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11 Little Ways To Get Through This Monday

August 25, 2014 by Joy the Baker 62 Comments

Processed with VSCOcam with c2 preset

Welcome!  Here we are, all up in another Monday.  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.  It’s like we’re holding hands through this one… but it’s not awkward or creepy…. it’s cool.

•  Don’t skip breakfast.  Hangry 10am email responses are not a good look.  This Toasted Oat and Coconut Muesli is easy to make, super healthful, and a great weekday morning hangry fighter.

•  Look good / Feel good!  I try to reach into the back of my closet on a Monday morning.  I reach for a dress that may have fallen out of my regular rotation but used to be a look good / feel good staple.  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.  Feeling confident walking into a Monday goes a long way!

•  Treat yo’self.   Have an extra cup of coffee and a cookie too!  Just enough to be a treat without feeling guilty.  It’s Monday and thank goodness not everyday is Monday.  It’s usually during this coffee and cookie breaks that I take some time to write out my to-do list.

•  A to-do list is essential!  Monday to-do lists must never take themselves too seriously.  Ideally they’re speckled with easy tasks like “make and drink coffee, twice” as well as unexpected tasks like “walk the long way to lunch”.  All of the hardline stuff about emails, deadlines, and commitments will fill in the rest of the madness, but take it easy on yourself.  Take it eeeaaasssyyyy.

•  Go for a walk.  Seriously.  Do the dang thing!  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.  It really does lead to a change in brain space.

•  When in doubt, watch people whale for a minute or two.  It’s oddly entertaining.

•  Decide that you have the time to do something distinctly un-Monday.  Bust out the stationary and write a quick letter to your grandmother, to your best friend, or to your mama.  Something about Mondays make us feel like we don’t have time for these small and loving moments.  It just takes a few minutes and it’s distinctly un-Monday.

•  Listen to a thoughtful podcast or a new playlist!  I love Snap Judgement’s The End of the Line.  This playlist will be blasting in my kitchen this Monday morning.  Real!

• Subtract the Internet when the Internet is too much.  Maybe it’s seeing everyone on Instagram in Mexico, on a road trip, or eating all of the things.  When the Monday Internet makes me feel the least bit bummed, jealous, or otherwise not awesome…. I’M OUT!  Check right on out.  Mondays are hard enough without having to see everyone you know/don’t know on Instagram enjoying Tulum.  Peace.Out!

•  Make an evening plan.  Last minute happy hour date!  On the fly dinner out!  Pink wine!  Call a friend!  Popcorn on the couch! Plans large or small… an after work situation is a lovely carrot to dangle in front of your face.

•  When all else fails, have a doughnut and scream into a pillow until Monday subsides.  Fairly effective though a touch melodramatic.

Remember, tomorrow is Tuesday and what a blessing that is!  Go easy and be kind to yourself.  Have a great week!  Tomorrow we’re making doughnuts and that’s really good news.

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Filed Under: Beyond the Kitchen

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  1. Heather

    August 27, 2014 at 8:45 am

    awesome :)

    Reply
  2. Between Two (@betweentwoblog)

    August 26, 2014 at 4:40 pm

    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

    Reply
  3. Lucie

    August 26, 2014 at 2:31 pm

    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)

    Reply
  4. melanieingland

    August 26, 2014 at 10:26 am

    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!

    Reply
  5. Gina

    August 26, 2014 at 8:50 am

    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!

    Reply
  6. Jesse Owen

    August 26, 2014 at 7:26 am

    ‘Have a doughnut and scream into a pillow’. Sounds like my normal Monday routine!

    Reply
  7. Cheyenne Wehren

    August 26, 2014 at 1:13 am

    love this post!
    xo, cheyenne

    Reply
  8. Gaby

    August 25, 2014 at 10:40 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      August 26, 2014 at 7:06 am

      you’re doing it right!

      Reply
  9. Nicole B.

    August 25, 2014 at 9:15 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      August 26, 2014 at 7:06 am

      proud of you!

      Reply
  10. Mary @ flavorrd

    August 25, 2014 at 8:24 pm

    Just the kind of sentiments dearly needed on this Monday. Thanks for doing what you do!!!

    Reply
  11. Caitlin

    August 25, 2014 at 7:25 pm

    whaling beats planking. fins down.

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      August 26, 2014 at 7:06 am

      hahah! totally!

      Reply
  12. Graham @ Glazed & Confused

    August 25, 2014 at 6:03 pm

    yo I’m sooo up for the doughnut option. that’s definitely my way to get through a monday!

    Reply
  13. emmajeanne16

    August 25, 2014 at 5:54 pm

    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.

    Reply
  14. Paulette

    August 25, 2014 at 5:43 pm

    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

    Reply
  15. tara

    August 25, 2014 at 5:16 pm

    I love you and I love your ideas for tackling Monday! Now I just need a cup of coffee and a cookie!

    Reply
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