Starting Fresh: Making Monday Mornings more bearable with Coffee and Journaling

#MoreMeaningfulMondays Series

It’s Monday morning. Again.

Ever wonder why Mondays feel like such a drag? You’re definitely not alone! There are actually a few reasons why Mondays can be so tough:

• Weekend Bliss Contrast: Think about it – weekends are usually about relaxing, fun activities, and breaking away from the routine. This sudden shift to structure on Monday can feel like a rude awakening!
• Sleep Schedule Disruption: Many of us tend to sleep in later on weekends to catch up on rest. This can throw off our body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, making it harder to wake up early and feel energized on Monday.
• The “Sunday Scaries”: Some people experience anxiety or stress on Sunday evenings, often dubbed the “Sunday Scaries,” as they anticipate the upcoming work week. This can carry over into Monday morning.
• Workload Buildup: Sometimes, things pile up over the weekend, and you return to a mountain of tasks on Monday. This can feel overwhelming and contribute to the Monday blues.

So, it’s a combination of factors that makes Mondays feel particularly challenging. But hey, knowing why it happens can be the first step to tackling those Monday blues!

I’m still trying to help you (and me!) get through Mondays, and not only get through Mondays, but make Mondays a bit more MEANINGFUL.

I like to set myself challenges.

Monday mornings can be seriously depressing, I know…just for a moment, though, let’s look upon this Monday as a fresh start, a day to set one or more intentions, and embrace new opportunities. I make my Mondays more meaningful by combining two powerful practices: drinking coffee and journaling. This dynamic duo can help you start your day, and your week, with a certain amount of determination.

Making Mondays more meaningful can bring a ton of positive changes to your work week! Think of it this way:

• Boosted mood and positivity: Starting the week with a positive intention and focusing on the good stuff can seriously lift your spirits. It sets a brighter tone for the entire week.
• Increased motivation: When you feel like what you’re doing has a purpose, you’re way more likely to be motivated to tackle your goals.
• Enhanced productivity: A meaningful Monday can sharpen your focus and direct your energy towards achieving what you want.
• Greater resilience: By reinforcing positive beliefs, you build mental toughness to handle the week’s inevitable ups and downs.
• Improved sense of coherence: Routines that add meaning to your life, when practised consistently, can help you make sense of life events. This applies to both your work life and personal life.
• More engaged and valued team: In a work setting, when team members feel their opinions matter and their contributions are unique, it leads to a more connected and motivated team.
• Reduced stress: Focusing on what you can control and using positive affirmations can minimize stress and increase productivity.

Basically, injecting some meaning into your Mondays can transform your whole outlook, making the week feel less like a chore and more like an opportunity.

So, grab your favourite mug, fill it with your best brew, find a cosy spot, and let’s explore how coffee and journaling can transform your Monday mornings.

But first, I’d like yo to meet Clara.

In the quiet town of Meadowgrove, nestled between rolling hills and a whispering river, lived a woman named Clara. At forty-two, Clara had a life that was comfortable and predictable, but she yearned for something more—a sense of purpose and joy to infuse into her weekly routine, especially on Mondays.

Mondays had always been a challenge for Clara. The weekend’s relaxation would give way to the humdrum of the workweek, and she often found herself counting down the days until Friday. One crisp autumn morning, as she sipped her usual cup of coffee, she decided that enough was enough. She would make Mondays meaningful.

Clara began by setting her alarm a little earlier than usual. Instead of rushing through her morning routine, she took her time, savouring the quiet moments before the day truly began. She brewed her coffee with extra care, grinding the beans herself and enjoying the rich aroma that filled her kitchen. She chose a special mug, one with a quirky design that always made her smile, and settled into her favourite chair by the window.

With her coffee in hand, Clara opened a beautiful leather-bound journal she had bought years ago but never used. The pages were crisp and inviting, ready to hold her thoughts and dreams. She decided to start with gratitude, jotting down three things she was thankful for from the past week. It could be anything—the laughter shared with a friend, the beauty of a sunset, or the comfort of a good book.

As she wrote, Clara found that her mind began to clear, and her heart felt lighter. She then moved on to her intentions for the week ahead. What did she want to achieve? Who did she want to connect with? What small steps could she take towards her bigger goals? Writing these down made them feel more real, more achievable.

Over time, Clara’s Monday morning ritual became a sacred space for reflection and growth. She looked forward to the quiet moments with her coffee and journal, where she could be honest with herself about her feelings, her fears, and her hopes. She found that this simple practice had a ripple effect throughout her week, making her more mindful and present in her daily life.

One Monday, as Clara sat with her journal, she wrote about a long-held dream to start a community garden in Meadowgrove. She had always loved gardening but had never taken the leap to share her passion with others. With a newfound sense of purpose, she decided to take action. She reached out to her neighbours, shared her vision, and before she knew it, a group of enthusiastic volunteers had come together to bring the garden to life.

The community garden became a symbol of Clara’s transformation. What had started as a simple desire to make Mondays more meaningful had blossomed into a project that brought joy and connection to her entire community. Clara’s journals filled with stories of new friendships, shared harvests, and the simple pleasures of watching something grow from a tiny seed.

And so, Clara’s Mondays became a day of renewal and possibility. With each cup of coffee and every page filled in her journal, she discovered that meaning could be found in the smallest of moments, and that every day held the potential for something beautiful to begin.

Coffee is my Essential Monday Morning Fuel There’s something magical about that first sip of coffee in the morning, any morning, but especially Monday mornings. Beyond its invigorating smell and taste, coffee can provide a powerful boost of energy that can jumpstart your day. The caffeine can stimulate your mind, help you focus, and make you more alert, setting the stage for a (surprisingly) productive Monday. As you savour each sip, MINDFULLY, allow yourself to become fully present and appreciative of the moment and the potential this Monday holds.

Dispel the Monday Morning Blues Journaling can bring loads of interesting insights, so as you sit down with your coffee, take a few moments to write a couple of words in your journal. What and who are you grateful for this Monday morning? This act of putting pen to paper/fingers on keyboards, helps you set intentions for the day, acknowledge your emotions, and gain perspective on what actually matters to you:

Monday Morning Prompt: What are three intentions you want to set for yourself this Monday? How can these intentions positively impact your day, your week, and your overall sense of fulfilment? Take a few moments to write them down and explore why they are important to you. Consider how you can align your actions, mindset, and priorities with these intentions to create a truly meaningful Monday.

Grab another Cup if you are still not properly awake and write some morning pages. A popular form of journaling, writing morning pages is a concept introduced by Julia Cameron in her book “The Artist’s Way.” Morning Pages involve writing three pages of stream-of-consciousness thoughts, without any censorship or judgment. This practice helps clear mental clutter, unleashes creativity, and allows you to explore your innermost desires. More about Morning Pages.

Go to a Coffee Shop If you have difficulty waking up on Monday mornings, take it slow. Create your own Monday Morning ritual. Visit a local coffee shop. The ambient noise, gentle chatter, and cosy atmosphere can provide a soothing backdrop for your creativity (as in problem-solving ability) to flourish. Coffee shops also offer a sense of community, giving you the opportunity to connect with fellow coffee enthusiasts or observe the bustling Monday morning routines of others, sparking new ideas for your own. Find out how to unlock the transformative power of Journaling.

By dedicating this time to yourself at the beginning of the week, you’ll set a positive tone that can carry you through the rest of the day, and even the rest of the week.

May your Mondays be filled with meaning!

More Musings HERE.