"Holidays are the Protagonist of Life" — Learning the "Art of Weekend Design" from the World's Best

Good morning! This is pon.

Were you able to refresh yourself this past weekend?
If you answered "no," then...

I would like to introduce Shinji Koshikawa's book, "What the World's Best Do on Their Days Off"!

This book makes it easy to learn "how the world's top performers design and spend their holidays"!

It is a must-read for anyone who wants to improve how they spend their time off or achieve better results at work.

Book Information

*Includes affiliate links

Chapter 1: Are the Japanese Bad at "Taking Time Off"? — The Curse of Work Styles Inculcated Unconsciously

"What did you do this weekend?"

Many people might answer this question by saying, "I just slept the whole time" or "I was just watching videos."
I used to be the same way. Even though it was a holiday, I was left with nothing but self-loathing for having "done nothing."
But perhaps that is because we never had the opportunity to learn the "correct way to take time off."

This book, "What the World's Best Do on Their Days Off," is a volume that shakes the very foundations of the Japanese "common sense" regarding time off.

Is it normal to rest only after you're exhausted?

In Japan, there is a tendency to consider "working as much as possible" a virtue.
Working late and pushing yourself to the limit before finally resting.
I feel that this style is often described as "proof of effort."

That is precisely why I suspect many people unconsciously harbor a sense of guilt that "resting equals slacking off."
I believe this value system creates a vicious cycle where one "can only rest after becoming exhausted."

Are you truly "recovering"?

I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with spending your weekend lazily watching videos or scrolling through social media.
However, we need to pause and consider whether that is actually "recovery" or just "mental shutdown."

According to this book, many Japanese people use their holidays as "time to reset their minds and bodies."
However, because daily fatigue has accumulated too much, they have no physical or mental energy left to enjoy anything.
As a result, they have no choice but to just rest, and the phenomenon occurs where they are still not recovered by Monday...

The Decisive Difference in the Western "View of Holidays"

On the other hand, in Western countries, the idea that "holidays are the protagonist of life" is deeply rooted.
For example, in France, it is said that "the most important thing is family, followed by vacation," and
they value rest as "time to enrich one's own life."

For them, a holiday is not "given time off," but "time created by one's own will."
That is precisely why they can rest intentionally before getting tired and spend their time actively.

What is the structure that makes it difficult for Japanese people to take time off?

Furthermore, Japanese people have a cultural background of "not being able to rest because of concern for those around them."

• Difficulty taking paid leave due to worrying about the boss's mood

• Prioritizing the team

• The psychology of "feeling guilty for being the only one taking a break"

This atmosphere is supported by the unique Japanese value of prioritizing "group harmony."
As a result, taking a break itself has become a somewhat "guilty" action.

"How to rest" is a skill for the future

However, in this day and age, skills are required not only for how we work but also for how we rest.
This is because those who can rest well maintain better concentration, have higher productivity, and consequently achieve results in less time.

This book gently unravels the "guilt about resting" that we Japanese unconsciously harbor.
And it leads us to the "truly valuable way to spend holidays" that the world's best practice.

Chapter 2: "Holidays are the Protagonist of Life" - The Counterintuitive Thinking of the World's Best

What do you work for?

Many people might immediately answer this question with "for a living" or "for my family."
However, the world's top performers featured in this book, "What Do the World's Best Do on Their Holidays?"
design their days from the completely opposite perspective: "I work to enjoy my holidays."

Treating work as a "means," not an "end"

The world's best do not view work as the "protagonist" of their lives.
For them, work is a "means to make life richer," and
nothing more than a preparation period to enjoy the "protagonist time of holidays" to the fullest.

This book introduces many examples of how these top performers work and rest.

• Working with focus in the early morning and prioritizing time with family in the afternoon

• Not working at all on weekends, dedicating that time to hobbies and learning

• Avoiding working late at night to leave space for the mind and body

These are not merely "productivity hacks," but rather
what could be called life design for "living life on your own terms."

