Monday's Gift

June 06, 2011

Today is an ordinary Monday, and I couldn’t be happier.

Monday is one of my favorite days. After the weekend, I’m usually refreshed and ready to tackle a new week. On Mondays, I walk with a neighborhood friend for exercise. Our subdivision’s four-mile paved trail takes us just under an hour to walk, and we usually spend that time talking so it seems quicker. I love getting in a good walk on Monday morning—I feel like I’m starting my day and my week off right.

Walkable
On Monday, I usually spend time reading emails and blogs, getting back in touch with my virtual friends and acquaintances. If I haven’t already done so (and despite my best intentions, I probably have not), I plan my own blog posts for the week, writing, researching and choosing photos.

Usually, Monday offers me time to read a book on writing or an issue of Poets & Writers, which contains so much good stuff that I’m usually behind by several issues. I also like to read books and articles that might help me with blog posts, or with my own still-in-the-infant-stage book. If I have freelance assignments, I devote a block of time to working on them.

On Monday, I take a few minutes to tidy up our family room. I change our sheets, and today I also replaced our comforter with a cooler, matelasse coverlet. I water plants, pause to pet Scout, work on the accumulated mountain of laundry, and so on.

Huggable
Monday is a puttery day—full of pleasant tasks that make me feel I’m contributing to a smooth and happy home life, while still exercising my body, my mind and my creativity. It’s probably the most balanced day of my week. I don’t schedule appointments if I can help it, and I love the swath of time before me, mine for the filling. Monday helps me remember I have choices. I can choose with what attitude I view my work and activities; I can organize that work to follow my natural energy patterns. It reminds me that work can be as enjoyable as play.

Monday shows me that I can control what I do with my time. I can relax into it, flow from job to job, and things go smoothly. I can, for at least one day, quiet the voices in my head that tell me I’m not doing enough. Maybe soon Monday’s gift will spill over into other days of the week.

What’s your favorite day of the week, and why? What does your “perfect” day look like?

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10 comments

  1. I like your Mondays better than mine....

    My favorite day of the week? Varies, I think. I would say it's more based on activities or lack thereof.

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  2. Your Mondays sound like MY favorite day...I love puttery days! What a delightful gift!

    My favorite day seems to be the ubiquitous favorite - Friday! I think it's because clients don't expect as much, and I also tap into that universal "aaaaaaaah..."

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  3. Laure--Definitely what I've got on the schedule makes a difference. I kind of reward myself on Monday by not scheduling a lot because our weekends are sometimes hectic and I'm ready for a break!

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  4. Elizabeth-My Fridays are sometimes like Mondays, but often they are quite busy because everything I didn't get done earlier in the week drifts into Friday! I try not to do that, but sometimes I can't help it.

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  5. I don't have a favorite day of the week but any day that flows like you describe would be my favorite of the week.

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  6. Timaree--That's the key--a feeling of flow. It makes any day more enjoyable.

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  7. I love your blog...I have been reading it for a few months...I love your writing and your Mondays.

    sue

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  8. Sue--Thanks so much for reading! I'm glad you're enjoying the blog.

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  9. I love Mondays too... because weekends are hectic around here... company all too often (!) and late nights out with the band, so Monday is my time to breathe deeply and slowly and r-e-l-a-x!

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  10. Teresa--Our weekends are hectic, too, sometimes, and when I can send my son off to school during the school year, Monday is a welcome break. Not quite so relaxing in summer, however!

    Are you in a band, or is a family member/friend?

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