South Africa has quite a few public holidays – allowing us a few long weekends here and there. This year though, we must contend with several mid-week public holidays, which makes planning a touch difficult, and let’s face it, can disrupt our routines.
But there are several ways you can make the most out of a mid-week public holiday, so it doesn’t feel like a waste or like you’re being hit with the Sunday blues a few days too early.
Make it a personal admin day
If you don’t want to laze around, make a mid-weekday off a personal admin day. Use those extra 8 hours to get your licence renewed, take your car to the carwash, or clear out your cupboard.
You can use that time to do all the chores that you keep putting off. This way, you can feel like you’ve accomplished something without feeling like you’re wasting your day off.
However, considering it’s a mid-week break, perhaps don’t take on any extraneous DIY jobs. It might make you feel tired for the rest of the work week, and you might not finish the project. Not finishing tasks defeats the point of trying to clear your plate for the weekend.
Get ahead on work
Yes – you are 100% entitled to switch your phone off, stow away your laptop and take a break. But, let’s face it, sometimes there’s just not enough hours in a day to complete everything.
So, why not take this “extra” day and spend it finishing up on work tasks? Or getting ahead on any projects that might lead to working on weekends or spending extra hours in the office later down the line? You can still switch your phone off and avoid answering emails, but you’ll still feel like you’ve accomplished something.
Plan a short day trip
Public holidays are always a great excuse to escape the busyness of life, but getaways don’t have to be reserved for long weekends. Several day trips around the country can offer you the perfect mid-week break.
Those in Durban and Cape Town often head to the Midlands and Cederberg, respectively, during these blessed days off. So why not take advantage of this day and spend it exploring the best SA has to offer?
Make it a self-care day
Sometimes, a mid-week public holiday is the perfect excuse to sit back, relax, and vegetate. Start that series you’ve been dying to watch or pick up that book that’s been sitting on your to-be-read pile for months.
Or you can treat it as a proper self-care pamper day. Do your nails, pop on the face and hair mask, and just relax.
A mid-week public holiday may feel like a waste, but it’s the perfect day to gain a few extra hours to do whatever you want. This way, we won’t feel like we’re wasting our weekends.
Compiled by: Jade McGee
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