Monday at Last

“Monday at Last”

I am sitting paralyzed at the realization that Monday is less than 8 hours away. It feels like just yesterday, I left my office with a pep in my step and keys in hand, excited about the upcoming weekend. I am seriously considering not sleeping tonight in order to stretch out my weekend a few more hours.

I hate hating Mondays! As I sat, pouting and having a pity party, I figured out a few things that might help you and me not cry tomorrow morning.

• Stop living for the weekends. We have to stop seeing Monday as dooms day and Friday as the day of Jubilee. I am not sure if you know this, but restaurants take reservations for 2 on Mondays. Parks are still open to the public on Tuesdays. Movies have showings on Thursdays. Fun activities do not have office hours. Stop “existing” through the week and “living” on the weekends. Live life 7 days a week.
• Take daily selfies. I am not talking about photos either. Every day, do at least one thing that makes you smile. Go to that Zumba class  you loved so much on Tuesday nights. Treat yourself to your favorite cupcake spot at lunch on Monday. This Thursday, call your girlfriend and talk for an hour about things that make you laugh until your side hurts. Whether 5 minutes or 50, take time for a daily selfie.
• Maximize the mundane. I have come to grips with the fact that my 9 – 5 would not make the list of the top 10 exciting occupations but there are aspects of it that I really love. For example, I have a co worker that really should be a stand-up comedian. Each day, I make it a point to stop by her office just to get a good laugh. Also, since I work with the elderly I have started listening to their personal life stories. I have heard war and love stories that would put “Saving Private Ryan” and “The Notebook” to shame. I will continue to look for the little things about my day that really are diamonds in the rough.
• Shrink the “To Do” List. The weekday list of “To Dos” in most of our lives looks like rolling credits at the end of a movie. We spend our week days trying to check off a list that is forever growing. If we overbook our days, then every day we will feel overbooked. Figure out what things are truly “must dos” and which things are “will dos”.
• Change your thinking and your language. Don’t refer to your job as “this stupid dump” but rather “the place that I get to showcase my talents and skills”. Don’t think of getting your kids ready in the morning and to school on time as the “morning rat race” but as “another moment to bond with your babies”. Instead of saying “Monday already” ,how about trying “Monday at last!” I know it may sound like the power of positive thinking because it is. Your thinking changes your behavior and your behavior changes your experience. Make it a point to experience Monday differently this week and forever.