Easter Weekend: Less To-Do, More Just Be

There’s something really beautiful about Easter weekend. A gentle pause in the year. A chance to gather, reflect, reconnect—if we let it.

But so often, even our time off can turn into another productivity race. The house needs cleaned, the kids need entertained, social media says you should be out hiking and sipping cocktails and ticking off all the seasonal vibes.

But what if we didn’t?

What if we allowed Easter to be softer this year?

For some, this weekend is rooted in spiritual meaning—a time to meditate, to slow the mind, and hold space for others. I love that part. There’s something sacred about switching off the noise and just showing up in stillness, for yourself or someone else.

But even if meditation isn’t your usual rhythm, there’s still huge value in setting intention for your time off. Not everything needs to be planned within an inch of its life. Maybe your version of peace is going to the gym with no time pressure. Baking a cake just because it smells like home. Watching a film. Phoning someone you’ve been meaning to. Or even just sitting quietly with a cup of tea while it rains outside (and let’s be honest—Scotland’s probably got the rain part covered).

I’m heading home to be with family this Easter, which I’m so grateful for. But if I weren’t, I think I’d keep it really simple—do a bit of movement, cook something sweet, invite a few friends round, and try not to do too much.

We don’t always need to fill the space. Sometimes, it’s enough just to rest in it.

Whatever your Easter weekend looks like, I hope there’s room for stillness, for joy, for a little less doing and a little more being.

And if you fancy a little baking moment, here’s a traditional Easter recipe to bring that warm, spiced comfort to your kitchen...

🍊 Simple Simnel Cake Recipe

Ingredients

175g butter, softened
175g light brown sugar
3 large eggs
175g self-raising flour
100g ground almonds
1 tsp mixed spice
1 tsp cinnamon
200g mixed dried fruit
100g glacé cherries, halved
Zest of 1 lemon
500g marzipan
2 tbsp apricot jam

Method

Preheat oven to 150°C (130°C fan). Grease and line a deep 20cm round cake tin.
Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time.
Fold in flour, ground almonds, spices, dried fruit, cherries, and lemon zest.
Roll out a third of the marzipan and place a disc in the middle of the cake (about the size of your tin).
Spoon in half the batter, place the marzipan disc, then top with the remaining batter.
Bake for 1¾ to 2 hours, until golden and firm. Cool in the tin.
Brush the top with warmed apricot jam. Roll out another marzipan disc and place on top. Decorate with 11 marzipan balls to represent the apostles (minus Judas!).
Optional: lightly toast the top under the grill for that golden finish.

I make a point of baking this cake with my Mum, and we just have a hoot!

Wishing you a calm, meaningful Easter—however you spend it. And if there's cake involved, even better. x