Welcome! ย Here we are, all up in another Monday. ย Before we get bogged down by the possibly overwhelming details of the day, here are a few tips to get us through the day and set us up for the week. ย It’s like we’re holding hands through this one… but it’s not awkward or creepy…. it’s cool.
โข ย Don’t skip breakfast. ย Hangry 10am email responses are not a good look. ย This Toasted Oat and Coconut Muesli is easy to make, super healthful, and a great weekday morning hangry fighter.
โข ย Look good / Feel good!ย I try to reach into the back of my closet on a Monday morning. ย I reach for a dress that may have fallen out of my regular rotation but used to be a look good / feel good staple. ย I try to take a few extra minutes to make myself feel pretty for the day…. maybe that means a bit of eyeliner, a cute dress, a spritz of perfume, or… simply not forgetting my deodorant. ย Feeling confident walking into a Monday goes a long way!
โข ย Treat yo’self. ย Have an extra cup of coffee and a cookie too! ย Just enough to be a treat without feeling guilty. ย It’s Monday and thank goodness not everyday is Monday. ย It’s usually during thisย coffee and cookie breaks that I take some time to write out my to-do list.
โข ย A to-do list is essential! ย Monday to-do lists must never take themselves too seriously. ย Ideally they’re speckled with easy tasks like “make and drink coffee, twice” as well as unexpectedย tasks like “walk the long way to lunch”. ย All of the hardline stuff about emails, deadlines, and commitments will fill in the rest of theย madness, but take it easy on yourself. ย Take it eeeaaasssyyyy.
โข ย Go for a walk. ย Seriously. ย Do the dang thing! ย Maybe that means taking the long way to lunch, a quick jaunt around the block on a bathroom break, a step away from the keyboard and the endless tasks to change up the air we breathe. ย It really does lead to a change in brain space.
โข ย When in doubt, watch people whale for a minute or two. ย It’s oddly entertaining.
โข ย Decide that you have the time to do something distinctly un-Monday. ย Bust out the stationary and write a quick letter to your grandmother, to your best friend, or to your mama. ย Something about Mondays make us feel like we don’t have time for these small and loving moments. ย It just takes a few minutes and it’s distinctly un-Monday.
โข ย Listen to a thoughtful podcast or a new playlist! ย I love Snap Judgement’s The End of the Line. ย This playlistย will be blasting in my kitchen this Monday morning. ย Real!
โข Subtract the Internet when the Internet is too much. ย Maybe it’s seeing everyoneย on Instagram in Mexico, on a road trip, or eating all of the things. ย When the Monday Internet makes me feel the least bit bummed, jealous, or otherwise not awesome…. I’M OUT! ย Check right on out. ย Mondays are hard enough without having to see everyone you know/don’t know on Instagram enjoying Tulum. ย Peace.Out!
โข ย Make an evening plan.ย Last minute happy hour date! ย On the fly dinner out! ย Pink wine! ย Call a friend! ย Popcorn on the couch! Plans large or small… an after work situation is a lovely carrot to dangle in front of your face.
โข ย When all else fails, have a doughnut and scream into a pillow until Monday subsides. ย Fairly effective though a touch melodramatic.
Remember, tomorrow is Tuesday and what a blessing that is! ย Go easy and be kind to yourself. ย Have a great week! ย Tomorrow we’re making doughnuts and that’s really good news.
62 Responses
Yas queen, I started my day with 2 apple cider doughnuts. A reminder of the lovely apple orchard Sunday I had the day before <3
Life feels hard right now. I’m incredibly lucky and blessed, but feel the walls inching towards me. Thanks for a bright spot and breath of fresh air. Perspective can be hard to come by sometimes.
That PLAYLIST! I’m listening now, on repeat.
Awesome advice Joy! The only thing guaranteed to make me grin faster than watching people whaling however is the Human Bicycle. I don’t know why this is so funny but I get the giggles every time! Best antidote to a miserable day, too.
https://youtu.be/pWTb-NMHO3Q
Thank you for posting this, both the content and the diction were what I needed to read after a long Monday. Even though it is already March (insert where did the time go thought, because seriously, where did it go?), and you wrote this in August it is as soothing as soup when your sick.
Good ideas! Going for a walk now!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
This is so great, Joy! You always have the best advice and all of this tips will make me appreciate Mondays from now onโฆor at least as much as I can, it is Monday after all!
Great post. I am 100% a believer of the look good and feel good mentality. You aren’t going to feel your best if you don’t look your best too. I always have better days when I dress the part at work.
“When all else fails, have a doughnut and scream into a pillow until Monday subsides. Fairly effective though a touch melodramatic.”
I love this!
awesome :)
Great advice! I can really relate to finding an old outfit that I haven’t worn in a while and giving it a new debut, it was a lovely read x
http://www.betweentwo.co.uk
Thank you for this! I allways struggle to get through Mondays and keep sane… I’m listening to Spotify continuously from yesterday and it’s amazing. I didn’t know it existed. Have a nice Tuesday! :) (or Wednesday – I’m not sure about the time zones)
What a great concise list for any day when you are having the blues. It helps to gain perspective and put little things into your day to make it through. I pinned this so I can remind myself later of how to switch it up a bit when I am in a funk! Thanks for the thoughts!
This post really made my day. I even found myself thinking about it again this morning. Thanks for your incredible recipes and sharing your infinite wisdom and wit. You’re inspiring!