The strength of the perspective of "working to rest"

For those who think "holidays exist for the sake of work,"
the elite mindset of "working for the sake of holidays" might sound a bit extreme.

However, the essence of this way of thinking lies in the fact that **"you decide for yourself what to prioritize in life."**

They know that "what makes life fulfilling is not work, but private time."
That is precisely why they value their holidays and decide how to spend that time first.
And then,they work backward to figure out how to work efficiently to achieve that.

For many Japanese people, "work is the protagonist"

On the other hand, what about in Japan?
Daily schedules revolve around work, and holidays tend to be treated as "what's left over."

When we have a holiday with no plans, we might feel "I don't know what to do,"
or we might spend it sluggishly without ever shaking off the fatigue from work...
These may be signs that the consciousness of "using one's time by one's own will" is fading.

This book teaches us the importance of "placing holidays at the center of our lives."

People who live proactively schedule from their holidays

"The elite first 'secure their holidays' before planning their work schedule."

This way of thinking was shocking.
However, when you think about it, it is very rational.
People can live their days positively precisely because they have a way they wish to spend their time.

・Spending time leisurely with family
・Immersing yourself in hobbies
・Learning new skills
・Refreshing by connecting with nature

If you place such "time that drives your life" as the protagonist,
your way of thinking about work and how you use it should naturally change as well.

Hints to reclaim the "protagonist of your life"

For Japanese people, "working for the sake of holidays" might still be a bit difficult to get used to.
But, "deciding on your holidays first" is something anyone can do.

For example...

• Secure one Saturday a month to "use only for yourself"

• Create even just 2 hours a day of "time where you have decided what to do"

• Write down the places you want to go next month on your calendar in advance

This kind of “holiday-first schedule design”
should help you regain agency and energy in your life.

Chapter 3: Why do Japanese people only rest after they are exhausted?

“I wish I had rested sooner.”

Have you ever felt that regret when you caught a cold or felt mentally drained?
Even so, we tend to spend our days under the assumption that we must “work until we reach our limit.”

Why are Japanese people bad at “resting before getting tired”?
A “new way of resting” begins by facing that reason.

The days when “working hard was the right answer”

In the book “What the World’s Elite Do on Their Days Off,”
it is pointed out that a “faith in hard work” is deeply rooted in the Japanese way of working.

• Working more than others is praised

• Being busy equals being valuable

• The more tired you look, the more serious you seem

In this atmosphere, “enduring” is often prioritized over “resting.”
Unconsciously, we put ourselves last, thinking “I’m still okay” or “Taking a break is just being soft.”
This may be one of the reasons why we only rest after we are too tired.

The Japanese atmosphere that makes it “hard to take a break”

Another factor is the “atmosphere that makes it hard to take a break” that drifts through workplaces and society.

• It is hard to request paid leave before your boss does

• It is hard to be the “only one” to step away in a busy team

• Being asked “Do you have something to do?” itself becomes a pressure

Even though you should be able to take leave as a matter of policy,
the “eyes of those around you” and the “difficulty of speaking up” quietly apply the brakes.

“I have nothing to do even if I take a break”?

Surprisingly common is the sentiment, “Even if I take paid leave, there is nothing in particular I want to do.”
I have had the experience of hearing people around me say they had time on their hands like that many times.

In this book, it is explained that “not thinking about what you want to do on a regular basis”
is the “cause of not being able to use your time off effectively.”

When you don't have plans, you might find yourself mindlessly scrolling on your phone or turning on the TV...
Before you know it, the day is over, leaving you with nothing but a sense of emptiness, thinking, "I didn't really do anything."

Resting only after you are exhausted is a waste.

If you "rest only after you are tired," you have no energy left in your mind or body.
Lacking the motivation to spend your time actively, you end up just sleeping or lying around.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with that.
But it is a shame when you have things you want to do, yet your body won't move.

