Let's be honest, weekends in 2023 feel a bit like a fusion restaurant—exciting, different, but occasionally leaving you missing the simple pleasures you once knew. Life pre-COVID was like a playlist stuck on repeat, the familiarity being a double-edged sword. We worked all week looking forward to sleep-in Saturdays, brunch with friends, or hitting the movie theaters. But then, the world turned upside down and inside out. So, who changed weekends? Millennials, Gen Z, and even Boomers. What did they change? Practically everything, from how we socialize to how we 'weekend'. Unsurprisingly, when? Right after the pandemic shook every corner of society. Where? Globally, because every corner felt the tremors of change, and why? To cope, adapt, and ultimately, rediscover joy amid new normals.
These days, weekends aren't just two days tacked onto the end of the workweek. With remote jobs stretching to Saturdays and flexibility blending into our personal lives like a complicated smoothie mix, it's a bit tougher to draw those crisp lines. Weekend warriors now include gamers who spend hours battling it out on platforms, folks streaming binge-worthy shows with their chosen families, or budding chefs experimenting with sourdough starters and TikTok recipes. The routine? There isn’t one. The spontaneity mirrors our newfound freedom but also a hint of chaos.
Yet, this isn't a monolithic experience. Some people find the blending of work and play liberating. For others, it’s endless anxiety of always being 'on-call', a sentiment especially voiced by those who thrive on structure. However, the one thing we can all agree on is the extension of what we consider leisure activities. Cultural outings now include virtual museum tours, and pub trivia has gone from the local bar to online team contests.
Environmental and political consciousness is noticeably higher too. Weekend shopping sprees have morphed into minimalistic endeavors, with thrift markets booming and sustainability becoming more of a lifestyle than a trend. There’s a sense of personal activism tied to our time off, as we march in protests or engage in community service, turning passive observation into active participation. And as young people become louder voices in social change, the traditional party scene seems to hold less allure compared to a climate rally.
The value of 'time' has also reinvented itself. Remember when weekends meant cramming everything you couldn’t touch during the week into two overburdened days? Now, more people opt for slower, intentional living, savoring each moment instead of rushing through it. Taking time to meditate, read a book, or connect genuinely with loved ones feels like the new luxury weekend.
But it’s not just the activities that have evolved; it’s the way we see them. When you’re six Slack notifications deep on a Sunday morning, you realize remote work’s promise of ‘more free time’ might just be a myth. Yet, this isn’t to villainize technology. It’s worth acknowledging it’s a double-edged sword. Those Zoom calls that used to be buzzkills? They've become lifelines to relatives we can't meet in person and friends scattered across the globe.
And sure, let’s not romanticize the pre-pandemic weekends entirely. Back then, crowded bars with sticky floors and overpriced drinks were often more an obligatory sign of Saturday night than real enjoyment. Now we selectively venture out for outdoor gatherings, prioritizing health and safety. The appreciation for parks and open spaces has surged, as hiking and nature walks become mainstream weekend highlights.
Opposite views certainly exist. Some lament the digital shift, craving face-to-face interaction and intimate gatherings without the fear of health implications. Extroverts often feel the bite more sharply—missing those spontaneous gatherings with a dozen friends. Introverts, however, may see silver linings in quieter, less-distracted spaces where weekend plans don’t require extraverting energy.
Weekends are now adaptable, reflecting both what we've lost and what we've learned. We’ve taken an old pattern and turned it into a canvas, painting in spontaneous strokes of new traditions. For many, freedom itself is mesmerizing, even if it’s daunting at times. Yes, weekends look very different these days, but maybe different isn't always bad. Perhaps it's merely the opening chapter of a story we didn't expect to write but are learning to read.