"「週末や休暇のために生きているなら、それはおかしい。」"

Sometimes, life can feel like a grind. You know the drill: Monday rolls around and you’re already dreaming of Friday evening. But take a moment to think about that. If you’re just slogging through five days to get to two days you actually enjoy, something’s off. It’s like being on a treadmill that’s only ever at full speed, and you’re constantly waiting for that rare pause.

The core idea here is pretty straightforward: If the only times you truly look forward to are weekends and vacations, it’s a sign that your daily life isn’t fulfilling. It’s a wake-up call to examine how you’re spending your time and whether you’re genuinely happy with your day-to-day existence.

Historically, this sentiment has been echoed by many thought leaders, often in the context of work-life balance. Consider the Industrial Revolution: people worked long hours in harsh conditions, and weekends were a treasured reprieve. But we’ve evolved—our jobs don’t have to be soul-sucking. We have more choices now. It’s about finding a way to integrate joy and meaning into our everyday lives, rather than waiting for those fleeting breaks.

Let’s dive into a real-life example. Think about John, an accountant at a big firm. He’s good at his job, but every morning feels like he’s bracing himself for a storm. He lives for Friday evenings when he can finally unwind, and vacations are his only true escape. Now, compare John’s life to Sarah’s. Sarah also works in finance, but she’s found a way to incorporate her passion for painting into her everyday routine. She wakes up early to paint for an hour before heading to the office. She’s joined an art class on Wednesdays, and she’s even started bringing a little more creativity into her work, finding ways to make her spreadsheets visually engaging. Sarah doesn’t just live for the weekends—she’s found a way to enjoy her weekdays too.

So, how can you apply this wisdom to your own life? Start by figuring out what brings you joy. Is it a hobby, a side project, time with family, or maybe something you’ve always wanted to try but never found the time for? Once you’ve identified it, carve out moments in your daily routine to engage with these activities. It doesn’t have to be a massive time commitment—even 30 minutes a day can make a huge difference.

Imagine this scenario: You’ve always loved playing the guitar, but it’s been gathering dust in the corner of your room. Instead of just waiting for the weekend to pick it up, you decide to set aside 15 minutes every evening to strum a few chords. At first, it feels a bit forced, but after a week or two, you find yourself looking forward to those 15 minutes. It’s a small change, but it makes your weekdays a bit more enjoyable.

By integrating small pockets of joy into your daily life, you’ll find that you’re not just living for the weekends anymore. You’re living every day with a bit more purpose, a bit more happiness. And really, isn’t that what we all want? Life’s too short to only enjoy two days out of seven.