This book suggests that "the key to a truly fulfilling holiday is to rest before you get tired."
By creating space in advance, your time off becomes a period of "growth" and "creativity" rather than just "recovery."

The elite "secure their time off first" and then work.

The world's elite decide "when to take a break" first, and then design their work by working backward from that.

• Put "days off" into your schedule in advance.

• Organize your work tasks leading up to that day.

• Adjust your rhythm before you feel the fatigue.

This kind of "planning for rest" is the source of high performance.

Your "proactive rest" design plan

To practice "resting before you get tired," why not start with these actions?

• Write down your own "Special Day" on the calendar in advance every month.

• Make a "list of things I want to do on this day" before taking paid leave.

• Mark your schedule book with "this is off-time."

Please try filling in the following blanks in your own way:

• The day I want to take off this month is: ________

• The things I want to do on this day are: ________

• The preparations needed for that are: ________

Just by having a sense of actively designing "your own time off,"
the way you work and spend your days will surely change.

Chapter 4: First-Class Holiday Routines—The 3 Steps of Rest, Learning, and Preparation

"I have a day off, how should I spend it..."

Waking up aimlessly, starting the morning looking at your smartphone, and realizing it's already evening.
When holidays like that continue, you might feel like you've "wasted your time," right?

In this book, "What the World's Best Do on Their Days Off,"
it is introduced that top-tier people spend their holidays using "fixed steps."

That is the three-way use of time: "resting," "learning," and "preparing."

1. Saturday is for "resting well"

Top-tier people first put the "first half of the weekend = Saturday" into completely off-mode.

• A slow morning time

• Time to center yourself, such as through walks or meditation

• "Quiet time" away from smartphones and emails

The point is not to "just lounge around," but tointentionally rest your brain and body.
The book calls this time "conscious digital detox," and it places great importance on "rest" for the brain.

When I tried this habit myself,
I experienced a feeling of my heart suddenly becoming lighter just by stepping away from the "wave of information."

2. Sunday is for "learning" and "time for self-improvement"

Because you rested well on Saturday,
Sunday becomes a state where both your brain and body can engage in "active pursuits."

The book introduces that top-tier people do things like this on Sundays:

• Reading in fields of interest

• Attending art museums or music events

• Deepening self-dialogue through journaling

• Small hobbies or new challenges

It is impressive that they use Sunday not as "learning equals business skills," but as
time to cultivate intellect and sensibility.

In particular, engaging with reading and art creatively activates the brain, which has a positive impact on ideas and judgment from the start of the week.

3. Prepare for work just a little on Sunday night

At the end of a Sunday filled with learning and refreshment, set aside just 30 minutes to switch into "work mode."

• Check emails and other communications

• Write down three things to do on Monday

• Look at the calendar to get an overview of the week

• Decide on just one to-do item for first thing in the morning

With this little bit of "preparation," the start of Monday morning will become noticeably smoother.

The feeling of "it's easy to start because the tasks are clear" will outweigh the feeling of "I still want to rest..."

The sense of switching time "modes"

These three steps are not just about how to use time, but also a rhythm for
adjusting how you switch your mindset.

• Saturday → "Reset" mode

• Sunday → "Recharge" and "Discovery" mode

• Sunday night → "Start preparation" mode

Once this flow is established, the feeling of "the holiday is over..." changes into a natural flow of "a new week is beginning."

Let's arrange it in your own way

Of course, there is no need to copy these three steps exactly. It is important to create your own holiday routine.

For example...

• Make Saturday morning a "time to do nothing"

• Decide that Sunday is an "output day" and write a blog post

• Set aside 10 minutes every Sunday night to "write down next week's schedule on a single sheet of paper"

Small, consistent efforts will change the quality of your holidays,
and eventually, they will bring changes to your weekday self as well.

