Mondays

“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.“ Confucius           

In blogging terms, Mondays can ignite a spark of imagination, or a writers block of epic proportions. So, taking the bull by the horns, here are a few thoughts on Mondays…

“The worst day of the week”, you may cry (*fist waving menacingly*), however, perhaps there are some not so hidden positive points that we need to take note of.

Make It Better:

Evaluate your typical Monday- is it really that bad or is just the end of a great weekend that you’re mourning? If you’re truly unhappy then work out why. Would a new job, a new outlook, or a new outfit help- what will make you happier? No time is ever right for those big changes so you may as well crack on. If big steps aren’t currently realistic then start with something little… a confidence booster. If you hate Mondays try and inject a little fun (I don’t mean letting the boss’s tyres down), arrange to attend an evening class or have a post work pint - just something to improve your day.

Get Stuck In:

Do you ever find that worrying about something is rarely as bad as just dealing with it? Often sitting down with a cup of tea and having a good sort out instantly feels better than over thinking and panicking. That doesn’t mean that worry won’t creep in, but kick starting that Monday routine (with the addition of a little caffeine) means action overrides panic, and if you can keep that motivation going, then by the weekend relaxation is all yours.

A Fresh Start:

            So you’re back at work, tackling that ongoing DIY project or cleaning up the pre-school breakfast carnage at home. Mondays offer a unique opportunity as they can provide that moment of clarity realised after a weekend of (hopefully) enjoyment. Feeling creatively revived and rejuvenated (or hungover and tired), either way, the desired outcome is often the same, its time for a detox and a fresh start. Try and embrace that positively and productively and hopefully you’ll start to feel better about Mondays.

A study by Sy-Miin Chow of the University of Virginia, discovered that the ‘blue Monday’ feeling results from the lessening of the type of joy one feels on a weekend, rather than an increase in negative feelings about going to work. So, if we can try and make the transition from weekend to work just a little smoother, then perhaps that sense of deflation can be eased.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on how the shift from weekend to work can be improved… Suggestions here include embracing the work mindset earlier (e.g. thinking it through on Sunday evening), and basic incentives e.g. cake!