The Day That Amplifies Our Desire to Escape

Emil Lykke Grann

August 11, 2024

Following the theme of my last post, let’s dive into the phenomenon of Friday. What is it about Friday that influences so many people? “Finally, it’s Friday,” they say. But what exactly does that mean?

Sure, Friday marks the beginning of the weekend, and I’m the first to admit that I love going out and enjoying myself on a Friday night. But let’s not forget that the weekend only starts after you’ve finished your work or school for the day. So why does the mere fact that it’s Friday seem to affect how people approach their responsibilities? Why does Friday so often become a day to slack off rather than a day to maintain focus and dedication?

Now, don’t get me wrong – I’m all for partying and letting loose on Fridays. After all, it’s the day that kicks off the weekend! But here’s where I take issue: too many people let the anticipation of the weekend hinder their productivity during the day. Why shouldn’t you tackle that challenging task on a Friday? Why shouldn’t you stick to your training routine or finish your homework? It’s almost as if we’ve collectively decided that Friday is a day to mentally check out early.

This might be a subjective view, but I see too many people rushing to leave work or school early, eager to start the weekend prematurely. But what if, instead of always longing for the next thing – the weekend, a different place, or other people – we focused on being present in the moment? What if we gave our full attention to the tasks at hand, no matter the day?

In the end, it seems like my issue isn’t with Friday itself but with how it amplifies a trait I find troubling: the tendency to want to be somewhere else or with someone else rather than fully engaging with the people and tasks right in front of us. Perhaps Friday, more than any other day, enhances this restless desire to escape.