Chapter 5: Digital Detox and Habits to Restore Brain Resilience

"Before I knew it, I was looking at my smartphone again..."

I think everyone has felt that way at least once.
Social media or videos you opened casually ended up stealing your time—.
When this becomes a habit, you accumulate "brain fatigue" without even realizing it.

In this book, "What Do the World's Best Do on Their Days Off?"
it is said that what modern people need most is a "digital detox."

"Quiet stimulation" heals the brain

It is said that we, in the modern age, pick up our smartphones hundreds of times a day on average.
Notification sounds, news, scrolling through social media, checking emails...
Even if each one is short, for the brain, it is like being in a constant state of "small-scale combat."

Top-tier individuals are extremely sensitive to this "unconscious fatigue."
That is precisely why they value taking time to intentionally "surrender themselves to quiet stimulation" on their days off.

• Walking in nature

• Writing by hand

• Focusing on the coffee in front of you

• Making time just to listen to music

These analog experiences through the five senses help the brain regain its natural restorative power.

The "technique" of distancing yourself from information

A digital detox does not simply mean not touching your smartphone.
What is introduced in this book is something that could be called a technique for mastering "how to keep your distance from information."

For example...

• Turning off notifications only in the morning

• Set a time to check email only once a day

• Decide on a "viewing time" for social media and log out outside of those hours

• Decide to only use "books or music" while on the train

The point is to get along well with digital technology.
By switching your mindset to "choosing what to use" rather than quitting everything, you can regain your own pace.

Brain fatigue lowers the "quality of thinking"

"I can't seem to focus," "I keep making the same mistakes," "I can't come up with ideas."

These states may be signs that your brain is "overheating" from information overload.
Top-tier people intentionally set aside "brain rest" to maintain their daily performance.

To recover from brain fatigue, the following simple habits are considered effective:

• Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day

• Eat three meals at fixed times

• Create time to spend in a silent space

• Close your eyes for 10 minutes a day and focus only on your breathing

None of these are difficult, but by continuing them, the clarity of your thinking will change surprisingly.

Hold the digital "switch" yourself

What I felt when I tried these habits was a "sense of control returning to me."

Until then, I was reacting every time my smartphone notified me, but now I open the "door to information" at my own timing—.

With just a slight change in awareness, space is created in the mind, and I have come to feel a "sense of choice" in everything I do.

Design your own "brain break time"

Finally, I have prepared a blank space for you to use in designing your own digital detox.
Just writing it out once will change your awareness.

• My "no-smartphone time" every morning is ________ minutes

• Try limiting social media usage to only "＿＿＿＿ to ＿＿＿＿"

• Spend the hour before bed doing "＿＿＿＿"

• Things I want to try during "quiet time" to heal my brain: ＿＿＿＿

Chapter 6: Holiday Techniques for "Small Challenges" to Boost Self-Efficacy

"It's a holiday, but I don't feel particularly uplifted."
"I feel self-loathing after spending the day lazing around."
Have you ever felt that way?

Actually, one of the causes of this "empty feeling" might be
**"a lack of self-efficacy."**

In this book, "What the World's Best Do on Their Days Off," it is introduced that
the best intentionally incorporate "small challenges" on their days off
to "restore their minds and cultivate a positive outlook."

What is self-efficacy?

First, what is self-efficacy?

Simply put, it isthe feeling that "I can do it."It is similar to confidence or self-esteem, but slightly different.

• Self-esteem: The feeling that it is okay to be who I am

• Self-efficacy: The power to believe that I can achieve this goal

People with high self-efficacy are not only able to take action with a positive attitude,
but also possess the strength to face difficulties without giving up when they encounter them.

Holidays can be a time for "mental strength training"

On weekdays, we are chased by work and tend to put off challenges for ourselves.
That is precisely whyholidays are the perfect chance for "mental strength training."

This book introduces the following actions as ways to boost "self-efficacy."

