Your Memorial Day Weekend

By Lev Novak

So it’s Memorial Day weekend coming up, and that means a lot of things. It’s the start of summer, a three day weekend, crowded around what would otherwise be a solemn holiday about remembrance.

Kind of tricky, right?

So what should you be doing this weekend?

1. Plan It

If you don’t have anything to do but a chill weekend, you’re going to feel bad and stupid because the internet is going to be off and popping with barbecue pictures.

If you have nothing going on but Netflix, rest, and perhaps something tasteful, consider photoshopping yourself on to a dinosaur while eating a messy plate of ribs. The internet is a tricky game, but we play to win.

If, for some reason, you care more about doing things than posting about it online, you still should get an activity going. It’s a three day weekend, but no matter what…

2. Skip Traffic

Monday is going to be terrible if you’re driving. It’s best to leave Sunday and split your weekend into two parts- the fun adventure part and then a bonus chill day on Monday to immediately follow it.

That’s the best way to do it and that way you get two different approaches of a weekend to enjoy.

Plus, you’ll miss all the traffic and waiting and stress on the commute back. Nothing undoes the restful weekend quite like a traffic mess right as you’re coming back for work.

3. Remember Others

Memorial day is about memory on top of everything else, and it’s important and powerful to appreciate the context of your actions. You’re enjoying the day off, which is great, but why? Who doesn’t? What is the world like outside of your bubble and world?

There’s no need to be solemn or get competitive about your reflecting skills, but it’s a good opportunity to take stock of your life and the lives of those around you. Besides, it’s also the start of the summer: it’s basically the New Year’s Eve of the warmer months, so now is as good a time as any to take stock and make plans.

4. Don’t Sweat It

The summer is long and there’s no need to overly focus on one weekend. If the weather isn’t cooperative or your plans are lackluster, you should remind yourself that this is just the very tip of the summer, and so much lays behind it for you to reach. I know, I know- you made plans. You wanted things to work. But even if they don’t, remember- it’s a three day weekend, and it’s evidence, finally, that summer is on its way.

Even if your Memorial Day weekend isn’t everything you’d like it to be, remember that: it’s a three day weekend that serves as a reminder of the summer ahead. Even if you can’t be grilling, you can be chilling.

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