Episode 15: Stop Working for the Weekend—How to Be Present Every Day

In this 15th episode of The Erin Coupe Podcast, Erin tackles a mindset that traps so many professionals: working for the weekend. If you find yourself grinding through your weekdays, only to feel depleted when Friday rolls around—and somehow still unfulfilled—this episode is for you.

Erin shares personal stories and practical strategies to help you shift from surviving the workweek to actually living each day with intention, presence, and peace. Especially now, with return-to-office mandates and growing demands on your time, it’s more important than ever to take back control and stop putting your life on hold.

Episode Highlights:

• The emotional cost of living for the next break or vacation

• The return-to-office drain—and how to flip it into personal time

• The power of intentional rituals vs. autopilot routines

• Why scattered energy leads to burnout (and how to realign)

• Simple, daily practices that reconnect you with the present moment

• How to reclaim your commute and turn it into meaningful time

• Why multitasking isn’t the flex we think it is—and what to do instead

• A personal reflection on aging, time, and the gift of presence

Key Takeaways for YOU:

1. Presence > Productivity: Fulfillment doesn’t come from crossing off to-do’s; it comes from being where you are—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

2. Rituals Set the Tone: Begin your day with something for you—not your phone, inbox, or Slack. Even just 10 minutes of stillness changes everything.

3. Control Your Energy: Notifications, constant task-switching, and fragmented focus drain you. Choose where your attention goes.

4. Create Micro Moments: Even 5–10 minutes between meetings or at the end of your day to breathe, stretch, or reflect makes a difference.

5. Time is Now: Life isn’t later. The people and presence you crave are here—today. Don’t wait for the weekend to feel alive.

📩 Want more tools and insights? Want more tools and insights? Join Erin's newsletter (delivered 2-3x/month) for exclusive guidance on how to lead, live, and love more intentionally. erincoupe.com/subscribe⁠ 

New short episodes drop every other Wednesday. Erin’s 10-20 minute episodes meet you where you are - pressed for time. This is your purposeful reminder to stop, reflect and think mid-week amidst all the pulls and demands on your attention, energy, and mental space.

🔗 You can find The Erin Coupe Podcast on all major streaming platforms.