There’s a reason the phrase “Somebody’s got a case of the Mondays!” from Office Space sticks around. If there anything harder than going to work after a gloriously relaxing/fun/productive weekend?
Even when I am 100% psyched to get started on my week, there is still a small part of me that wishes I could stay in bed with my dogs. (To be fair, have you seen my pups? They are adorable and excellent cuddlers.)
To help ease my way back into the week, I have a few tried-and-true tricks, (some of which are backed up by a recent Real Simple article):
Caffeine + sugar – Never underestimate the power of a treat! For me, it’s a latte from a coffeeshop (Why does it always taste better when someone else makes it for me?) and/or a blueberry old-fashioned from Greenbush Bakery. The pleasures may be simple, but they’re enough to get me through parking on-campus!
Breaks with friends – Most Mondays, I get to head out for a lunch break on Monroe Street with friends. A delicious lunch at Pizza Brutta, followed by a quick trip to Trader Joe’s for essentials gives me a chance to get up from my desk, catch up on weekend news and plan my lunches for the week!
Make a list on Friday – Speaking of planning my week, I absolutely love making a list right before I leave the office on a Friday. It is a wonderful period on the week and sets me up for success on Monday. Bonus: it gives me an excuse to use my ridiculous stack of office supplies.
One step from the Real Simple article I hadn’t considered making a habit was completing an act of kindness. I can’t think of a better way to start my (and hopefully someone else’s) week off right! Surprising a stranger with something nice is so fun. I can’t wait to buy a donut, latte or overpriced stationery for the next person in line after me!