You open your eyes, roll over and hit the snooze button again.
You get out of bed, get dressed, grab a cup of coffee and a piece of toast and you’re out the door. As you drive to work and get stuck in morning traffic, you think to yourself “Ugh.. I hate Mondays.”
I get it. For years and years, I was one of those people who absolutely hates Mondays. I’d start feeling anxious Sunday evening and try to make my weekends last as long as possible. Today, whenever I scroll through my Instagram feed and see one of those “if Monday had a face” posts, I cringe.
Your Mondays are meant to be as positive, happy and amazing as your Fridays. A new week brings new opportunities, a fresh start.
So what do you if Monday is your least-favorite day of the week?
START THE NIGHT BEFORE
One of the reasons why so many of us don’t like Mondays is because we’re pretty much never ready to let go of the weekend. It’s that feeling that you had as a kid on a Sunday evening; the sudden realization that tomorrow’s Monday and that it’s time to go back to school. Want to enjoy your Mondays? You have to start the night before- Sunday evening. Make sure you prep for the week, so that come Monday, you don’t have to worry about things like groceries, clean laundry, getting gas on your way to work. Wash your dishes, clean up your kitchen… If you prep the night before, your morning will be stress-free and you can start your week on a positive note.
WATCH WHAT YOU EAT
…on a Sunday evening. During the weekend a lot of us like to treat ourselves and indulge a little. This also means that we often wake up tired and bloated the next day which makes us feel sluggish and slow. If you love to indulge on Sunday evenings, make sure to control your portions and avoid eating right before going to sleep. Do your best to adapt some healthy Sunday-night habits, so that you can feel well-rested, energized and ready to take on a brand new week.
HAVE SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO
Who says you can only have fun during the weekend? Every single one of your days should be filled with as much passion and energy as your Saturdays. Make Monday a date night- go see a movie with your partner, or make dinner together; invite your girlfriends over for a little girls’ night in- do something fun. Buy a new book or a movie and don’t start reading it/watching it until Monday- make sure to have something fun to look forward to. When you add these little “weekend” treats to your day, your Mondays will be more fun, exciting and less stressful.
Also, see:
- Life-changing Morning Rituals
- Affirmations to Kick-Start Your Day
- Things to Focus on When You’ve Lost Your Motivation
- It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
GET AN EARLY START
I cannot imagine not getting an early start to my days. I get to spend at least half an hour in peace and quiet before anyone else wakes up. I drink my tea, I write in my journal, set my intentions for the day and I actually get to relax a little before the day officially “starts”. Imagine being able to make the best of your mornings; never being in a rush, maybe taking a little walk before leaving for work. Your mornings set the tone for your entire day, so it’s up to to make sure that they’re as bright and happy as possible. Create a routine you look forward to, every single morning. Practice a little self-care. If you have trouble with getting up early or procrastinating, I highly suggest you check out The 5 Second Rule book by Mel Robbins.
SHIFT YOUR FOCUS
If you feel that you’re a Friday person stuck in a Monday world, you need to shift your focus, now. Don’t talk about how much you don’t like Mondays, don’t complain or share silly “I hate Mondays” quotes on Facebook – there’s a reason why you never see anyone who’s happy and successful do these things. Monday is going to come anyway- regardless of how much you dread it, and it’s up to make it a good, positive and productive day.
I once read somewhere that if you “hate” Mondays, you must be very unhappy with your job. I don’t think it’s as simple as that- not everyone who’s unhappy at work can just get up, quit and leave. I personally never dread going to work and haven’t since I was a teen. Does this mean that things always go nice and smooth at work, or that I never get stressed or overwhelmed?
No.
It means that I have developed a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career (Liam Neeson style) that help me deal with things like pressure, negativity or dealing with difficult clients.
Not every single one of your days will be perfect; there will be days when you will feel upset, frustrated- there will be people who will disappoint you- it’s up to you to make your life as fun and happy as possible- starting with your Mondays.
48 Comments
Aleksandra
February 29, 2016 at 8:34 amHaving an early start doesn’t work for most people though – if one needs to get up at 6 every morning, convincing oneself that geting up at 5.30 is so much better instead will never happen. Mondays are way more forgiving for people with non-office bound jobs I think.
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
February 29, 2016 at 9:19 amYou don’t think that having extra 30 minutes everyday (to enjoy your coffee, do some light stretching or go for a quick run) would make your day better? I get up at 5.15 am nearly everyday and wouldn’t have it any other way. I think there’s definitely some truth to that, but I also have an office job and I happen to love Mondays. ;)
RandomlyYaya
February 29, 2016 at 9:35 amI believe it’s all in your mindset. Getting up earlier sounds like a bad idea, but if you do it and give yourself extra time to lay in bed, journal or do something productive, it really does make your day a lot better. I started getting up an hour earlier to go to the gym. I HATE the gym, so getting up at 5 is hard, but after I come from the gym, I really feel like I’ve accomplished something good. Like Paula said, Monday will come whether we want it to or not, it’s all in how we respond to it.
