Sunday = reaching for the gin
We’ve all seen those posts, those “I used to hate Monday’s but now everyday’s my day to do what I want” or “I love the feeling of no alarm clock in the morning” or the classic “when everyone else is hating Monday…”. How do they have you feeling?
Inspired? Motivated? Pleased (for them)?
ORDid you do a little eye roll, scrolled on and thought ‘smug *(&^%$’ as you poured a large gin?
Maybe you did a ‘little high five sister’ or a ‘go you’ pom pom shake or maybe you defaulted to the second ‘WTF, jog on’ thought. Maybe as you frantically tidy the house whilst negotiating with your little angels that despite the light nights it really is bed time soon all whilst thinking did I really book at 6am PT session tomorrow?!, the last post you need to see is yet another picture perfect
‘I don’t do Mondays’ post.
See it’s ok to get caught up in your own world, it’s ok to be thinking where the *&^% did the weekend go, it’s ok to not want to be reminded of the alarm clock (school, work, or in my case the 6am PT sess - who does that seriously?!). I mean for &^%$s sake - it maybe Sunday night but it’s still light outside so I could to do my best impression of my child and refuse to accept that Monday and the alarm clock will soon be making an appearance. Couldn’t I?
But this blog isn’t about wallowing with you, it’s about empathising, saying that I too am sat with you on the Sunday night bus that’s heading straight for Monday town but come on, we don’t wallow do we? We turn this shizz on its head!
Monday is coming whether you like it or not, so you can grump about that thing that that so called influencer has posted (newsflash - I bet her life ain’t all that!), but let’s be honest; the post will still be there and in grumping about it you will have achieved absolutely jack, nada, nothing other than bring your energy into a slump.
Your alternative; get off social media, stop watching other women live life on their terms and get focused like a missile on what you want and how you can achieve this. Hold up, obviously don’t get off social media until after you’ve read this post!!
So first things first - go pour yourself a G&T, prosecco, wine, make a brew, whatever tipple, grab your notebook and pen, your tablet or whatever you use, because we’re about to do some seriously cool stuff that'll take no more than 20 minutes and will have you moving forward, achieving, staying in your lane, without stepping on anyone else and in less time than ever before.
Have you got your tipple? Got your notepad or mac book? No? Go now, I’ll still be here when you get back!
You’re back, great! Before we start it’s important you follow these rules (for your own good):
You must be alone - no distractions so if you need to escape to the bathroom, do it.
Use the timings as max - I don’t want you overthinking or getting caught in restrictive self talk.
Don’t overthink - Write down what comes into your head, words, sentences, bullet points, doodles.
Be realistic - Commit to what you can as a minimum.
The how is not important - At this stage.
Don’t think should - You decide your should.
The questions are about you - not your family, kids, friends, colleagues - it’s ok (actually right) to be selfish.
Refer back to 1-7 if you get lost, go off on a tangent or reach for your phone.
So now we’ve got the rules (I’m strict for your own good) and our gin (or tipple), let’s get started. For each of the 3 questions below you have 5 minutes max to write down what comes into your mind. Before you start the next question, reread the rules and clear your mind to start again. Use the timer on your phone so you don’t go over the five minutes but don’t worry if it takes less - sometimes you’ll get a flash of inspiration, other times not, it doesn't matter, just give yourself space and do it in full - you deserve 20 minutes for you after all.
Let’s go:
What does living life on your terms look like to you?
What would you be doing, earning, who would you be with?
What would your ideal day look like?
What’s holding you back?
Time, others opinions, yourself, …. ?
What could you do to prioritise making the life you desire (1.) happen?
Less time unsocial media, delegate house stuff to other family members?,
Say no more?
Spend the last five minutes reading over your scribbles and notes. Again some may make no sense, some may have more content, some may have less detail - it doesn't matter. It doesn’t matter if you’re reading it and you’re thinking ‘WTF’ or ‘How the hell am I going to ….’ or ‘Could I do that?’.
Repeat after me - at this stage IT DOESN’T MATTER - What does matter is that you take a big gulp of your gin (in my case) and high five yourself!
You gorgeous lady have just taken a massive step to prioritising you. A massive step towards living the life you deserve. So what that you have an idea, a picture but no how … it doesn’t matter. I want you to take a moment to see that you have done something amazing, you’ve actually taken focused action and the how, well lovely, keep an eye out for a cheeky giveaway that will have you making that ideal day a step closer to being reality
But before you delete, rip up or get rid of these, I urge you to keep them - put todays date on them ( I like to sign them too). They are great chapter points and when you do have those ‘eye roll, another no Monday for me inspo’ post you can read it and get back to focusing on your own (productive) journey.
So let’s recap:
We’ve had a gin on a school night (cheeky, but deserved)
We’ve got the overall recipe of our ideal day cake.
We know what’s holding us back.
We’ve started to win time back.
Not bad for 20 minutes of focus eh? Imagine what else you could achieve when we start to add the filling, the icing and the decorations (aka the ‘How’) to the cake! Pretty ^&%$ing epic and why not celebrate with another cheeky gin!
Gorgeous, this isn’t about feast or famine, or spray and pray it’s about focused action that works for you so not, go put your feet up and chill … I’m so proud of you …
Much love and please share with anyone who needs to hear this.
LJ x
PS - I apologise for once being that person posting a cheese ‘No Monday for me” BS post.