Monday morning will come again — whether you like it or not — and it can feel really sad (and stressful, overwhelming, etc.). However, it doesn't have to be the typical melodramatic day we all make it out to be. If you prepare for the week on Sunday, you may even like waking up and heading off to work.
OK, hear me out on this one, because I know that sounds like a tall order. But really, what's so bad about Mondays? Well, in my experience, a "case of the Mondays" usually comes from the shock of going from the carefree weekend, to the structured chaos of the work week. On the weekend you can eat whenever, wear whatever you please, and acknowledge time only when it's convenient.
Monday, and all the other work days, force you to wear work clothes, and eat breakfast in a timely manner, and stick to a strict schedule. Of course these things aren't the definition of "fun," but they suck way more than necessary when you aren't prepared. That's why planning ahead can make the work week so much better. Dare I even say enjoyable?
If you'd like to give it a try, and actually greet Monday with vigor (for once), then here are some things you should do on Sunday, to feel more prepared for the week ahead.
1. Organize Your To-Do List
When it comes to getting ready for the week, the best place to start is with your to-do list. Not only will it help you feel more prepared, but it will allow you to see exactly what needs to get done, and when. Organized it with the following three things in mind: they’re physical actions, they can be finished in one sitting, and they’re tasks that only the to-do-list writer can do, according to Shana Lebowitz on Greatist.com. Stick to those rules, and you to-do list should wind up being super handy.
Try: Bloom Daily Planner With To-Do List, $13.95, Amazon
2. Get Your Laundry Done
The last thing you need come Wednesday is a shortage of clean shirts, a lack of underwear, or an insufficient amount of socks. So gather up all your clothes, and have yourself a laundry day. You'll be so glad you did.
3. Do A Big Grocery Shop
If you're constantly coming home to an empty fridge, then get in the habit of stocking up on Sundays. "Grocery shopping on Sunday ... will not only help you eat healthier, but it’ll also free you up from having to run back to the store every other day," said Shannon Rosenberg on Buzzfeed.com. And really, who has time for that?
4. Clean Out Your Bag
I don't know how it happens, but by the end of the week my bag is jingling with loose change, and overflowing with crumpled up receipts. Does that sound familiar? Then spend a few minutes on Sunday cleaning out your purse or bag, suggested Kat Collings on the style blog WhoWhatWear.com. You'll feel much lighter, and more organized, without all those old gum wrappers bogging you down.
5. Prep Some Snacks For The Week
I'm sure your week is about to be incredibly busy, so get ready for the chaos by prepping at least five snack containers. Think cut up fruit, veggies, or pre-made salads. They'll be a good go-to snack when you're too busy (or broke) to run to the corner store, and way healthier than a donut, or bag of chips.
6. Actually Make Real Food
You can go one step further and actually make meals for the week. Yes, it takes a bit of time, but the effort will save you from coming home and facing a sad and empty fridge. Or worse, coming home and eating five-day-old take out. (Gross.) All you have to do is make a batch of soup, or bake a lasagna, and it'll feel like you have magic dinner all week long.
7. Plan Outfits For The Week
You're going to be groggy on Monday (and Tuesday, and Wednesday...) morning, so plan for it by pairing up outfits before the week begins. As Collings said, "The best outfits are born when you’re not feeling stressed by a mountain of emails in the morning or hurrying to make an 8 a.m. meeting." As a chronic last-minute outfit maker, I totally agree.
8. Schedule A Few Fun Plans
Send out some texts and nail down a few plans with friends, even if it just means getting coffee after work on Wednesday. It'll give you something to look forward to, while also helping to slow down your week in the best way possible, according to Lisette Mejia on PopSugar.com. After all, your week shouldn't be all about that nine to five grind.
9. Get Your Gym Bag Ready To Go
Most of us start the week with the best of on intentions — we plan to go to the gym, or to get up early every morning to run. And yet, these plans are often foiled, usually due to a lack of preparation. "If you pack your entire week’s worth of outfits in one bag and keep it in your car or at your desk at work, you won’t have the 'I forgot my workout gear' excuse to skip the gym," Collings said. Hey, it might just be worth a try.
Try: MyKazoe Water Resistant Gym Bag, $23, Amazon
10. Spruce Up Your Apartment
Get ready for Monday with a clean, sparkly apartment. Or at least one that isn't overflowing with clutter and dirty dishes. Take out the trash, load the dishwasher, make your bed — it'll give a whole different feeling to the start of your week. On Monday morning you will be so pleased with yourself.
11. Clean Up Your Electronics
After a week of snacking and then typing, your keyboard can get pretty grubby. Same with your phone. (Why is it sticky?) So take a few minutes and give all your electronics a wipe down. As Mejia said, "Leave your gadgets sparkling clean ... by cleaning them appropriately, whether that be with a liquid or air can."
Try: MavenGifts Green Tea Cucumber Electronics Wipes, $9, Amazon
12. Plan On A Good Monday Morning Breakfast
You don't have to do it every day, but prepping the next morning's breakfast is like giving a little present to yourself. Take a few minutes to lay out the ingredients for waffles, or bake some muffins. "Getting a good start to the week is crucial and having your breakfast ready to go in the morning will save you time, keep you on schedule, and allow you to start the day comfortably," Rosenberg said.
13. Remember To Relax
I know, this is quite the list of chopping, cleaning, cooking, and shopping. Do what you can to prepare for the week, but don't spend your entire Sunday running around and exhausting yourself. Set aside time to relax, as that's also an incredibly important way to spend the last day of your weekend.
Even if you just do one or two of these things, you'll be setting yourself up for a much easier, and more organized week.
Images: Pexels (14)
