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Original poster

If you work a 4 day week…

43 replies

Healthkick · 09/10/2023 13:41

What do you do on your day off?

I have recently reduced hours due to stress. I now have a Monday off. 2 children at school, husband at work.

i have done a food shop, tidied the house and prepared dinner to slow cook.

wondering what everyone else does? I feel like I need to be doing something valuable.

OP posts:
Poniesandrainbows · 09/10/2023 15:12

I go to the gym, do all the housework and study for my professional qualification.

Cotswoldbee · 09/10/2023 15:16

When I was working (now retired) my company (private sector) offered a range of attendance patterns and the favourite by far was the 4-day week, it wasn't reduced hours but just that the FT hours were condensed into 4-days.
I just used the day off to get on with normal tasks instead of trying to fit them into evenings, weekends etc.
The best bit was when going away, meant we could get away without the normal rush or get home and not have to worry about going into work the next day.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 09/10/2023 15:17

I don't work a Wednesday, and also don't have small children to think about. Most weeks I lie in a bit and will often get up and make a cup of tea, then go back to bed with that, the cat, and spend some time pottering about online. I always prepare something for that night's dinner that's a bit "fancier" than a usual midweek meal, and do a bit of housework. I try and book appointments on a Wednesday so might have a haircut, dental checkup, vet, optician or whatever, and sometimes I meet a friend for lunch or coffee. I usually do end up doing a little bit of work - at least replying to emails/Teams messages - to keep on top if things, and will often have a bath in the afternoon with my book, which feels very nice and relaxing.

I reduced to four days for mental health/work-life-balance reasons, so I try and do things for me and not just for the "good of the house" if I can.

Ionapussy · 09/10/2023 15:18

I go swimming or to pilates as soon as dcs dropped off. Go home and do housework. Sit in the garden/sofa for about an hour at some point and chill out.

Trickedbyadoughnut · 09/10/2023 15:22

Prioritise your mental health!

Read a book, have a bath, go for a walk, whatever makes you happy.

dollybird · 09/10/2023 15:24

I generally do housework and ironing in the morning, and read, cross stitch, watch TV in the afternoon. Then make sandwiches for next days lunch and dinner. It's nice to then have the evening free.

From this week though, I will be looking after my DGD on my day off, so will try and fit the jobs in around her naps. Will see how that works out!! I'm looking forward to it though (ask me again on Friday 😆).

Lovelyautumncolours · 09/10/2023 15:25

Do not feel you need to do something - let it go. I sometimes have days off where it's enough to do the school run, and just chill. I used to feel guilty but not anymore as like anyone with work and kids I have a lot on my plate so a rest day is just what I need sometimes

ordinarybarbie · 09/10/2023 15:27

I have a Friday off. My friend is also off on a Friday so we often go for a leisurely breakfast after the school run. After that it's usually a food shop, general tidy before the weekend and run any errands that I need to get out of the way.

gerbo · 09/10/2023 15:33

I have Monday pm and Tuesday pm off, so work 4 days all in. Three days are pretty long.

On my 2 afternoons I :

Batch cook for freezer
Prep dinner for that day
Appointments for children or me - orthodontist x 2, dentist, doctor
Appointments for dog- vet, getting grooming etc done
A dog walk!
Clean house (2-3 hours)
Loads of laundry
Ironing if needed
Life admin- pay bills, reply to emails,make phone calls, have tradespeople in if needed, go to post office to post birthday pressies etc
Do my weekly online shop for the forthcoming weekend
Drive kids to hobbies/collect them
Errands- dry cleaners, ironmongers etc

Oh, and afew hours of work too - joy.

Fupoffyagrasshole · 09/10/2023 15:42

i work 4 days - have a 2.5 year old though - so i just use it to spend day with her - and it's usually a day all about her tbh cus i feel guilty about not being with her the other 4 days lol

So usually it's soft play or swimming or something

i do get a bit of house stuff done when shes napping - some washing and tidying - but not much

SuddenlyOld · 09/10/2023 15:43

Hubby wfh so I generally try to go somewhere. Since I got a dog I take him somewhere nice, beach or a long walk in the hills. Before dog I used to walk 3 miles to town, mooch about in the bric a bac shops, get a coffee and walk home again. Either way it was always 'me' time

megletthesecond · 09/10/2023 15:45

Also gym / running / swimming. Don't waste the day just on errands and tidying.

meow1989 · 09/10/2023 15:45

I have a Wednesday off. After taking Ds to school I'll tidy up/clean the house, potter in the garden, maybe have a nap or see friends
Then walk to pick up D's and take him for an after school cafe trip, then play or go for a walk with him and cook a proper dinner.

I love my Wednesday's - I find a messy house stressful and cleaning mindful so I like the opportunity to have a sorted house for at least a few hours!

DilemmaDelilah · 09/10/2023 15:48

I tried to organise all appointments for Fridays, doctor, dentist, hair, massage. Supermarket shopping, either in person or online. Main housekeeping jobs wherever possible. 'Proper' cooking, e.g. things that take time that I can cook in larger quantities and then freeze. Other things like birthday present shopping/wrapping/posting. For me it was whatever I would have been doing over the weekend, so that we could have a more relaxed weekend together.

angelispink · 09/10/2023 15:53

Same as you. It’s made a massive difference to our lives as now we don’t have to do all housework, chores, errands etc at the weekends.

If you’ve reduced hours due to stress I’d be wary of taking on another big commitment on your day off.

ChrissyShenkle · 09/10/2023 18:13

Absolutely bugger all, its fabulous

Goldmember · 09/10/2023 18:17

I'm FT now but on my days off I'd run errands, get beauty treatments, go to doctors / dentist, go to the gym, have a stroll round a nice park or outside space. Sometimes I'd go for a traipse around the Trafford Centre. It's just so lovely not to have to go shops on a weekend.

Princessfluffy · 09/10/2023 18:38

I used to schedule my appointments for my Friday off, get my groceries delivered and batch cook, plus do housework so that weekends are more relaxed for everyone.

It's important to have balance in your life though, so maybe think no about what area of your life is most neglected and give some time to that. Could be your physical or mental health, friendships or other relationships, a creative outlet, you will know what's right for you. "Me time" might be a cliche but it is important.

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