The Wednesday Ritual
Why meeting friends every week might be the most productive thing you do.
There is a group of people who meet every Wednesday.
"Every Wednesday, a group of friends gather. Not for a meeting. Not for a project. Just for the simple, radical act of being together."
Among them are David, Bimbo, Willy (also known as Undip), Jong, Martin, Dody, and others. They have different jobs, different lives, different worries. But every week, they show up for each other.
Why Weekly Connection Matters
We often think of rest as something we do alone. A nap. A quiet evening. But there is a different kind of rest that only happens in the presence of people who know you.
Science backs this up. Studies consistently show that strong social connections are one of the strongest predictors of happiness, health, and even longevity. It feels good to be known.
The Wednesday Effect
Why Wednesday? There is something perfect about the middle of the week. Wednesday is the hump — the day when the week feels longest, when energy is lowest, when you most need a reminder that life is not just deadlines and obligations.
For this group, Wednesday is not a break from work. It is part of the work. It is the recharge that makes the rest of the week possible.
The Art of Showing Up
There is no agenda at these Wednesday gatherings. No minutes. No action items. Sometimes they talk about work. Sometimes they do not. The point is not what they do. The point is that they are there.
"We do not meet because we have time. We make time because we need to meet. The work will always be there. These moments, with these people, will not."
Start Your Own Ritual
You do not need a large group. You do not need a perfect schedule. You just need one or two people who are willing to show up, again and again, until it becomes a habit. Pick a day. Pick a place. Keep it simple.
And if someone asks why you are "wasting time" with friends when you could be working, tell them this: you are working on your most important project — yourself.
With warmth,
Mintul