“Friday is my day to do as I please.”
When my friend Daisy Wright shared this on LinkedIn, I paused. What a simple, yet radical act and declaration of freedom! Indeed, of joy!
That got me thinking—do I have a regular day to do as I please? Do you?
Not a day to catch up on chores.
Not a day to clear the backlog of emails, reports, and lingering tasks.
Not a day to recover from exhaustion.
Not even a birthday treat (though that’s special too).
Just a normal day.
A day to do what delights you.
A day to do what brings you joy.
For many of us, these days happen only by accident—when meetings get canceled, and suddenly, time opens up. But when that happens, do we actually use it for joy? Or do we fill it with more obligations?
Does the idea of a regular day of doing what pleases you please you? Despite all the calls on our time, here’s how we can make it a reality:
- VISION: Journal it. What does a day of pure pleasure look like for you? No limitations, no guilt – just joy. Also reflect on what might keep you from embracing a regular day of joy?. Maybe you’re thinking, “I’m too busy” or “There’s too much to do.” But let’s be honest — whether you take the day or not, there will always be more to do.
- PLAN: make a list of things that please you: A spa day? A long walk? Lunch with a friend? A museum visit? Sleeping in? Write down what truly pleases you and only you.
- SCHEDULE: Maybe you’re not at Daisy’s level of one day per week. Start with once a month. Put the dates for the rest of your year in your calendar and mark them as “busy.” I am calling my day to do as I please my “Just Because Day” because I don’t need any justification for it. What will you title yours in your calendar?
- PROTECT: Honour your commitment. Consider it an appointment that you MUST keep. When booking meetings, make sure to take your day into account: “I’m already fully booked — can you suggest another time?”
- JUST DO IT: No excuses. The world won’t fall apart if you take one day for yourself.
A day of doing what pleases you is more than an indulgence—it’s an act of leadership, a declaration that our well-being matters. As leaders, we owe it to ourselves and our teams to show up as our best selves. A simple way to do that is to give ourselves the joy and freedom of a regular day to do as we please. It reminds us that work is part of life—not separate from it—and that caring for our own joy might just be the best service we can offer those we lead and serve.
So, when will your first day for YOU be?
