Hey friends! Good morning! Here we are staring a Monday straight in the face. There’s only one way to see it through. We’re going to need a stellar to-do list. Now… the secret to a solid to-do list is 1) including all the mundane crap you actually have to accomplish, 2) adding some easy-to-cross-off items to the list (to keep morale up), and 3) including some treats for yourself (as motivation and self-care).
Here’s some additions and suggestions for your Monday to-do list. I’m rooting for you! We’re going to make this day a good one.
โข Oil pulling (Yea… we’re late but we’re doing this now) whilst laying in bed quick scrolling through email and Instagram.
โข Wash face with that extra scrubby stuff for extra wakefulness.
โข Pay the phone bill and the car payment and call the insurance people? It’s ok. These things are easy… give yourself fifteen minutes and knock it out. KO.
โข Do the dishes while listening to this podcast: Beautiful Anonymous.
โข Confirm that you are in fact wearing pants of some sort before leaving the house.
โข Drink a bigger glass of water than you feel like drinking. Ideally with unsweetened cranberry juice.
โข Procrastinate for a few moments by reading yesterday’s Let It Be Sunday post.
โข Make late morning tea snack: Golden Milk. I boost mine up with Vital Proteins because this stuff has seriously made my hair and nails stronger.
โข Write the to-do list. See? We get to check this one off!
โข If you find yourself getting stymied by lack of focus try the Pomodoro Technique. Essentially, work really hard and focused for 25 minutes, setting a timer, taking 5 minute breaks in between.
โข Buy strawberries, pistachios, and whipped cream or heavy cream so we can please our future-selves with a crumble.
โข Sign up for yoga after work.
โข Actually go to yoga after work… don’t worry about the traffic getting there or the parking that’s annoying. It’s worth it.
โข Monday night mellow rewards: Deep condition hair. Put on that face mask you never put on but always mean to. Treat yourself to that little bit of Easter candy still in the pantry, plus wine.
Unrelated note: Season 13 is the best season of Survivor. I know because I obviously can’t stop watching or talking about it. This phase will be over soon. Thank you for your patience with me.
Let’s make Monday great!
xo Joy
33 Responses
Just a note to say I really appreciate your blog :)
For me it’s bingeing “Orange is the new black” amazing! Just started season 3. Can’t stop watching it. Still working on the yoga and the pants………Seriously though, I am going to try the Pomodoro technique. Thanks, good list.
Heyo, Golden Milk is strangely delicious! I drank it last night while watching season 3 of Orphan Black (my tv queue is years long). Also, listened to that Beautiful Anonymous podcast, Ron Paul’s Baby. What a weird conversation. Anyway, thanks for this list (and all your lists, cuz you’re kickass at lists)!
Love this post…just getting to read it TODAY which is Tuesday. I may actually watch Survivor for the first time in 10 years because you’ve inspired me. Thanks for always brightening my day Joy!
Oh my yes. Yes to all your suggested Monday list things. I have a bottle of specially-formulated oil pulling oil that’s been sitting on my sink for a month. Time to bust it open and get swishing :)
I loved this post and it helped me to face Monday morning! I hope you will make it a regular post, just like Let It Be Sunday!
I like the way you think!
Wait till you get to last season of survivor. It. Is. So. Good.
Liking your list. Sounds productive and nice and healthy. I baked the world’s best banana bread today so my job here is done. I can spend the rest of the day napping in the sun like a cat.
https://naramatablendblog.wordpress.com/2016/04/18/going-bananas-on-monday-life-changing-banana-bread-recipe/
I dare anyone to come up with a better banana bread.
Have you checked out Thrive Market? The collagen peptides are SO much cheaper over there – it makes the membership fee totally worth it (plus for every membership sold, they give one to a family in need)! It’s clutch for pantry staples. Happy Monday!
I’m on it!!!!!! Thanks, chick! :) I have been putting off exfoliating with the scrubby stuff for weeks!
Love this! Also I didn’t realize Survivor was still a show – well I know what I’m bingeing on next.
P.S. Do people still have leftover Easter candy?!
I just discovered the Beautiful Anonymous podcast and am catching up on the past handful of episodes. The first one is still my favorite, but I’m always amazed at how a seemingly mundane call turns stunning in less than 60 minutes.
I sat down to read this post with a mug of Tracyยดs turmeric latte, no joke. A great start to my Monday.
omg your comment about yoga was literally me last night!! “but the traffic”…it’s always so worth it! thanks for the reminder!
To this every Monday please!
Here i thought i was the only one who put easy things on my to do list (just so i could cross them out!). I’m with you on Survivor – this season is great, however I’m not really routing for anyone. I know who I don’t want to win, but do I care who actually wins? Not so much.
The oil pulling is very interesting but 20 minutes? I sure don’t have an extra 20 minutes in the a.m. :-(
Thanks for the podcast suggestion, hard to find new ones that are good, this one looks really good!
Have a great day, Joy!
Honestly, I don’t go the full twenty minutes most mornings.
Your posts always light up a smile on my face. What a great way to start the week!!
And I haven’t tried oil pulling. Need to give it a try.
Love this. Time to make the list and get after it!
All I have to say is, THANK GOD someone else is still obsessed with Survivor like I am. After a 10 year hiatus I have been devouring old episodes online. I personally love Season 3 as well, probably because I have a little crush on Ethan and can’t believe how real the “survival” actually was that season (hellooo lions outside of their camp!).
Next, I am all over Season 3! Ive yet to see Ethan or lions. I thank you.
For years now, my brother and his friends have had the tradition of “Survivor Night” each Wednesday (which, along with watching the show, includes forties and Chinese takeout). I hadn’t realized there were more like them…
It sounds crazy, but waking up super early and getting in a run (not jog) is the very best way to kick Monday in the pants. the rest of the day seems super easy. Maybe a chilled golden milk after…who knows. Thanks for the kindness!
NO. SURVIVOR IS THE MOST UNDERRATED SHOW EVER OF ALL TIME. The island politics are insane, man. Like, I’m pretty sure I’m the only person I know in my relative age group who still watches the show. Well, & now you. & Season 13’s Ozzy was, like, dream city, so I don’t really blame you.
You understand me! I feel like Ozzy was robbed! (Who am I?)
Because he was robbed. In a way, we were all robbed. Survivor is a heart breaker. It consistently reminds me that life is not fair, & that food & sleep deprivation are all very bad things. I mean, at least get on board with the latter.
Season 13 – Ozzy! He’s a legend! I totally enjoy your Survivor comments because I definitely binge watched all the (good) seasons a few months ago on Amazon. Keep it up. No shame.
I love this post. Reading it first thing in the morning was the best and has completely given me motivation to work on my to -do list, which I had just finished writing before I read this. Will definitely do a Monday night mellow reward too!
P.S. I have tried the Pomodoro technique at times and it really helps you just get things done when you are feeling unfocused or unmotivated.
Love this post Joy… making Monday joyful x
I’m trying to drink more water as well. I never thought to sweeten with cranberry juice though!
https://vodkaandarose.blogspot.co.uk
I love the sound of unsweetened cranberry juice (and this list in general!) Thanks for helping me kick off Monday with a smile on my face after reading this post ????
This is a pretty good to do list. Accomplish some must do’s and get Golden Milk and yoga. Count me in.