Monday Mood

I normally dread Mondays—except when they’re holidays and signal a three-day weekend. I decided this needed to change. Rather than dread Monday and the return to work, could I create practices that would diminish the dread and increase thoughts of gratitude, joy, and possibility?

For this to work, my weekends needed to become restorative.

On Saturdays, I set aside time for things I enjoy. This weekend the weather was nice, so I walked to the coffee shop down the block and sat outside. I went to the library with my wife, had therapy, saw a movie, then watched the last two UFC fights. Sunday was spent at church, followed by an afternoon walk to a coffee shop, laundry, groceries, coloring, basketball on TV, and reading.

One hard and fast rule: no work on weekends. On Friday, I make my to-do list so that when I arrive Monday morning, I’m ready to go. The second practice is limiting my device time and media consumption. Now when Monday dread arrives, I can redirect it by listing what I’m looking forward to.

It takes effort—at least for me—to work myself away from dread and toward possibility. Effort that is worth it.

What can you do on the weekends so on Monday you feel restored?​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​