3 Life-changing Tips for a Happy Monday

When it comes to days of the week, there is one day that gets more flack than any other, Monday. You don’t need a 2,000 word essay to explain why it’s the black sheep, we all know. It’s when the cycle starts anew. The rekindling of routine that encompasses work, chores and the societal and financial dictation of our time. Even as children, we’re given reason after reason to despise it. School is cultural preparation for work in more way than just grades after all. With home education on the rise; I am curious to see whether the next generation is one with a different relationship to Mondays than us. I honestly believe that we’re conformed into disliking the day because of societal patterns but there are things you can do to make it better. If you want to top-off your Monday, why not get your happy on and follow my 3 life-changing tips?

1) Reduce Your Workload

Arguably, one of the biggest drains come Monday morning is knowing that you’ll be starting the day busy. Of course, it’s a mood killer if you start the week cleaning, return to the office to a tight deadline or have to get the kids’ clothes and food ready for school. Where possible, try to address these things Friday instead! This can work out whatever your situation.

• Have the school clothes sorted earlier (or have a Monday morning spare).
• Prepare any food ahead of time (if not Friday, then Sunday and have the kids help).
• Clean together as a family, before ending Sunday. Honestly, not cleaning is an option too – or putting it off to Tuesday and spreading jobs across the week.
• If you work from or study from home; do any prep work before you finish on Friday (or quickly at the weekend).

Do whatever you can in the office to make the return less painful. These are only a few examples of course. Hopefully, you get the gist.

#2) Have Something to Look Forward To

This makes all of the difference! If your whole day is work, chores, bills or studying then give yourself an extra treat to take those Monday blues away. There are any number of ways to do this!

• If you have flexible working hours; either have an earlier or later start than normal. Allowing you to get away sooner or lay in bed longer (I totally choose the latter).
• Spend some time in nature.
• Have a girls night or boys night (either with the kids, or with your friends).
• Rent a movie.
• Play a game.
• Enjoy some live music.
• Visit a bakery.
• Have an off-day from your diet.
• Pamper yourself that evening.

Whatever works for you and your situation; do it!

#3) Take a Long Hard Look at Why Mondays Don’t Work For You (and Change it)

I realise that this is easier said than done. If the above tips don’t make a difference though, it could be because there is a serious problem in your life that needs addressing. Happiness is complicated and finding a solution is never easy; but dreading the start of the week is a very obvious sign that the cycle of events that come with it are draining you mentally and emotionally.

The most common reasons we dislike Monday mornings so much are work or school. So, this could this be a sign that you are in the wrong job? When it comes to school, is there a particular reason? Bullies? Not getting what is needed from the system? Or just wanting to be elsewhere doing other things.

Similarly, dissatisfaction with Mondays when it comes to more domestic settings might be a sign that is time to return to work or that you aren’t getting the support you need. Equally, it could be a million over things but the point is that if this is the case, it is a sign that change is required.

That’s the thing, sometimes parts of your life that seem set in stone, aren’t. They just require a bit of thought, planning and a little time to correct. This is not true of everything of course but if Monday mornings fill you with anxiety, perhaps it is worth wondering if that is the case and confiding in a friend or loved-one as how to make it better.