Just 'F-it' for regret-free weeknights

Photo by Emma Frances Logan on Unsplash

Sometimes it's the little things ... 

When I get home from my day job, I am often spent. DONE. And I don’t feel like doing one more thing. Nada one.
 
But if I give in to that feeling, it often leads to a visit from an old and sad friend of mine.
 
Let’s call her Regretta.
 
She wants more for me. She reminds me that I could have done more, even a little more, to make my evening, workweek and life better. Regretta looks down on mindless scrolling and streaming. She’s also not the biggest fan of our impressively stocked beer fridge.
 
She’s kind of a drag, but she wants what's best for me.
 
So … that’s why I came up with this Rock Your Chores weeknight game—to inspire me to do better. I played it all last week, and I don’t regret it.
 
How it works
The following F-words are pillars of well-being and happiness.
 
To win the game, you need to check a single box—no matter how small—in three of the five categories, before you call it an evening.
 
Here are the categories and some of my thoughts for each. Feel free to freestyle it though—with your own ideas. Remember, it’s just one small to-do in three out of five.

We need our rest and Netflix too, my friends.
 
1. Food
Do a little healthy food prep. Cut up veggies or fruit. Mix up a salad dressing. Boil some eggs. Make tomorrow’s lunch. Get something out of the freezer for dinner later in the week. Make my grocery list. Find a healthy recipe to try.
 
RYC confession time: If you cook dinner each night, you have this one on lock. I don’t. We try to bulk cook on weekends and I am married to someone who loves leftovers. I love him for that.
 
Side note: I am also still doing the dishes each night. On a sink streak, baby!
 
2. Fitness
Do a 10-minute core work. Get in some kettle bell swings. Hit the yoga mat for some stretching. Lay out workout clothes for the next day. Take the dog for a short walk after dinner. (Y'all know Boomer's onboard!)
 
3. Family & friends
Connect with someone I’ve been thinking of. Send a thoughtful text or email. Facetime with family. Make a date. Write an overdue thank you note. Have a screen-free chat with my hubby. Order a birthday gift.
 
Don’t underestimate the power of social ties. We need each other.
 
4. Finances
Pay a bill. Check my bank accounts or credit card statements online. Prepare an item to return. Research how to cut costs or save on a major purchase. File paperwork.
 
5. Fun & fulfillment
Do a favorite hobby (like making up games to make chores more fun). Read a real book. Work on a craft project. Play cards. Do a little gardening. (Spring will come one day, right?).
 
That’s it.

What I am learning: Taking simple, small steps consistently can add up to a better life. And hey, if it’s the weekend maybe I’ll really F-it and go 5-for-5.
 
What I like about this game:

• It helps me transition mentally from work to home.
• It keeps me from surrendering to complete sluggishness.
• It gives me an easy-to-remember framework to follow.
• It hits on things that make my evenings and life better.
• It moves me forward in small ways.

Say goodnight to weak nights!
You know I get bored easily, so this is just one version of my weeknight games. Stay tuned. I got a couple more up my mindset-bending, habit-changing sleeve.