It's Monday So Be Kind To Yourself

Monday is my least favorite day of the week and I can imagine most of you reading this would agree. I start to get that feeling in the pit of my stomach on Sunday afternoons knowing what is just around the corner...

Why do I hate Mondays so much? Because I am way too hard on myself! I spend most of my Mondays feeling overwhelmed with the amount of work ahead of me and the amount of work that did not get done over the weekend. Once I've gone through my emails and looked over my schedule for the week, I spend a solid 15 minutes self-loathing.

"I ate way too much this weekend."
"I really should have gotten more sleep."
"I probably did not need that second glass of wine."
"Did my pants feel this tight last week?"
"I really need to spend more time in the gym this week."

Does this sound familiar? If not, then lucky you! I am green with envy. If it sounds like I was recently eavesdropping on a conversation between you and yourself, then pull up seat and let me remind you that Mondays are the best day to give yourself a break! It's ok if you gobbled down some extra cookies and the chances of your pants getting tighter over the weekend are highly unlikely! These thoughts are in our heads as if we do not deserve to relax and be lazy once in awhile. Below are some easy tips to help keep you on track with some self-love all week long!

1. Find something to look forward to. Mondays (or any day) should not just be about "getting through the day." It is much easier to get out of bed and stay motivated if you have something positive to look forward to. Meet some friends for a walk after work, take the family bowling, try that new yoga studio that just opened or sign up for fun class you've always wanted to try.

2. Keep your Mondays light. While you may not have control over your entire schedule, make sure to take some time out of the day for you. Listen to some music, jot down a few thoughts on a piece of paper, or just sit at your desk and doodle for a minute or two. By taking breaks throughout the day, you are more likely to be focused with it counts!

3. Make someone else happy. Compliment a co-worker, do something extra for a customer, send a thank you note, or donate to your favorite charity. Your mood will never suffer when you pay it forward!

​Good luck, everyone!