I don't buy into the whole "I hate Monday's," Tuesdays are worse than Mondays," "Hump Day," etc. First, not everyone operates according to a conventional 9am - 5pm M-F schedule. Lots of find ourselves working on a Saturday or have Thursdays off.
Second, I'd like to think we have something to look forward to outside of Saturday and Sunday; maybe you love going out with your colleagues after work or you look forward to a Wednesday evening class.
Still, there are ways to make your weekdays even better. Here are 5 so very simple but terrifically effective strategies for enjoying your day a little more purposefully:
Second, I'd like to think we have something to look forward to outside of Saturday and Sunday; maybe you love going out with your colleagues after work or you look forward to a Wednesday evening class.
Still, there are ways to make your weekdays even better. Here are 5 so very simple but terrifically effective strategies for enjoying your day a little more purposefully:
Yeah! Conquer that morning!
1. Get Up Earlier
Do you hate me for even suggesting this? Early is relative and it's up to you what you would do with that extra time.
For me, I like getting up between 5:30 or 6, seeing my husband off to work, bringing a cup of coffee into my office, opening my window, and enjoying the cool morning air while I write. I can write with far more focus in the early morning. Other days I take the dog for a walk first thing, enjoying having the streets to ourselves.
Maybe all you need is 15 minutes to read, 20 minutes for a walk, or 45 minutes for a sit-down breakfast. But if you find yourself feeling rushed in the mornings, consider building in some you-time first thing. You'll be amazed at how it can set the tone for your day.
If you're already an early bird, are you using your time in a way that it enjoyable or otherwise sets your day up for success?
For me, I like getting up between 5:30 or 6, seeing my husband off to work, bringing a cup of coffee into my office, opening my window, and enjoying the cool morning air while I write. I can write with far more focus in the early morning. Other days I take the dog for a walk first thing, enjoying having the streets to ourselves.
Maybe all you need is 15 minutes to read, 20 minutes for a walk, or 45 minutes for a sit-down breakfast. But if you find yourself feeling rushed in the mornings, consider building in some you-time first thing. You'll be amazed at how it can set the tone for your day.
If you're already an early bird, are you using your time in a way that it enjoyable or otherwise sets your day up for success?
2. Move
My husband and I have recently implemented a new routine. After he gets home from work, I stop whatever I am doing, we leash up the dog, and go straight for a walk while we talk about our days. There is something about being physically active that aids our conversation, and it helps to move after sitting at a desk for so long.
There are lots of ways to incorporate movement into your day. Most importantly, do what you like, and what serves your interests. If running is important to you, by all means, schedule in a morning, lunch hour, or post-work jog. But even just reminding yourself to take stretching breaks at your desk, do some stairs in between classes, or dancing around to music while cooking dinner all serve to keep up your overall energy and vitality.
There are lots of ways to incorporate movement into your day. Most importantly, do what you like, and what serves your interests. If running is important to you, by all means, schedule in a morning, lunch hour, or post-work jog. But even just reminding yourself to take stretching breaks at your desk, do some stairs in between classes, or dancing around to music while cooking dinner all serve to keep up your overall energy and vitality.
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3. Schedule Social Time
Confession - it bothers me a lot when I hear people say, "I wish I could, but I don't have time to _______." Fill in the blank - call their mom, exercise, learn Italian, whatever. And so often we use this with each other - Hey, I wish I could meet up with you this week but I don't have time.
Time to anything - especially anything social and / or self-care related doesn't just magically appear. You have to make it happen. Schedule blocks of free time in with your other obligations. And you don't have to meet a friend for dinner. If you both have more flexibility in the morning, why not meet for coffee or a walk instead?
Time to anything - especially anything social and / or self-care related doesn't just magically appear. You have to make it happen. Schedule blocks of free time in with your other obligations. And you don't have to meet a friend for dinner. If you both have more flexibility in the morning, why not meet for coffee or a walk instead?
4. Make A Checklist
You've possibly heard this by now - making your bed first thing in the morning can improve your overall productivity for the rest of the day. By setting an easily- accomplished chore as the first to-do on your agenda, you motivate yourself to keep completing your list of tasks throughout the day.
Your checklist might either be a schedule, with specific times assigned to different activities, or you might prefer a more flexible to-do list where the only goal is to check off all of the tasks before going to bed.
Your checklist might either be a schedule, with specific times assigned to different activities, or you might prefer a more flexible to-do list where the only goal is to check off all of the tasks before going to bed.
5. Do Something For Yourself & For Another
The last great way to make your weekdays even better is to prioritize making someone else's day better. Offer to pay for your friend's tea or bring a meal over to your significant other when they are trapped somewhere working. Write an email to check in with your sister or volunteer to help your professor pass out worksheets. It can the smallest gesture, but helping others is an extremely effective way to boost your own mood.
And then, go ahead, reward yourself. Make your favorite dinner, buy fresh flowers, take your dog to the dog park, make time for your favorite television show, or let yourself take an extra-long shower. Just cause it's not the weekend doesn't mean you can't luxuriate a little.
And then, go ahead, reward yourself. Make your favorite dinner, buy fresh flowers, take your dog to the dog park, make time for your favorite television show, or let yourself take an extra-long shower. Just cause it's not the weekend doesn't mean you can't luxuriate a little.
If you find yourself dreading Mondays - or weekdays in general - see if getting up earlier, having a defined checklist, and making time for both yourself and for others doesn't help make your days a little better.