Aleksandra
February 29, 2016 at 10:42 amMindsets can only get you that far. I am getting up at 6, not back home till 9pm (on a good day). Since I am trying to actually find some time for things other than work, I usually don’t go to bed before 12 or 1. Which kind of leaves me with max 6h of sleep. Don’t get me wrong, I couldn’t care less if a day is Monday or Tuesday or any other week day – week day is week day for me. But I’d still argue that a good night sleep is better than an extra hour of relaxing. At least for people who go below the almost healthy 6hrs.
Marilyn
February 29, 2016 at 9:50 amI kind of agree that if you hate Mondays, then something is definitely up and a change needs to be made and some self-evaluation needs to be done. I know it’s not easy, my boyfriend is in this predicament now and I was in that situation for years until I had enough and left my job almost two years ago. I love your idea about making something out of Mondays to look forward to, it can even be finding an awesome Yoga class to take after work. Adding a new routine on Mondays that involves something you enjoy doing will definitely help. :)
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 1, 2016 at 4:45 pmOh I feel for your boyfriend, I know what it’s like to be stuck and really wanting to move on. Love the idea of taking a Yoga class after work on Mondays, that would definitely be something awesome to look forward to ;)
Bri DePauw
February 29, 2016 at 10:03 amLove this, great tips! I love the one about eating right, eating a great healthy dinner on Sunday totally makes sense!
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 1, 2016 at 4:45 pmThanks Bri!
Darina
February 29, 2016 at 11:23 amGreat tips! I have an early start each morning, I love that (really!)
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 1, 2016 at 4:45 pmSo do I! :)
Jodie
February 29, 2016 at 11:43 amI always like to see Monday as any other day, there’s no point in hating it when like you said, it’s going to roll around again anyway. If I think positive chances are, it will be positive! x
Jodie // Jodie Loue
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 1, 2016 at 4:47 pmI definitely agree!
Pippi Hepburn
February 29, 2016 at 12:59 pmA nice reminder that everyday is important. I havw started to practice making Mondays and Fridays early days no matter what. It is working slowly, but getting better at it!
http://www.pippihepburn.etsy.com
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 1, 2016 at 4:50 pmThat’s awesome :)
Stephie Jo
February 29, 2016 at 1:01 pmThis post is so motivational! :)
It’s not that I particularly hate Mondays, just that, as you said, it’s very hard to leave the fun and carefree weekend behind and start a new week of hard work and routine.
I believe that the more positive your view of something is, the easier it’s going to be to get used to it, even if you hate it. You just have to find motivation to change your mindset and find its positive points. And like you said, make it something to look forward to. :)
xx
Stephanie
http://stephie-jo-vs-life.blogspot.gr/
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 1, 2016 at 4:51 pmThanks so much Stephanie! I think your mindset and a change of attitude can help make every single one of your days happier and more positive :)
Kate
February 29, 2016 at 1:31 pmI love this post Paula – these are such great tips. I think even people who are lucky enough to have their dream job have times when Mondays are difficult to face. So much is about attitude. x
Kate Louise Blogs
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 1, 2016 at 4:52 pmThank you so much Kate!
Alexandra L
February 29, 2016 at 1:37 pmNice post ! I do personally my scuduele for the week on Monday to motivate me !
Alexandra
http://littlefrenchblog.blogspot.fr
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 1, 2016 at 4:54 pmThanks Alex!
Ambar Syed
February 29, 2016 at 3:38 pmLovely tips! Thank you for sharing. I love planning my week on Sunday nights and being prepared :)
– Ambar x
http://www.herlittleloves.blogspot.com
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 1, 2016 at 4:54 pmThank you Ambar!
itsjessiejane
February 29, 2016 at 3:44 pmGood tips! I definitely agree with getting everything ready Sunday evening, like lunch, bag packing etc, so that Monday mornings aren’t rushed! X
http://www.itsjessiejane.com/
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 1, 2016 at 4:58 pm;)
Samantha Frances
February 29, 2016 at 4:59 pmI agree with all of these! Especially preparing the night before, it takes away so much stress from the mornings! Brilliant post :) xxx
http://www.samanthafrances.co.uk
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 1, 2016 at 4:58 pmThanks Samantha.
Rebecca Fletcher
February 29, 2016 at 5:21 pmI agree with you. Preparation is key for everything! X
http://www.beautylifebecca.blogspot.com
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 1, 2016 at 4:59 pm:)
Dagmara Klich
February 29, 2016 at 5:31 pmIt’s not easy to love Mondays as much as Fridays :) But I agree that preparation is a key to have less stress on Mondays. I like to do some relaxing things on Monday evening, like reading blogs, watching YouTube or reading a book and I actually look forward to that :) x
Mummy’s Beauty Corner
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 1, 2016 at 5:00 pmAhh, I know! That Monday feeling doesn’t compare to that Friday feeling haha ;) That sounds like an awesome little routine!
