Selfish Weekend Redux
If you follow me on the social networks, you might have seen that I decided to dub this past weekend “Crazy, Selfish, Indulgent Weekend.” I chronicled my activities this weekend on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+. I got a lot of questions in all these media about the origin of the weekend, why I was choosing to be public about what I was doing, etc. I even got an email from a journalist asking me if I was trying to start a meme.
I wasn’t, but that being said, I think everyone needs a “Crazy, Selfish, Indulgent Weekend” every now and again. So here’s the skinny: I was feeling spent. I have been giving a lot of myself to others lately, sacrificing a great deal to make others happy, putting myself in a position where I know I’m going to not be happy. And one can only do that for so long… I think many of us in public service tend to be like this — give, give, give…until it damages us.
To rectify that, on Friday night I spontaneously planned my weekend to include as many of my favorite things as possible. There were 13 parts to my two days of awesomeness (and no, I didn’t plan for 13 to be all goth-y and stuff; it just happened). I decided to be public about it for a number of reasons, chief of which was to encourage others to be selfish too…even if only for a little while.
Here is a chronicle of my self-indulgence, copied from my Google+ posts. Judge me if you will, but you know what? It was probably the best weekend I’ve ever had in my life. Feel free to copy and remix! 🙂
#SelfishWeekend Part 1: This is what a blissed out post-massage-with-hot-guy Sarah looks like. That’s right…I picked the hot guy on purpose. It is #SelfishWeekend, after all.
#SelfishWeekend Part 2: Walking straight past a library branch & not going in to look around.
#SelfishWeekend Part 3: Favorite meal #1 (@ Cha-Ya) – fresh handmade udon noodles w/ vegetable tempura & genmai cha tea.
#SelfishWeekend Part 4: Walking thru the Castro looking at all the beautiful gay boys.
#SelfishWeekend Part 5: Favorite meal #2 (Lilah Belle’s) – organic roasted veggies & hummus (best I’ve ever had).
#SelfishWeekend Part 6: Favorite meal #3 (Herbivore) – soy chicken shawarma.
#SelfishWeekend Part 7: kitten loooooooove
#SelfishWeekend Part 8: Dancing at the Cat Club in SF. Getting my 80s groove on.
#SelfishWeekend Part 9: Snuggling in a warm blanket w/ my kitties, eating a vegan hot fudge brownie sundae for brunch, & watching Mad Men.
#SelfishWeekend Part 10: Driving Highway 1 along the West Marin coast, listening to Bon Iver.
#SelfishWeekend Part 11: Hiking in the redwoods of Mt. Tamalpais.
#SelfishWeekend Part 12: Wading in the icy tidepools of Muir Beach.
#SelfishWeekend Part 13: Attending the Marin Shakespeare Company’s steampunk production of The Tempest.
So yes…that’s what I did. And I’d do it again. I might, perhaps, do all the hiking and other physical activity first, before staying out until 3am dancing 😉 I think the decadent food day would have made more sense post-drinking-dancing night. Seriously, though…I think we could all use some more self-love and inward focus. Nurture yourself so you can nurture others. Take some time for yourself. You’ve earned it.
September 14th, 2011 at 8:43 am
I pick the hot massage men, too. 🙂
September 14th, 2011 at 5:44 pm
Come back to Australia Sarah! So many up-tight people here who need to follow this example! You have a fearsome amount of energy, but all batteries need re-charging!
September 14th, 2011 at 5:45 pm
I will happily come back to Australia! Anyone want to send me a couple of round trip tickets? I’ll work for you for free if you do!
September 15th, 2011 at 3:34 pm
Good for you! Next step on the level… plan a treat for your self every month (or week). Maybe just one, but that is my calvinistic upbringing 😉 not to spoil yourself LOL
September 17th, 2011 at 1:39 pm
This is inspiring…I am going to plan an indulgently selfish weekend soon. Or maybe just make a list of things I would do during that time and space them out throughout the week!
October 17th, 2011 at 4:09 pm
my self indulgent weekend is coming to internet librarian.
think i’ll follow your advice and do a real self indulgent weekend when i get back home 🙂
November 11th, 2011 at 2:50 pm
love this. part 10 is my favorite. I think I’m going to do that myself this weekend.