have our own tastes and preferences. Your ideal workout might be a 6am Barry’s bootcamp, or an 11am kundalini yoga and sound bath, or a long distance run of 20 miles. Specific details like that are totally up to you. I’m just here to provide the framework.

Think of this more like a guideline, and you get to fill in the blanks with whatever floats your boat.

There are also some stipulations. This weekend framework (in it’s exact unedited format) is best for you, if:

You’re over the age of 27.

Gone are the weekends where I partied from Thursday through Sunday. I left those years (and those brain cells) back in college. My frontal lobe has since developed and I try to avoid hangovers (though sometimes the martinis attack and it is unavoidable). In sum, this is not a party weekend itinerary.

You don’t have kids.

I am a childless 33 year old (by choice), so my weekends don’t involve small humans and I don’t have the responsibility of caring for anyone else but myself. Because of that, this itinerary is built around individual needs and joy, but you could totally adapt this around your kids/family schedule.

You live in a big city like NYC.

Writing to you from New York (born and raised baby!) so being within close proximity of things like museums, restaurants, bars, and fitness studios is a key element to this weekend. This guide leans heavily on that proximity.

This is not meant to exclude, just to set expectations. Feel free to edit this framework as you see fit based on your age, interests, and preferences.

Ok ready? Let’s get into Angelina’s Perfect Weekend.

THURSDAY

Yes we’re starting the weekend on Thursday and no it is not Thirsty Thursday. But it is Friday Eve. And I like to start setting the tone of the weekend leading into Friday, not just on Friday at 5pm.

Morning Workout

We’re getting up early and we’re doing our feel good workout before work. Get the blood flowing, get the endorphins high, get a solid sweat in. Dealer’s choice for what workout you want to do. For me, it’s a SoulCycle class with Monique at 7am.

Crush Your To-Do List

After the workout, we work. We’re working smart today so that we set ourselves up nice for tomorrow. We’re looking to have a stress-free Friday. Cross shit off your to-do list—you should be riding an energy high.

Lowkey Fun

When work is done, I like to do a little something fun on my Thursdays. It doesn’t need to be fancy. It can be a casual dinner at your favorite little hole in the wall restaurant with your beau. It can be happy hour with a coworker (TWO drink maximum). Maybe it’s an comedy show, or an art gallery, maybe your girls come over for dinner and yapping. We’re staying up a little later than usual on a school night but in a chic way. Sophisticated, tame, nothing that’s going to ruin our Friday.

FRIDAY

Thursday was priming us for a comfortable Friday. We did good exercise, good work, and some good fun. Now we chill.

Cruise Control Mode

Hopefully we’re working from home today (God bless all the warriors that have had to return to the office 5 days a week). We put in good work yesterday so today should be easy and effortless. We’re answering emails and yanno, keeping the lights on, but we’re not killing ourselves here. Speaking from someone who works in marketing, it’s all foo-foo juice. It’s PR not the ER. 99% of it can wait for Monday.

The Everything Shower

Slam that laptop shut and hop that ass in the shower, it’s time to decompress after a long hard week. I go out all for this—light a candle, exfoliate and lather up with Necessaire (the hinoki scent has a chokehold on me), double shampoo my hair. We’re treating ourselves to a spa-like experience, because we deserve it.

Chill TF Out

After that glorious shower where we rinsed away all the stress of the week, we’re Relaxing. Capital R.

Do these 5 things:

1. Skincare Routine - layer it all on, we’re not going anywhere except the couch.

2. Comfiest PJs - I love a silky matching set and a pair of extra fuzzy socks.

3. Comfort Meal - maybe you prefer to cook a nice comfort dinner, but since I’m not the chef in my household, I love an at-home sushi takeout. If my boyfriend (aka the chef) is home, then he whips up a delicious salmon bowl or something Italian for us. Go with whatever your gut wants.

4. Chill Out - if I’m home alone, I love to just cozy up on the couch with my latest library book. Sometimes I paint. Sometimes we binge Love is Blind. Dealer’s choice here, do whatever you enjoy with zero guilt.

5. Good Sleep - pop that CBD gummy, take a melatonin, make a sleepy girl mocktail with magnesium. Ensure you get a solid night of sleep! I’m talking Oura Ring numbers in the 90s.

SATURDAY

We’re rested and refreshed after a chilled out Friday. Time to tackle Saturday head on.

Morning Workout

It doesn’t need to be a deathly-early workout class again, but we do need to get our bodies moving. We should feel great after a chill night and good sleep. Get your workout in and done with for the day.

Adult Chores

The most annoying part of being an adult is adulting. And if you work a corporate job you don’t usually have the luxury of running all your errands during a work week. So immediately after the workout we’re doing the productive things we need to do this weekend. Food shop, clean your house, pick up the dry cleaning, do life admin. Run around now so you can enjoy yourself later.

The Ritual of Getting Ready

We should be feeling good by this point. We worked out twice, got good sleep, did our chores. Now it’s time to prepare for Saturday night. As a woman, getting ready is a ritual. A formal practice that we take pride (and hours) in. Tonight, we’re picking an outfit that makes us feel confident AF. Do your hair and your makeup, because we’re…

Going Out Out

Saturday night is for having Funnnnnn. Again this is totally subjective to whatever you like to do for fun but ideally you’re heading out. Maybe you have a hot date, or you dance all night at a club, or a concert, or you’re celebrating a friend’s birthday with a 10pm dinner at a super chic restaurant. This is our night to really let loose. Check out that new cocktail bar, order dessert, always say yes to the night cap. If you have kids, this is definitely where you get the babysitter.

SUNDAY

Saturday is for our inner sinner. Sunday is for the saints.

Slow Mornings

During my perfect weekend, I take Sunday morning extra slow. No workout class, no alarm clocks, nowhere to be before noon. Coffee in bed, a morning romp in the sheets, banana pancakes. Time slows because you have no agenda.

Wholesome Fun

Then I like to add a little something cultured into my Sunday. Last week I hit up a few vintage stores in the East Village. This Sunday I have a solo date with myself to get a facial and then go to the Met. Don’t overthink it. Maybe it’s just an hour long walk around a new neighborhood. If it’s pouring rain, no worries—watch a good documentary. My only requirement here is that it’s phone-free time.

Sunday Dinner

Cap off the weekend with a proper feel good meal. For me, an Italian-American from New York, Sunday dinner is always pasta, meatballs, bread, and wine. If I’m not meeting up with my usual Sunday dinner crew (immediate and extended family, party of 12 at my nana’s house) then my boyfriend and I make our own. It’s not meant to be rushed. Sunday is for lingering. A warm meal that embraces your senses.

It’s the perfect end to a well-rounded weekend.

You took care of yourself and took care of your chores, you had guilt-free down time and voracious fun, you had alone time and social time. You did interesting things and sometimes you did nothing.

When someone inevitably asks how your weekend was come Monday, you can say: it was perfect.