Queer, Free & Fabulous: 5 Weekend Rituals That Radically Reclaim Your Joy

Happy Friday Everyone. I spoke last week about recharging on your weekend and I feel so strong about that, so I expanded a bit on it this week. I hope you had a great week. We met with more doctors for my mom's cancer and I am feeling joy in the prospect of her being comfortable in this final stage of her journey and I am thankful to take time to unplug and spend some quality time with her in the weeks ahead. All that being said.....

Let’s Be Real for a Minute...

If you’re an LGBTQ+ entrepreneur, you’re no stranger to the grind. Building your dream, smashing stereotypes, and standing tall in your truth. That takes work. But what if I told you that taking a break isn’t just a luxury, it’s a form of revolution?

Queer joy is more than glitter and parade floats (though we LOVE those). It’s a declaration that you deserve to feel good in a world that often says otherwise. It’s a radical act of self-worth, especially when society demands endless productivity.

So this Friday, let’s ditch the guilt and grab some joy. Here are five bold, beautiful ways to reclaim your weekend, and your sanity, with intention, pride, and power.

1. Wake Up Without a To-Do List You don't need to earn your rest.

Most of us wake up with our minds racing: emails, invoices, next week’s launch. But what if your weekend started without the pressure to produce?

Give yourself the gift of a morning where the only goal is to exist. Linger in bed. Sip coffee without a screen. Let your mind wander. Research from the Journal of Positive Psychology shows that unstructured time can increase creativity and emotional resilience—two major superpowers for any entrepreneur.

Hot Tip: Keep a "joy list" by your bed...5 things that bring you peace. Pull from it whenever you're tempted to jump into hustle mode.

2. Celebrate Your Wins (Loudly and Queerly) Visibility is victory.

Every week, you’re making things happen, even if it doesn’t feel like it. Finished a project? Navigated a tough convo? Showed up authentically in a space that wasn’t built for you? That my friend, is a win.

Start a weekly ritual to mark your progress. Maybe it's a solo dance party, a gratitude post, or a selfie in your fiercest Friday outfit. According to Harvard Business Review, acknowledging small wins boosts motivation and improves long-term success.

Hot Tip: Create a "Friday Feels" highlight on Instagram to celebrate your weekly wins, and encourage others to do the same.

3. Connect Without Networking Community care is self-care.

Not every conversation has to lead to a collab or a contract. Weekends are for reconnecting with your people, your roots, and yourself.

Host a queer potluck. Call your favorite cousin. DM someone you admire just to say, "You inspire me." A Gallup study found that meaningful social interaction boosts happiness levels and decreases stress, especially among marginalized communities.

"Queer community is where I feel most seen. It’s my reminder that I’m not alone." — Janelle Monáe

Hot Tip: Block out "connection hours" on your weekend schedule—no business talk allowed.

4. Indulge in Something Deliciously Pointless Pleasure is productive.

When was the last time you did something just because it felt good?

Bake a rainbow cake. Binge a queer rom-com. Learn a TikTok dance. Play dress-up in your closet for no reason. If it makes you laugh or exhale or feel even a flicker of joy—that’s the point. Psychologist Dr. Laurie Santos, host of The Happiness Lab, says that simple pleasures are key to long-term well-being.

Hot Tip: Add "pure fun" to your planner. Yes, write it down like any other meeting, because it matters just as much.

5. Rest Like It’s Your Job (Because It Is) Burnout isn't a badge of honor.

If you’re tired, you’re not failing, you’re human. And for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, especially those navigating microaggressions and societal pressure, rest is essential.

That means naps, silence, and saying "no" without guilt. It means trading toxic productivity for tender presence. It means choosing yourself. The National Institutes of Health reports that consistent rest improves memory, lowers anxiety, and increases decision-making power, pretty useful for a business owner, right?

Hot Tip: Try a "tech-free Sunday." Just you, your thoughts, and your breath. Revolutionary.

This Weekend, Choose Joy

Queer joy is not a luxury, it’s a lifeline. In a world that often tells us to shrink, dull, or disappear, claiming space for pleasure, rest, and connection is a bold, necessary move.

So this weekend, love yourself out loud. Rest without apology. Laugh too hard. Celebrate too much. Choose joy on purpose.

And if you're ready to build a brand that celebrates all of who you are, both in business and in life, reach out to Left of Str8 Media and Consulting. We help LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs shine brighter, grow louder, and show up fully.