Saturday, August 11, 2018
Protecting Your Weekend From Work Spillover
- Published
- 3:50 PM
- Author
- Comments
- 0
Updated September 2026: in 2018 I wrote about a Saturday after a pointless work call, when a pile of unwashed dishes and hunger left me short-tempered with my wife on the phone, before I cleaned up, cooked, and settled in for the cricket. I have rewritten it into advice on protecting a weekend from work spillover.
After an unimportant Saturday morning call, I killed time watching television until noon. When hunger arrived, I realised I had not washed the dishes, which frustrated me more. My wife rang to ask whether I had eaten, knowing I often skip lunch without reminders, and I snapped at her about the dishes. I did not want to order food, since it is expensive and sometimes worse than my own cooking. So I cleaned up and cooked, and after a good lunch looked forward to India's Test match against England later that afternoon.
Why does a small work call spoil a whole day?
Because it breaks the day's rhythm. You wake early, wait around, and the rest of the day feels half at work. Frustration then spills into small things, as it did for me.
How do you get a weekend back after a work call?
- Close the laptop afterwards: and put it out of sight.
- Plan the rest of the day: a meal, an outing or a film.
- Do chores early: so they do not ambush you later.
- Eat on time: hunger makes every annoyance larger.
How do you avoid taking frustration out on family?
Notice the moment and name it: "Sorry, the work call has put me in a bad mood." Apologise quickly if you snap. The people who check on you are rarely the cause of the problem.
Is cooking at home worth the effort?
Usually, for cost and health, and it is a good way to reset after work. Keeping a few simple ingredients ready makes it easier on tired days.
What is the lesson?
Work will sometimes take part of a weekend. Guard the rest deliberately, and be kind to the people who look out for you.
No comments
Post a Comment