Start your Monday and your week off right!
9 Tips To Beat The Monday Blues
Monday morning…let’s face it, who really gets up and cheers “I love Monday!” unless Monday is your day off or you have the day to yourself with no kiddies tugging at you saying, “mom….mom…mom” (or Dad!). Right?
So, let’s talk about a few tips to help you look forward to Monday. Yes, it is possible. As much as I love the weekends, the routine of our Monday to Friday schedule does have it’s advantages.
I am a stay at home/work at home mom. In addition to having the distraction of a 3 yr old in the house and a teen after school, I am also very scattered in general. If my job was outside the home, I would be a little more focused in some areas, and maybe more determined to keep on top of things, but these tips will help EVERYONE start their week off on a happier, less moody or grumpy note.
These tips are for helping you be happier and more productive at the start of each week. This is geared around your household and family life. Being organized and productive at work is another story, maybe we can tackle that another day!
1. Make A Weekly To Do List
You need a to-do list of errands, chores, and activities for the family. If anything needs to be done on Monday, put it at the top, or highlight it. Also, make lists for each family member if you are really busy, so everyone sees what they have to help out with.
2. Meal Plan & Grocery Shopping
Taking time on the weekend to do your meal plan and pick up groceries, will cut down on running around during the workweek. Try to grocery shop alone if possible. Here are some shopping tips
Meal planning will save you both time and money, but it will also take away added stress during your week. While it may seem like too much work when you are starting out, trust me, the benefits will be worth the change in routine. It takes a little time to figure out the style of meal planning that will work for you. Once you find the right method and practice it for a couple of weeks, you will wonder why you never tried it before! Example: My weekly Meal Plan Get a Meal Plan Template Here.
Once your meals are planned, grocery shopping becomes an easy and more affordable task. Get your Printable Shopping List here.
3. Prep Breakfasts & Lunches
There are so many great recipes and ideas for prepping Breakfast ahead. I love to make up Pancakes and French Toast to have in the freezer, just pop them in the toaster for a quick breakfast. Try some of these: Breakfast Burritos // Omelet Muffins // Gluten-Free Maple Peanut Butter Banana Muffins // Pancake Mix /
For lunches, cook up a pot of rice, pasta, or quinoa on Sunday, portion into containers and add seasonings, and other ingredients. One of my go-to meals for hubby and I is Rice, Steamed Broccoli, and Roasted Chicken. Another meal we love in our house and is perfect to send to school or work is Greek Quinoa / Pasta Salad.
4. Create A Snack Cupboard or Station
This will help with packing lunches, either making it easier for you to grab or for your children to pack in their lunches. (More on Snack Stations to come. Check out this article from one of our readers.)
5. Clean Kitchen Counters & Wash Sink
Go to bed nightly with all the dishes put away and an empty sink, not just Sunday night. This may seem like a silly suggestion, but it really makes a huge difference to wake up to a clean kitchen before your busy day starts.
6. Unpack Book Bags, Lunch Bags, etc.
When you get home on Fridays, be sure to unpack backpacks to ensure you haven’t missed a special notice, invitation or other note from school. Lunch bags should also be emptied and wiped clean each week. I know I am not the only mom who has opened a lunch bag that sat by the door all weekend, only to find a nice smelly mess on Monday morning! Making a conscious effort to empty and clean the lunch bags every Friday will make Monday morning packing less surprising 🙂
7. Fill The Gas Tank!
Nothing could be more discouraging on a Monday morning than having to stop and fill the car. Almost always a last-minute thing for me. The car will be dinging at me and I know, that between traffic and where I am headed, I will have to stop.
8.Completely Finish Laundry
This tip falls in line with the clean kitchen tip. If you have your laundry done, you have one less thing to worry about. Try starting a laundry schedule. Do a load each day, or every other day (depending on the amount you do weekly).
9. Plan Outfits For Monday Morning
This tip is great for kids and adults alike: put out clothing the night before. Since your laundry is all done, this should be an easy task! Do this every night to make mornings, especially with kids, run a little smoother.
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Whether you work from home or out of the house, I hope you find these 9 Tips To Beat The Monday Blues make Monday’s a little easier for you and your family.