• Try a new recipe

• Take a walk on a different route than usual

• Try going into a cafe you have never been to before

• Study English for just 10 minutes

• Try posting "your own words" on social media

None of these are grand gestures, but
they are all actions that give you the feeling of having "advanced one step further than you were yesterday."

Small experiences of success build confidence

For example, suppose you decide to "make fresh pancakes yourself" on your day off.
For someone who doesn't usually cook, that is a significant challenge.

The moment they are finished, a feeling of "I tried it and I could do it" is born.
That is the first step toward self-efficacy.

There is no need to aim for major results.
The accumulation of small senses of achievement that "I did it" becomes the power to believe in yourself.

Four habits to increase self-efficacy

In this book, the following four methods are introduced as ways to cultivate self-efficacy on your days off.

1. Set and achieve small goals

Decide on tasks with clear completion, such as "cleaning for just 10 minutes in the morning."

2. Challenge yourself with something new

Reading a new book, going to a new shop, etc.—contact with the unknown provides stimulation.

3. Be conscious of connections with others

Greetings, expressing gratitude, sharing on social media, etc.—actions that connect you with someone else bring warmth to your heart.

4. Practice self-reflection

Writing a diary, writing down three "good things" from today. A habit of finding your own growth.

Let's create your own "challenge log"

Why not add one "small challenge" to your day off?
Below, I have provided a space where you can write your own "challenge log."

• A small challenge I want to try this week: ________

• What I accomplished today / What I worked hard on: ________

• Points I want to praise myself for: ________

• What I want to tell myself next week: ________

By writing things down, your actions become anchored in your memory,
and a sense that "I've taken another step forward" naturally begins to grow.

Chapter 7: Cultivating Culture Through Art and Reading — The Value of Quiet and Rich Time

Even without lively places or fun plans,
the time spent opening a favorite book in a quiet room,
or staring intently at a painting in an art museum, can provide deep peace to the heart.

In this book, "What Do the World's Best Do on Their Days Off?" it is introduced that
many top-tier individuals use their holidays tocultivate culture and imagination through "art and reading."

Time spent engaging with art enhances the "quality of thought"

Art, such as paintings, music, movies, and theater, is said to have the "power to stimulate the brain."
It is not just about seeing something beautiful or being moved;
the experience of "what you feel" through the work increases the perspectives within you.

By incorporating these artistic experiences into their holidays, top-tier individuals are building a "foundation of intelligence" such as:

• deepening their thinking

• refining their sensibilities

• cultivating the ability to think about things from multiple angles

as mentioned above.

Reading is the "King of Quiet Input"

The power of "reading" is also emphasized in this book.
In particular, immersing yourself in the world of a book while stepping away from smartphones and news
is a very healthy input experience for the brain.

The good thing about reading is that you can understand it at your own pace.
And by adding your own "interpretation" to the lines and the white space of the writing style, your imagination is nurtured.

It is said that top-tier individuals consciously choose "books that provide the questions I need right now," ranging from novels to philosophy books and non-fiction.

Also, what was particularly impressive in this book was the suggestion:
**"Books in genres you are not usually interested in are the ones worth reading on your days off."**

For example, someone who is not good at science might try reading a science essay,
or someone who has had no connection to history might pick up a biography of a figure from the Sengoku period—.

"Unknown genres" can contain realizations that shake up your existing values, or
hints that can be applied to your work or relationships in unexpected ways.

There is value in "stillness"

In modern society, noisy and stimulating things tend to get the most attention, but
this book argues that "quiet time" is the key to balancing the mind and
restoring the "thinking ability" buried by the hustle and bustle of daily life.

• Spending an hour in silence at an art museum

• A morning spent savoring coffee while reading a book of poetry

• Taking a walk while listening to classical music or jazz

This kind of "unproductive time" actually fills the depths of the heart.

Art and reading cultivate "your own world"

I feel that the time spent engaging with books and art is not for gathering information, but
a dialogue to enrich "your own world."I feel this way.

