3 Things You Should Be Doing On Sunday To Prepare For A Better Monday
Yes, we enjoy our jobs but the anxiety that comes along with it…not so much. Like many of you, I too work in a fast-paced environment. There is very rarely a slow moment in the office and on Sunday night I find myself worrying sick about how Monday will go. #MondayBlues are not unusual. Many people experience anxiety, worry, and sadness when anticipating the work week ahead. Not to worry though! Here's what to do on Sunday night for a better Monday morning!
So make a cup of tea, grab your favorite blanket, curl up in bed, read this post, and get ready to decompress and reenergize yourself. Monday, here you come!
1. Make a list of things you are excited about.
I discovered this ritual in a Forbes article about stress associated with work and decided to try it out. On Sunday night, I make a list of all the things I’m looking forward to during the week ahead. Whether it’s drinks with a girlfriend or hearing back about a new opportunity, I write it down. I whip my list out on Monday before work just to remind me what I have to look forward to throughout the week. It may seem silly but it’s really effective. During the day, we are consumed with work-related tasks. It’s good to have a friendly reminder that you DO have a life outside of work and that Monday won’t last forever. The list has made a HUGE difference in my outlook on Mondays. I no longer dread Monday morning because I remember that it’s just a challenge to be met and the reward for a hard days work is written down on my list.
2. Complete one Monday task.
Tackle one of your Monday tasks a day early. By clearing your desk of one thing you’ll feel less anxious about the amount of work waiting for you on Monday morning. I like to check my email on Sunday to see if there are any tasks I can knock out ahead of time. Also, try checking your email and making a list of tasks that are priority for Monday. Just getting organized a day early will help you have a better handle on your work week. The list will help you identify where most of your attention should be allocated on Monday, so you don’t succumb to the pressure of a ton of emails.
3. Journal + Read.
Unwind. I’ve found that journaling is SOOOO decompressing. On Sunday night, your head may be buzzing with ideas, solutions and even worry. You are already trying to gear up for Monday, and your thoughts can become scattered. Unplug from your laptop and your phone. Spend sometime with yourself. Journaling allows you to expel all of those ideas, thoughts and worries swimming around in your head. Writing it down and expressing it can be so relieving. Read over what you wrote, many times you’ll find that what is worrying you isn’t even a big deal. Also, reading over your thoughts could kick up a solution to some of the things your anxious about.
Also Read. Curl up in bed with some snacks and some music and read a good book. I always like to think a lesson can be found anywhere. A professor once told me: “All the answers are hidden in a book.” We just have to read to find them. Whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, find something that you enjoy reading -- magazines included!
You're all ready for Monday morning! Just wake, pray, and SLAY!
What strategies do you have for tackling #MondayBlues? Share in the comment section below or tweet us @xoNecole
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage