Let me start by saying this. I would be lying if I said that I never dread Mondays.

My problem with dreading Mondays is I don’t like the power that it has over me and my overall mood. Why should Monday be any worse than Sunday or Tuesday. I get it, I really do. Monday is the begging of another week which means we all have to snap out of our weekend mentality and put on our week day faces.

arianaraw ariana raw los angeles california los angeles blogger lifestyle blog lgbtq gay lesbian girls who like girls natural hair black girl magic black girls melanin curly hair photography art menswear tomboy tomboy style travel prescription glasses Christmas Abercrom

For me, Sundays make me feel blue. I’ll be honest, I usually feel blue on Sundays because I’m anticipating the entire rest of the week, not just Monday. I’m still human and I dread a good Monday just like the next person. But over the last 2 years, I have been making an active effort to enjoy every day of the week. I try to take every day for what it is, another day. Another opportunity for me to get my shit together.

So, lets get into the 5 things I do during the weekend to make my Mondays more productive.

1. Make to-do lists

I work for myself, so i’m often squeezing in whatever time I can get to do what I need to do. This usually means working over the weekend. I’ve admitted to myself that I have issues with organizing my time and being productive. But For the most part, working during the weekends works for me until I spend more time than I need to trying to complete my tasks.

I have started making to-do lists with specific time carved out to complete the tasks on my list. For example, instead of sitting at my computer for most of the day without a specific purpose, I set aside an hour and a half to two hours, either in the morning or evening to focus on my to-do list.

2. Take time for yourself

Do something for yourself that is unrelated to being productive. This is a huge one for me. During the week, I’m usually wining about how I need more time that isn’t related to work yet I keep working. How about I start shutting up and just take the time for myself?

Some days and weeks are busier than others, so finding the time to prioritize yourself is major key. This is something I’ve been struggling with a lot lately. I understand the importance of personal or play time so I usually find some time to just do whatever I want aka walking around Target and looking at literally everything in the store.

3. De-clutter your space

I wouldn’t say I hate cleaning, but I hate cleaning. I do it, but I really don’t like it. Okay, and no one said I had to like it. But what I will about cleaning is it can make you feel all sorts of happy once you get it done. For the purpose of this blog post, let’s focus on a sub-category of cleaning, tidying.

For me, starting my Mondays off with a clean and tidy house or workspace is important. The last thing I want to do is wake up and trip on crap I’ve left on the floor from the week before. Having a clean and tidy space makes me feel not only productive and ready for the week, but It’s satisfying to look around with a clear view without having to stand up to see the lamp over a mountain of my unfolded clothes.

4. Sleep in

Girl, talk to me at 10:00am. I actually have a hard time sleeping in until 10:00am but waking up at 9:30 vs. 8:30 can make all the difference. I don’t have a single problem with sleeping in, and given the opportunity, I will happily take it.

Many people struggle with getting enough sleep during the week and sleeping in isn’t a luxury we all have. So, if you can get in a nap or two over the weekend, you might want to seriously consider taking those opportunities. That productivity ship just might sail off without you on it if you aren’t well rested. I’m all sorts of moody and most times, physically sick when I don’t get enough sleep.

5. Plan your upcoming week

Planning my upcoming week is an absolute must for me. There was a time where I would go into Monday without a single plan. I didn’t have a to-do list, no plan, and not a single idea on where to start. That wasn’t the greatest time for me either because your girl was feeling the struggle.

Planning the upcoming week on Sunday nights have become top priority for me. I need to know what’s up and coming, what’s popping, what’s happening. I can’t see any of that If I don’t see it coming which is why I plan. A good starting piont for me would be adding all of my duties, tasks, and responsibilities into my calendar for the entire week. I like to start my Mondays feeling prepared and ready and my calendar has played a key part in keeping my sanity in check.