When you read a book and think, "I like this person's way of thinking," or
when you look at a painting and feel, "This use of color is somehow nostalgic,"
what remains is not an "answer," but "what you felt."

I believe that accumulating these experiences cultivates your own values and breadth of thought.

Let's create your own "quiet learning time"

Finally, I have created a list to help you incorporate art and reading into your daily life.
Please use it as a hint for designing your own time.

• "A book in a genre I don't usually pick up" that I want to read this month: ____

• Exhibitions/museums I want to visit: ____

• Things I want to do in a "quiet space": ____

• A place to write down realizations or emotions after reading/viewing: ____

A "holiday that cultivates culture" begins with small actions.

Chapter 8: If your holidays change, your life changes—Organizing your work and lifestyle

How you spend your weekends changes your life.
That is by no means an exaggeration.

What I felt after reading this book, "What the World's Best Do on Their Days Off," was the simple fact that
the quality of one's holidays determines the quality of one's life.

A holiday is not just a time to recover from fatigue; it is the "foundation" and "driving force" for building your future self.

The Holidays of the Elite Build Their Future Selves

The high achievers featured in this book treat their holidays as "starring time" and cherish them.

• Work for the sake of your holidays

• Rest before you get tired

• Become "fulfilled" by spending time actively

This does not mean having luxurious experiences.
Rather, it is simply about accumulating "choices that delight the mind and body"—such as meditation, reading, digital detox, art, and time with family—
that is all.

I felt that this accumulation supports the weekday self and, in the long run, leads to a "steadfast way of life."

Why Japanese People Should Rethink How They Rest

What became clear through this book is the reality that we Japanese people feel a certain sense of guilt about "taking a break."

• Rest only after getting tired

• Difficulty in taking paid leave

• Not knowing what to do even when taking a break

In such a state, a precious holiday ends up being "just recovery time."
That is precisely why rethinking the "meaning of a holiday" in your own way leads to improvements in how you work and live.

Reorganizing Your Schedule Starting from Your Holidays

What impressed me most about this book was the simple suggestion to
**"first put the days you want to rest into your calendar."**

When you build your schedule around those days,

• "I will focus and do my best until this day"

• "This is my own time, so I won't compromise"
  —a rhythm like this is born.

This is nothing less than "taking back control of your life."

The connection point from "who you are now" to "who you want to be"

Reading, art, journaling, and small challenges. These are all like bridges between "who you are now" and "who you want to be."

• Even if you are a little tired now, reading a book can change your perspective

• Even if you don't have confidence yet, small achievements will push you forward

• Even if you feel somewhat anxious now, quiet time will help align your core

Holidays are precious times that allow for such "reconstruction of the heart."
I believe that is precisely why top-tier people know this well,
and why they value their holidays above all else.

Designing your holidays is designing your life

If you are currently feeling,

• "I just can't seem to get rid of my fatigue"

• "I don't feel any meaning in my holidays"

• "I'm not using my time for myself"

then please start by writing one "personal holiday" on your calendar.

From there, little by little, the feeling that "resting = bad" will be replaced by
**"resting = realigning."**

And that accumulation will create the mental space to
"work hard" and "enjoy life."

Finally: To all our readers

In this eight-chapter article, while tracing the essence of this book,
we have faced the question: "How can I spend a holiday that is meaningful to me?"

While being chased by the busyness of daily life,
I think there are times when you lose sight of your own time, your own values, and your own pace.

That is precisely why having a "day to return to yourself" even once a week
will surely become an invaluable "resource" for surviving the times ahead.

🗓️ Why not put your "ideal holiday" on your calendar today?

・What you want to do that day
・How you want to feel while spending it
・What kind of self you want to return to

All of that leads to your “time to organize your life.”

Today's Snapshot

#RestReform #DigitalDetox #SelfEfficacy #QuietHoliday #WeekendRoutine