I like Mondays - love them, in fact - seriously, I do!
I love them for the same reason I like bedtimes and mornings, the first day of the month, and the New Year.
Because it's a chance to reset, refocus and reboot. To draw a line under yesterday and begin again.
I know I can do this at any moment of the day, and sometimes I do. But the turning of the day/week/month/year is a useful marker - a regular reminder to check in and recalibrate.
Like many people, I used to dread Mondays - and it wasn't because I was in a job I hated. It was because I was overwhelmed with all the things I hadn't done and still had to do.
I was overwhelmed because I was weighed down with a massive pile of SHOULDs and SUPPOSED TOs.
I was supposed to have cleared out that room, or written that blog post, or created that course, or got to the gym 3 times, or___ (insert endless tasks ad nauseam).
The turning of the week was just a big old reminder that I was behind. Permanently behind on, well, everything. So why bother?
Which doesn't lead anywhere good. I was in a cycle of overwhelm, procrastination, and self-criticism. Nothing got done. Which led to... overwhelm, procrastination and self-criticism.
Point. Less.
Does this sound familiar? Do you have a to-do list as long as your arm? Do you feel constantly as if you're snowed-under? Do you give yourself a hard time about all the things you haven't done yet?
And therefore, have you given up even thinking about the really big dreams and goals, because - who are you kidding - you can't even get it together to put the laundry away?
Talking to yourself this way - how is that working out for you? Do you find it motivating when people criticise you?
Course not. No one likes criticism, it's just not an effective motivational tool.
Lately, I have been using a mantra that helps me to be compassionate yet productive, and it makes me smile every time.
Do you want to hear it? It may change your life. Here it is:
"Well, I didn't."
Ok - I know it doesn't sound like much, but I'm telling you, this seemingly nothing little phrase is a game-changer.
Why? Because it completely sweeps away all the criticism, all the judgement, and all the weight of perfectionism.
"I should've... Well I didn't." And so NOW what? What will you do NOW?
It's a clean slate - which is precisely the point. Every Monday is a brand new week. Last week is gone, draw a line under it.
What are you doing this week? Today? Right now?
Begin again.
Thankfully, I am much easier on myself now. I get a lot done, without feeling pressured or overwhelmed. I work towards my goals, and I remind myself of them frequently. Daily, in fact.
And every moment I remember, I begin again. And again.
Sound do-able?
Big love,
P.S. Self-criticism is a hard habit to break. I had support - lots of it. Could you give yourself permission to be supported? Book a free 30-min discovery session with me, I want to help you like Mondays, too.
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