Published by: Aaron Kell
Written by: Meghan Wagner
- Jam it Out!!
Start by having a solid go-to playlist, or a few. Think about classic (to you) songs, or just songs that make you feel good. For me that would be 90’s Jams, showcasing the likes of Beck, Third Eye Blind, Oasis and such. It’s possible you would benefit from a pre-made workout playlist on Spotify. If Hip-Hop is your thing, make a list of the best. Just knowing you don’t have to try (or think) that hard to get some good tunes flowing is gonna pick you up just that much faster.
To see what YouTube recommends on Mondays, check here:
- Dress for Success
Go to bed on Sunday night with an idea of what you’ll want to wear tomorrow. Take into account the day’s tasks: a regular work day, group presentation, running a boat load of errands, etc. Figure out not only how functional you need your outfit to be, but also how comfortable you want to be. Our desires for these ideas change from week to week based on what our priorities and short-term goals are, which is part of what makes picking out your outfit fun. I totally commend yoga pants on a Monday, but consider pairing them with a cute, cozy top instead of the first thing you find on your floor, which you’ll end up having to turn inside-out in the bathroom because a rando discovered last Friday’s pizza stain and thought he was being kind by pointing it out to you (this is me commiserating with you, not judging you). If picking out your outfit the night before is not your thing, just think about what kind of style you’ll be in the mood for. Just by having an idea of what direction you want to take your own wardrobe before you even get there is going to help make the process simpler and smoother. I’m not saying this will make deciding what to wear simple and smooth, but simpler and smoother.
- Find joy in the little things
Take your time to pack a healthy but satisfying lunch or really yummy snacks. Walk to campus and with this new chunk of time and pick up a piping cup of Oolong to switch it up. Take your chance to review Tumblr and Pinterest without the guilt of not responding to that (kinda?) important email or you know, doing homework. This time can be perfect for carrying-out mundane, somewhat mindless tasks that should get done. Monday mornings can actually serve the purpose of being productive, and setting a high, yet attainable standard to set a good pace of productivity for your week.
For some delectable suggestions, check here:
- Wake up a ½ hour earlier than necessary
Hey, hear me out here, I’m not excited about this one either. Part of what makes Mondays so perpetually unpleasant is the morning rush. If you have a regular 9-5 job, or are a student attending traditional classes, by the time Monday morning rolls around you are out of your routine. Between battling the great debates of getting up and putting at least some effort into your appearance or clutching even tighter to those fleeting, precious moments of sleep, before frantically looking for something resembling breakfast food (or just something edible if it’s “one of those Mondays”) or just not eating because you’re whipping around like The Flash and ain’t nobody got time for breakfast (unless it’s brunch-which it’s not, because it’s fucking Monday) Mondays are just going to make you feel rushed. By waking up just half an hour earlier than you need to to fulfill your morning routine you are giving yourself the gifts of time and sanity. You could sleep for an extra 15-30 minutes (which yes you would be doing anyway, but in the moment it feels like finding that last present hidden behind the tree) or you could actually use the time. Allow yourself to spend extra time in the shower, or have a bath if that’s what you prefer. Watch an episode of Friends while putting on your make-up or eating breakfast (I recommend “The One with the Embryos” if you’re in need of a suggestion). Stop denying your inner child and actually make yourself a smiley face pancake. Just do something easy that you love, that sounds good in the moment. The only limitation is this treat can’t have a great potential of totally derailing your whole routine, like watching Games of Thrones in bed. Sorry folks, I wish that last one really would help me get ready in the morning…