50 Days 'Til 50 Days 4, 5, & 6--Long Weekends?

Long Weekends?It occurred to me as I start to watch friends, family members, and other people in my life prepare for the upcoming long weekend that this is a concept completely foreign to me. I have worked many a long weekend but rarely have I enjoyed the concept of being off for a complete run of 3 days in a row. Of course it’s been of my choosing, the beauty industry, and Saturdays are religiously our busiest days of the week as are weddings and events that require me being available all the more. When I first started out and was working full time in a salon that wasn’t located in a mall, traditionally Sundays and Mondays were our weekends. There is even a code called “Industry Nights” which usually are Sunday or Monday nights for all those who work in the hospitality industry and share such erratic schedules. I grew over the years to love my Mondays off, as most businesses were open allowing me to do all my banking, grocery shopping, dry cleaners, etc. Back then businesses weren’t open on the weekends as much as they are in today’s world. Last year on a dream European vacation for a month I was amazed at how many businesses were closed on Sundays. A bit annoyed at times, but then remembering back to the days when most places were closed on Sundays and we didn’t work ourselves to death 7 days a week like we do now.I remember when the holidays would be on their respective calendar days and then when they were eventually all squeezed together on dedicated Mondays. This did me no good either, as I was already off on Mondays. Even when holidays were added to the calendar, they all seemed to fall on a Monday. Then after some time passed the salons started opening on Mondays as well and even Sundays. I was horrified for when was I to have even one day off, let alone 3 in a row?Having grown up in the hotel industry I suppose I was programmed from a young child to be around parents who worked most holidays, most weekends, and long into the evening hours. We always managed to squeak out a traditional holiday meal and time together though and for that I am truly grateful. I don’t know how they managed to do it looking back now. Moms and Dads are pretty amazing. I guess its no surprise I would end up in some form of the service industry. An industry I still love to this day even as it’s become a 7-day a week operation in most cities and towns.Less afraid now than I used to be to say no I’ve become better at setting some boundaries for myself and I’ve become better at taking time off. I still can’t seem to squeeze out a 3-day weekend so that’s exactly what I'm going to do now. Lets see how the normal folk live and what they do for these next 3 days.Ill see you on the 7th with my next blog.For now, Happy 4th, 5th, and 6th of July.jf