These are troubled times we are living in.
Global war has sent everyday prices through the roof, everyone hates each other and our PM is about as reassuring as a cat in a canary mine.
Basically the world’s buggered and we should all just give up right?
Enter a much needed Easter long weekend.
Four days where the world is not a flaming dumpster pile but a sweet oyster ripe for the slurping.
Relaxation is a past time Australians historically need no assistance with however in light of recent events we’ve compiled what could be considered a reminder list.
The fact that this writer will likely be spending his long weekend largely in the pub and uncontactable via phone, email or carrier pigeon should not be viewed as an endorsement of such reprehensible behaviour nor mutually exclusive with the below activities.
Things you should do this long weekend:
Smell the roses. Touch grass (go for a walk): with the exclusion of those who have the misfortune of living in Woop Woop, Australia is blessed with a large amount of very beautiful parks.
In the age of TikTok and five second attention spans we arm ourselves with simple weapons in this fight and few are as effective as the humble afternoon stroll. Wield it well.
Leave the headphones at home if you’re feeling particularly brave. You might hear a bird. You might even hear your own thoughts. Frightening stuff, but ultimately character building.
Go to the beach: Despite the heralding across parts of Australia in this past week of our entry into the cooler months the clouds have parted cooperatively and the sun is shining on our beaches.
If you are lucky enough to live in an area with a swimmable body of water (sorry Melbournians) head down to your local watering hole and refresh yourself with one of the great Aussie pastimes.
Watch a movie: there’s nothing good on at the moment (I haven’t checked) but one small benefit of living in 2026 is most of us have access to the internet and with it a vast trove of cinema.
I recommend Indiana Jones or Arthur and the Minimoys.
Treat yourself to a big meal: They say food is nourishment for the soul and this soul needs a feast.
Spag bol, fried rice, full roast, fry up, butter chicken: comfort food is the name of the game and the belly does not discriminate.
Cook it yourself if you’re feeling productive, or outsource the responsibility and support your local takeaway.
Fill up on petrol, it’s the perfect time for it: Just kidding, please don’t do this.
Spend time with friends and family: It’s good to interact with people. If you hate your family find some people you do like and spend time with them, you can even combine it with one of the other things on this list.
Put down the phone: Arguably the hardest one. The little glowing rectangle has a remarkable ability to convince you that everything everywhere is urgent and terrible. Unless you’re a Government employee the world will not stop spinning if you switch off for a time.
Do nothing: Watch paint dry, kick rocks, watch the grass grow, fart around.
There’s no shame in blocking out some time to do nothing. If it’s good enough for some monks (they call it meditating) or a cow or a sheep (they don’t call it anything they’re cows) then it’s good enough for you.
Four days isn’t enough to fix the world. But it’s enough to offer some small escape from it.
Remember to take care of yourself and those around you.
