Let’s be honest: weekends are weird. They show up fast, disappear even faster, and if you’re not careful, you’ll blink and it’s Sunday night and you’ve done… laundry and scrolled Instagram until your eyeballs hurt.

But here’s the thing—some people seem to have weekends totally figured out. Their faces are glowing (not just from the sunlight, but like, internally), their vibes are peaceful, and they walk into Monday looking like they’ve just returned from a week at a spa. What’s their secret?

Spoiler: it’s not about doing more. It’s about doing the right things—the ones that actually bring joy. These folks have little rituals they turn to every weekend. Not because a self-help book told them to. But because it makes them feel grounded, connected, and, well… happy.

So let’s sneak a peek into what these weekend rituals look like. And hey, maybe steal a few for ourselves.

1. The Slow Start: Waking Up With Intention (Not an Alarm)

1.1 They Let Their Bodies Decide When to Wake Up

No alarms. No snoozes. Just letting your body wake up when it’s ready. Happy people don’t start their Saturdays with panic. They start them with peace. The sun peeks through the curtain, the birds do their thing, and somewhere around 8 or 9, they finally stretch and roll out of bed. No rush.

1.2 Morning Routines That Feel Like Rituals

They’re not rushing into a to-do list. They’re doing little things that feel nice. Maybe it’s lighting a candle, pouring that first hot coffee, or watering the plants while still in pyjamas. These aren’t “productive” activities in the traditional sense, but they set the tone. And the tone is slow, gentle, unbothered.

1.3 Breakfast Is a Whole Vibe

Weekday breakfast? Sad toast eaten over the sink. Weekend breakfast? Fluffy scrambled eggs with herbs, maybe pancakes, maybe smoothies, maybe a baguette they bought from that market they love. And they sit down to eat. With music. Or a podcast. Or quiet. No multitasking. Just… breakfast.

1.4 No Phones for a While

You know what kills a peaceful morning? Doom Scrolling. Happy people tend to keep their phones out of sight for the first hour (or two) of the day. No emails. No social media rabbit holes. Just a little digital silence so their brains can wake up slowly.

1.5 Something Just for Them

Maybe they journal. Maybe they read. Maybe they sit on the porch with their dog. It doesn’t have to be big. But it’s something that reminds them: “Hey, this time is mine.”

2. Play Mode: How Happy People Actually Enjoy Their Free Time

2.1 They Still Play Like Kids (But Cooler)

Here’s the truth: adults need to play too. Seriously. Whether it’s painting miniatures, building LEGO sets, or diving into a new video game, joyful people give themselves permission to be silly, curious, and creatively unhinged.

2.2 Escape with Games. Anywhere. Any Time. Any Device.

This one’s a favourite. Because now, you don’t need a PlayStation or an entire friend group in your living room. You can just grab your phone or tablet and escape into classic games—whether you’re at home, on a train, or chilling at a café. It’s not just about entertainment. It’s about joy that fits right in your pocket.

2.3 Getting Outside Without Making It a Thing

Happy people go outside. A lot. But they’re not always doing intense hikes or extreme sports. Sometimes it’s just a walk to the corner store, or reading in the park, or sipping tea on the porch. Nature—even the tiniest bit—works wonders on the nervous system.

2.4 Hobbies That Don’t Have to Be Productive

They bake bread that might not rise. They try watercolour painting and proudly show off their wonky trees. They learn guitar chords and butcher a Taylor Swift song. It’s not about being good at it. It’s about doing it for the fun of it.

2.5 Saying “Yes” More

Someone invites them to a weird pottery class? Sure. Their neighbour’s kid is selling lemonade? Heck yes, they’ll buy two cups. The happiest people tend to say yes to little experiences. And that “why not?” Energy keeps life fun.

3. The Art of Doing Nothing (On Purpose)

3.1 Scheduled Downtime

Here’s something wild: they plan to do nothing. Like, they literally block out an afternoon where the only agenda item is “sit around and stare at clouds.” And because they protect that space, they actually get to unwind.

3.2 Couch Time Without Guilt

Bingeing a comfort show? Napping with the dog? Sitting on the floor flipping through a cookbook they’re never gonna use? Totally acceptable. Happy people don’t shame themselves for resting. They make space for it.