‘Have a doughnut and scream into a pillow’. Sounds like my normal Monday routine!
love this post!
xo, cheyenne
Thank god for this. My Monday got worse at the end of the day- long drive to an evening meeting, bad weather on the drive, GPS didn’t take me the way I wanted to go, then the meeting threw me for a loop, and so on. But I came home, poured some wine, wrote down my notes from the meeting, and let it the heck go. And then I read this and I had ice cream (TWO flavors) and all is well! Thank you, Joy!
you’re doing it right!
I saw your post when I woke up this morning and didn’t have time to comment as I was running behind (yeah, it’s Monday alright). Because of your super delicious looking image, I’ve been craving doughnuts ever since! I did use your tip and wore a skirt to work and got a few compliments. Yay for looking and feeling good!
proud of you!
Just the kind of sentiments dearly needed on this Monday. Thanks for doing what you do!!!
whaling beats planking. fins down.
hahah! totally!
yo I’m sooo up for the doughnut option. that’s definitely my way to get through a monday!
What great thoughts on a Monday. I had to get up super early this morning for a trip to NYC for work. No special night plans for me but I love the idea. Date night Monday to come.
Monday is almost over, had a busy day canned stewed tomatoes, picked beans cleaned lettuce OMG I can’t wait for Tuesday I can rest. Nice donuts could have used them with my cup of coffee this morning. Paulette
I love you and I love your ideas for tackling Monday! Now I just need a cup of coffee and a cookie!
Everything about this post is fantastic. I’m especially big on both the Monday treats and ignoring the fashion bloggers who seem to have the funds for designer clothes, eating out, and island vacations all at once. Thanks for this lovely Monday post!
this is great, i needed this, thank you!!
YOU ARE AWESOME. I love this post, Joy! Some much needed strategies sometimes (even though I actually really like Mondays… haha). Going to go make that muesli right now! xo
https://www.youtube.com/sparklesandsuch26
i hope you like the muesli! total life-saver for me!
Love this! Have a donut and scream into a pillow haha
thank you for this ! <3 and doughnuts.. thankgoodness.
I started school today so I really needed this! Your donut tip had me laughing! :)
Thanks for the pep-talk, Joy! My coworkers and I are getting cocktails after work today, so that’s my light at the end of the tunnel. Plus, I had a new Joy the Baker podcast to listen to! Definitely what I needed this AM :)
Cat
https://oddlylovely.com
i love this! and needed this: “subtract internet when the internet is too much”. i find myself getting far too involved sometimes.
and another day is truly something to be thankful for :)
YES!
Good piece of advice – I’d apply that to any weekday
joy the baker wilson, i love you. thank you for being such a happy/real corner of the internet. you are appreciated!
Hi Joy! I just started reading your blog a few months ago, and this is my first time commenting. LOVELOVELOVE this post. Am going to print it off and post it on my fridge. :) Love your recipes, love your writing….thanks for blessing others with laughter and life! :)))
-Evelyn
a fridge post! that’s the ultimate compliment!
You are my favorite of all favorites and I am blaming you for my heavy doughnut intake. Don’t care.
This is an awesome list. I love a good to-do list! Thanks for sharing :-) Happy Monday!
i seriously love this post, joy! i’ve done most of those things today… because monday. and i’ve been feeling the internet jealousy/not making me feel too great thing lately – i tend to turn off the internet for a few hours and bake!
I’m thinking I need a doppelgรคnger to stay in the office for me while I go home and scream in a pillow til Monday is over.
Is that a viable option?
I did put on a bright, happy dress though.
that should totally be a viable option! i like the way you think!
I came to the blog expecting a new recipe; I’m leaving with a much better perspective on the hardest day of the week. You’re the best, Joy.
palm to forehead. i forgot deoderant. if i can add one: Read your favorite blogs Monday AM, although i guess that falls under treat yo self. Thanks for helping us through monday!
This, my friend was pure genious and awesome! I needed it. Espeically the internet check-out and possibly the scream in the pillow part. :-)
I stumbled upong your blog about a week ago and ever since i’ve fallen in love with it all. RIght from the way you talk us through a recipe-so playful-to the inspiring and enriching list of articles to read on your ‘Let it be Sunday’ bit. Thank you so much for all of it!! :D I just get this huge big grin every single time i read a post! Looking forward to many more exciting and inspiring post!
Love from the Sultanate of Oman!! :D
i appreciate that you’re here!
Thank u Joy! I really needed the pep talk/pick me up this morning :-)
Mondays are hard. Joy, thanks for today’s blog, some great ideas!
Thank you for introducing me to whaling and for making my Monday a little better!:) Have a good one.
Leah
I really needed to read this today, Joy. Thank you and Happy Monday!
Mondays are hard…that’s why we have Bachelor in Paradise.
I would be lost without my to-do list. But sometimes I’m even too busy to make one!! I think I’d prefer to just have a donut and scream into a pillow :)
Sues
Thanx. I REALLY NEEDED THIS POST TODAY! You set me STRAIGHT! Weeeee!
Also, there is “Monday’s pets on furniture” in desiretoinspire blog on Mondays.
so that’s good too. (:
I liked the idea of reaching deep into my closet and wearing something special, going for a walk, doing something un-Monday…such great ideas!
http://www.clementinebuttercup.blogspot.co.uk
Wonderful advice! Have a nice Monday :)
https://somebodyfromsomewhere.blogspot.com/
I loove this blog and your writing :-). Now I.can get out of bed..
Love, Lene