From the Archives, written April 13, 2024.
To set the stage: I wrote this post on day 3 of my date weekend, an emergency prescription to keep the wheels on the bus during my last month of senior year. Here I am, feeling the August and the last glimmers of summer fade… and it still feels like a relevant message, especially for any of you heading back to school :’).
Hello you wonderful humans! Happy Sunday. I am reporting to you live from day 3 of my date weekend. For context: this semester has been jam-packed and after another weekend trip last weekend, I was officially fried. Last Sunday, I gulped in anticipation, acknowledging I had another loaded week ahead of me — my 22nd birthday on Wednesday and a departure for Coachella on Thursday. (Champagne problem of the highest tier, tell me about it.) The wires in my brain were beginning to short fuse.
You’d think I would’ve slowed down, but instead I tried to push through. I enjoyed (?) a loaded Monday and launched right into Tuesday, feeling hurried and still groggy from sleep deprivation. My room was messy and it felt like an honest representation of my chaotic mental landscape. Tuesday morning, I paused to check in with some of my lovely friends who were wrapping up their Bible study. Feeling my need for peace, I plopped down on the grass to join them. *Fifteen minutes later* As we all concluded and went to head our separate ways, my stomach sank. I did not like the way my bag — and, inevitably, my water bottle inside — were leaning. Sure enough, I had completely soaked my already-under-duress 2015 Mac Book Pro.
By this point, I was crying at the Village Apple Repair Shop, and, thereafter, on one of the benches. I couldn’t even be bothered with the fact I was in public. The message I heard (loud and clear): “Fiona, you need to slow down.” It’s an encouragement I’d be hearing in gentle whispers, but choosing to ignore. Finally, God gave me a sign I couldn’t shrug off.
Cue, a decision rapidly crystallizing: it was time to sell my Coachella ticker. Making “responsible” decisions in college can suck. I know the working world awaits me, and I won’t be able to caravan off to Palm Desert for three days to listen to house music with my friends (in really awesome outfits). But, I also feared I would not survive another week of hurry, feeling far from the version of myself I enjoy embodying. I simplified my over-complicated life (week) and, suddenly, I felt a shift. I was beginning to create space for myself, and I could feel myself softening.
Best of all, this newfound head- and calendar-space made room for me to soak in my 22nd birthday last Wednesday. It was a day filled to the brim with joy. Solo yoga in Silverlake. My finance class got out early!!! For once! My roommates and I laid out back in the sunshine, listening to country music and reading. I set an adorable (if I say so myself) dinner table and my roommates and I dined over Jon & Vinny’s takeout and Aperol Spritzes. What more could a girl ask for?
The rest of the week was a recalibration. Catching up on work. Doing laundry. So. Much. SLEEPING! Slowing down. Softening. Friday-Sunday were reserved for all these activities with a twist: I was prescribed a date weekend.
I have the joy of working with Marta Brummell, a life coach and phenomenal human. She saw me verging a meltdown (and, let’s be honest, melting down) last week, and highly encouraged I take a weekend to spend some time with me. My mom had the same request — I'm not sure she would’ve slept this weekend had I gone to Coachella.
Deets from my Date Weekend:
Friday:
Long campus walk with Claire & Emily
Tennis Match (trying something new! Woo!)
Movie night!!! Fever Pitch - so cute. Ice Cream included.
Saturday:
Yoga
La Colombe (please put strawberry in EVERYTHING. Their strawberry draft latte is divine.)
Errand
Maggie Rogers’s new album on loop. Lots of singing in the car.
Playing piano at Ivy
Sunday:
Church
Airport pick-up and impromptu fabulous lunch in MB with KJ
Yoga
laundry
chitchatting with Claire
Preparing for my week ahead
Average sleep score: 81.5
And suddenly, I felt like me again.
This is my public endorsement for taking a semi-regular date weekend. They work wonders.
Xx, Fi
