Brummies being hit hard by new social trend called ‘WeekendEnvy’

A new lifestyle study released has revealed that Brummies are being pressured to fib about their weekend activities, in order to show a more interesting self-image.

Now that people have their freedom back after two years of regular lockdowns and a long Bank Holiday is coming up, the social pressure is heightened with 79% of Brummies admitting that they regularly tell a white lie on their social media channels to impress their family, friends and colleagues with made-up weekend activities. 

The emotional rationale for this behaviour is instigated via social media pressure from celebrities, instagrammers, family, friends and colleagues living an adventurous, glamorous lifestyle which includes making the most of their free time over the weekend.          

The study commissioned by Travelodge, which operates 579 UK hotels – including 19 across Birmingham - surveyed 2,000 British adults to investigate how Britons like to spend their weekend post pandemic.  Interestingly 40% of Brummies surveyed reported that their weekend plans are governed by what they can post on their social media channels.

For many Birmingham citizens it is the one stop communication channel to showcase their personal brand identity, personality, status and lifestyle - which is why thousands of Brummies are lying each week on what they did over the weekend. On average 41% of Brummies tell three white lies each month in order to portray themselves as being a fun and adventurous individual – in order to impress their family, friends and colleagues.     

Two thirds (66%) of Brummies reported that they are regularly envious of what their family, friends and colleagues are doing at the weekend without them. Four out of ten (40%) adults from Birmingham reported that they dread Monday conversations that start with: “How was your weekend?” “What did you get up to?” 

Three out of ten, (30%) of Brummies reported that the green-eyed monster creeps up making it too easy to fib about what they did over the weekend in order to make their activities sound more fun. Interestingly half of Brummies (50%) reported that the pressure is really on when there is a Bank Holiday weekend to be doing something fun and adventurous as it feels like everyone else is having more fun than them. 

A quarter (25%) of Brummies reported that it is essential for them to be seen in the right place doing something fun, glam or adventurous over a Bank Holiday weekend, in order for them to look ultra-cool in front of their family, friends and colleagues. Interestingly, a third (33%) of Birmingham adults reported that they spend hours surfing the net to find images that they can post on their social media channels to make it look like they are doing something interesting over the Bank Holiday weekend.  

When it comes to the types of white lies Brummies are telling their loved ones and colleagues about what they did over the weekend in order to look more fun and adventurous, this includes: seeing a performance at the theatre, participating in a thrill seeking activity, dining in a much sought after restaurant/visiting a top cocktail bar, going to a concert/gig or attending a glamorous party.         

Detailed below are the top ten weekend activity white lies Birmingham citizens are regularly telling to impress their family, friends and colleagues.    

1.    Visiting the theatre to see a long-awaited performance

2.    Participated in a thrill seeking activity

3.    Dining at a much sought after restaurant or visiting a top cocktail bar 

4.    Attending a concert 

5.    Going to a glamorous party

6.    Being whisked to a hotel for the night 

7.    Taking a Staycation break

8.    Escaping to the coast  

9.    Took a UK city break 

10.  Having champagne afternoon tea  

Further research findings revealed that a fifth (20%) of Brummies reported that they miss the weekends of yonder years when weekends were designed for pure relaxation 

Psychologist Corinne Sweet said: “It’s not surprising that Brummies are suffering from WeekendEnvy as social media is making us live almost two lives, one online and the other in reality – which is causing individuals to compete against each other. The pressure is high to show that we are living a glamorous lifestyle like the Kardashians, that’s all about travelling, partying, dining out, having sex and endless fun.

“Therefore we are constantly comparing ourselves and WeekendEnvy kicks in because we don’t want to be lagging behind our family, friends and colleagues. It’s boring to admit that we actually spend our weekends doing paperwork, household chores, gardening, child-minding or even watching box sets.

“Therefore it’s easy to create smokescreens by creating a 'false self' and false selfies to show we are having fun, when we are not. However with some clever planning we can inject some real fun and relaxation time into our weekends.”   

Travelodge Spokesperson, Shakila Ahmed, said:  “Our research has highlighted that WeekendEnvy and FOMO is spreading fast across Birmingham and we need to take immediate action to reclaim our weekends, and start to make the most of life’s great pleasures. Why fib when it’s so easy to turn travel dreams and fictional socialising into a reality.

“With smart planning and researching good deals you can easy create low-cost real life content. We have 579 Travelodge hotels across the UK and with rooms from £32, so you can easily take regular weekend breaks and impress your loved ones and colleagues showcasing what makes Great Britain so great.”   

In addition to Brummies taking the first position in the top ten poll of WeekendEnvy fibbers, Dundiners from Edinburgh take second place and Loiners from Leeds take third position.   

The table below details the top ten locations where you can find the nation’s top ten WeekendEnvey fibbers 

Listed below are the top tips from Travelodge to help the residents of Birmingham reclaim their weekend and prevent FOMO, the ‘fear of missing out’.

1.    Get Outdoors - Make the most of the outdoors and go for a walk, run, hike, cycle or wild swimming. The exercise and fresh air will make you feel refreshed and energised. Sharing the experience with family or friends is an added bonus.

2.    Put Some Things Off - There are some things that can be done anytime - not only at weekends. Try to organise your time mid-week and fit in those small jobs in the evenings or at lunchtime, freeing up your precious weekend to do the things you really enjoy.

3.    Don’t Dwell on Monday - Banish the Sunday-night blues and save the best for last - plan something fun to do on a Sunday night to make the weekend last that little bit longer.

4.    Change Locations - As much as we love our beds and sofas, leave them behind and book a weekend away. You’ll be surprised just how inexpensive a short-break can be - who needs an excuse to explore the great places Britain has to offer?