The Sunday Mode
February 29, 2016 at 6:43 pmI’ve actually never really hated Monday’s, if there’s any days I don’t particularly look forward to it’s just be those days when I have a big presentation on or a deadline or something like that. I think ideally every day during the week should be equally as enjoyable, for me it’s all about giving myself something to look forward to every day.
http://www.thesundaymode.blogspot.com.au
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 1, 2016 at 5:08 pmThat’s awesome! I only hated Mondays when I was in school haha :)
Sophie Sierra
February 29, 2016 at 7:33 pmThis post is so damn inspiring and kick ass Paula (as are all your gorge posts of course ;) but this one really resonates so much truth with me as I can relate to it so much. I really am guilty of a lot of things on here, and I want to get up earlier before the day properly starts as I’m always in a rush and no wonder it puts me in a bad mood in the morning lol.
It’s hard not to feel negative towards Monday’s when many seem to post so many of those stoopid Facebook quotes everywhere, but you’re so right in saying there’s a reason why anyone happy and successful doesn’t do these things. Good old IG (or Twitter) for starting the whole #Mondaymotivation thing off! This is such an uplifting read, another gem full of wisdom and meanginfulness and I can see so many other’s reading and feeling a real shift in seeing Monday as a positive, not a negative! <3
Sophie | soinspo xo
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 1, 2016 at 5:11 pmNAww thanks so much Soph!! Oh being in a rush definitely can put some stress on you. And yes! These Facebook posts are exactly what I was referring to in my post, I roll my eyes every time I see one of those posts haha :)
Thank you so much Soph!!
Paula
Thirteen Thoughts
Rosie von Waldherr
March 1, 2016 at 1:38 amGood tips, especially the one about the food on Sunday evening ;) I also don’t hate Monday’s…especially since my Monday is on Sunday xD
xoRosie
Rosie’s Life
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 1, 2016 at 5:15 pmhehe that’s great Rosie! :)
Kelly Anne
March 1, 2016 at 2:37 amGreat tips! I am definitely finding the weekly negative posts about Monday on social media draining and I love how positive yet realistic you are in this post. While I don’t hate Mondays it’s also not my favourite day of the week so giving myself something to look forward to is such a great idea to make Mondays a little brighter. Definitely going to give that suggestion a try.
Thanks so much for sharing this post!
Kelly xx
http://www.anneinthedollhouse.com/
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 1, 2016 at 5:16 pmThanks Kelly! I find those posts a little annoying too, but thankfully there are also a ton of positive and inspiring people out there too :)
Kiss & Make-up
March 1, 2016 at 3:42 amI can love or hate any day of the week, hehe, but these are good tips!
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 1, 2016 at 5:16 pmHehehe ;) Thanks!!
Ela BellaWorld
March 1, 2016 at 2:14 pmI hate Mondays, I don’t have any motivation. I start complaining on Sunday, then of course it doesn’t make things any better. I can kinda relate to “hating job” bit, I hate my current job and hated my previous job, bur for instance when I was having my MSc in between, I had no problems with Mondays :) Since days are getting longer, I will try to have wake up at least half an hour earlier, it should give my some motivation.
Ela BellaWorld
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 1, 2016 at 6:08 pmAw sorry Ela! I know the feeling! Hope you can come up with a routine that will make your Mondays happier and brighter ;) <3
SavBanav
March 3, 2016 at 4:29 pmOne thing I love doing on Mondays (and every other morning of the weekdays) is to mix honey, lemon, and a bit of cinnamon into some hot water- it makes for a wonderful wake- up drink and is also very detoxing! I also like to take a few minutes to write in my planner and journal as well. Great tips!
Savannah xx
savbanav.wordpress.com
Kelly
March 20, 2016 at 3:08 pmI love this list – something to look forward to is such a great one and I think Monday’s are much better if I meal prep and have great snacks at the office!
xx Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes
Jaclyn Sison
May 20, 2017 at 7:08 amMondays are always a hit or miss for me, but that’s because I’m a shift worker. So loving any day of the week when I’m coming off 3 or 4 days off is extremely hard. I have to go to work with my game face on because after 4 days of being off, I feel like I’ve lost all ability to do anything at work! And I agree that preparing for the next day is probably the best thing you can do, so if you do end up hitting the snooze button again, then at least everything is set for you!
Lynn | https://stayaloha.blogspot.com
Beth Deyo
May 21, 2017 at 9:11 amAs I sit here at 9 am on a Sunday morning contemplating what to do with my day, your post couldn’t have come to me at a better time! Looks like food prep and laundry are definitely on my “to do” list today. I’ve always been a huge fan of “Sunday Funday” and putting off responsibility for as long as possible. And I’m one of the ones who starts to feel anxiety by Sunday afternoon because of dreading the work week. I’ll definitely try some of these tips and look forward to a better Monday! Thanks!
lilian Tahmasian
May 22, 2017 at 3:12 pmwell said!
i truly love my Mondays more than anything else! :)
http://www.liliantahmasian.com
Natalie Redman
May 29, 2017 at 6:17 pmI need to get more early starts!
http://www.upyourvlog.com