3.3 Being Alone—But Not Lonely

There’s a difference, and they get it. They might go to brunch with friends, but they’ll also carve out a quiet hour to just be alone. Maybe it’s journaling. Maybe it’s just lying on the floor listening to a vinyl record. Either way, they find peace in their own company.

3.4 Letting Things Be Messy

The laundry might not get folded. The car might stay dirty. The to-do list might be untouched. But they’ve learned to let some things slide so they can make space for the good stuff. Messy isn’t bad—it’s real.

3.5 Naps. Lots of Naps.

We don’t talk enough about the magic of weekend naps. Ten minutes? Great. Two hours? Also great. Happy people know that rest isn’t wasted time. It’s fuel.

4. Creative Joy: Making Stuff for the Hell of It

4.1 Cooking as a Love Language (To Self and Others)

Weekends are when the cooking experiments come out. That weird curry recipe? That three-hour bread? Now’s the time. Happy folks make time to cook—not just to eat—but because it’s fun, creative, and deeply comforting.

4.2 Writing, Even if No One Reads It

Poetry, journal entries, messy novel drafts… whatever it is, happy people often write just because it feels good. Not everything has to be shared or published. Sometimes the best stories are the ones we keep to ourselves.

4.3 Little Projects That Spark Big Smiles

Rearranging a bookshelf. Organising the craft drawer. Making mood boards. These might seem small, but they’re fun, creative, and they remind us we’re in control of our space.

4.4 Reading Just Because

Not because it’s on a syllabus. Not because it’s “what everyone’s reading right now.” Just because they want to. Happy people will devour fantasy sagas, cheesy romance, heavy nonfiction—whatever scratches the itch.

4.5 Music, Art, and Mess

Dancing in the kitchen. Sketching while listening to old-school hip-hop. Playing piano badly. Creating stuff is a form of therapy. Happy people lean into it—mess and all.

5. Connection & Reflection: The Heart of It All

5.1 People Time Without the Chaos

It doesn’t always mean parties or big plans. Sometimes it’s just calling their mom. Sitting with a friend on the porch. Hosting a low-key dinner where everyone brings a dish. The happiest people value connection, but not performance.

5.2 Rituals With Their People

Sunday night takeout. Saturday morning farmer’s market. Game night. A shared routine builds closeness and gives everyone something to look forward to.

5.3 Checking In With Themselves

A little journaling. A solo walk with no podcast. Even five minutes of stillness to ask, “How am I really doing?” It’s not always comfortable, but it helps them stay aligned.

5.4 No Performative Positivity

They don’t fake smiles or pretend everything’s fine. They let themselves feel what they feel. And because they’re real about their emotions, their joy is real, too.

6. How They End the Weekend (Without That Sunday Scaries Spiral)

6.1 The Sunday Reset

Laundry, a little cleaning, maybe prepping lunches for the week—it’s low-key, not obsessive. It’s about clearing space so Monday doesn’t feel like a train wreck.

6.2 A Cosy Sendoff

They have their Sunday night rituals. A certain meal. A cup of tea. A favorite blanket. Something that signals: the weekend was good, and Monday can wait until tomorrow.

6.3 Reflecting, Not Regretting

Instead of “ugh, I wasted my weekend,” it’s more like, “wow, I really needed that nap,” or “that walk was everything.” They see value in the little things. Because joy isn’t always loud.

6.4 Prepping the Good Stuff

Maybe they pick an outfit they love. Queue up a playlist. Make plans for after work on Monday. It’s not about bracing for the worst—it’s about giving themselves things to look forward to.

6.5 One Last Moment of Peace

Before bed, there’s usually one last quiet thing: a hot shower. A favourite book. Just sitting in the dark with a candle flickering. It doesn’t have to be much. But it’s intentional. And it says, “I took care of myself this weekend.”

It’s Not About a Perfect Weekend—It’s About a Real One

Here’s the deal. You don’t need to transform your weekend into a Pinterest board or squeeze in every wellness hack known to mankind. You just need to feel like your weekend was yours. That’s what happy people have figured out. They’ve traded “doing it all” for “doing what matters.” And guess what? That changes everything.

So maybe next weekend, don’t try to fix your life. Just try to live a little more like it’s already pretty great. Chances are, it is.

Image: Via Pexels