The Perfect Saturday
For a long time, I thought the perfect Saturday meant being everywhere.
Clubs. House parties. Friends’ gatherings. If something was happening, I was there. Call me “Pat” — party all the time. Honestly, it fit. Home was just where I slept, changed clothes, and grabbed something to eat before heading back out.
Even after that season slowed down, I didn’t. I was still moving — cleaning something, rearranging something, finding something to do. Sitting still just wasn’t part of the plan.
When Everything Shifted
About six months ago, something changed.
Instead of filling every minute, I started letting a few minutes just be. At first, it felt strange. However, the quiet didn’t last long before it started feeling… good.
These days, the perfect Saturday looks different.
Today, I ran a couple of errands and bought too many Honeycrisps and Cosmic Crisps — because if you know, you know. After that, I came home and made my own version of a Filet-O-Fish. Mine is better. And healthier. Period.
Meanwhile, a pot of spaghetti sauce simmered on the stove. I always let it go low and slow because it tastes better the next day. While that was working, I took a long hot bath. No rushing. No pressure.
Redefining The Perfect Saturday
Later, I made fresh pineapple simple syrup for my sparkling water. Years ago, I gave up pop (soda if you’re not from Chicago). Since then, I’ve preferred making my own flavors. No artificial sweeteners — just a little sweetness and sometimes a small kick of heat. Some things about me haven’t changed.
At one point, my niece called and asked what I did today.
I told her, “I minded my own business.”
It sounds snarky, but she knew exactly what I meant.
She laughed. “Seriously? You’re sitting still?”
“Yes, Missy. I am. And I’m good with it.”
Because now, the perfect Saturday isn’t about being everywhere, it’s about being present. It’s about letting sauce marinate and letting your thoughts settle. It’s about choosing calm over chaos.
In the end, the perfect Saturday is simple. A cold glass of sparkling water. A rerun on television. A quiet house.
Peace feels better than the party ever did.
Don’t get it twisted — I still enjoy a good celebration. I’ve just learned that calm can be just as fulfilling, and it lasts a little longer.
Tonight, I’ll pour that cold glass of sparkling water, find a rerun on television, and settle into what now feels like the most honest version of the perfect Saturday.
And I’m good with that. In fact — I love it. 🤍
