Monday Motivation: Increasing Joy into the Start of your Day

Happy Monday. Let’s face it before we can get to a midweek check in and celebrate the weekend vibe, we need to go through a Monday. As Mondays start with a negative connotation, let’s find a way to bring a little joy. One we are in Summer months, we are alive, and more we have the power to add joy just with some simple small steps.

How did you Wake up This Monday?

I would love to say that I wake up every morning super happy and focused but I don’t. Like many, my mornings can be just as hectic. So when I realize that I didn’t start my mornings right, I change the focus. I ask myself a few questions, have I centered myself? Eat or hydrated. Making sure you have done a check in on the insides and feuling is important. Ask yourself those questions as you start your day. If that doesn’t work, I add movement. This can be as simple as a walk. Or maybe doing a little exercise or small workout to get the blood moving. When you need some energy you can create it. Make a playlist that gets you going too. Don’t estimate the power of music.

Music Mondays

As we start Monday there are plenty of options for music to get you started. I do different playlists for my moods. Monday, can be as mellow or with high energy as you need it to be. What is your go to song? Don’t have time to make a playlist because your Monday has started-make one ahead of time. So this could be how you wind down your Sundays. Also maybe you can’t make a long list, add a few songs to start. What’s your go to song? Mine is Smile, by Kirk Franklin. It helps me to move, as well as walk in gratitude.

Monday Breakfast

I hear so many say things like they don’t eat breakfast because of lack of time. Prepare your meals the night before. Make overnight oats, some eggs and sides, or even simply pour yourself a smoothie. Smoothies can be bought from the store or made the night before. Breakfast is important and often times it’s about you feuling yourself for what you need. We make excuses but if we take the things that would weigh us down and turn it around for our benefit.

Mondays Off

There are a few folks that are starting their Monday today off. It’s the observance of Juneteenth for many. While that may mean a short week, keep a few things in mind. Prepare your Tuesday today as you would a Monday. Rest. Stay hydrated. Find the little joys that you can. For me, I am starting this Monday with no alarm clock. The ability to sleep in even for me means 9am is a blessing. Enjoy your days off. Unless you have to, delegate items that aren’t a real need to another day. Allow your body to experience the joys of your day off. I for one am truly grateful for no media events today. I plan to get content done but not until the afternoon. This allows me to enjoy my time. Sip some coffee. I plan to do some puzzles-all relaxing.

Joys of the Week

I started to make a list of all of the joys of each week. Writing them down and seeing them is super helpful. Often times we tell ourselves that we have so much on our plate that we won’t get anything done. Those joys of the week help to keep my personal focus and allow me something to look forward to. What are at least 3 simple joys? I’ll start you out with 2: the weekend and rest. Always include rest in your week. Even with my hectic schedule I find simple rest in my week.

So as another Monday comes into play, do what you need to feed you. Replenish your joy basket daily. Simple joys like starting the week with a new coffee creamer flavor can be a joy. New stickers for your journal or planners can be joys. For me I have new activity pads that I will share later this week. Happy Monday. Take care of yourself this week. Simply taking care of you and thinking about your wellness is a great way to check in and add joy to all areas of your life.