to think slacker Mondays are the answer

[OnThePrittStick]

I've been experimenting with ways to get more done in the week. After some trial and error carefully controlled experiments, I've hit upon something revolutionary i think

ready for it....?

do as little as possible on monday. For years I've tried to get the week off to a good start by ploughing through my to do list as soon as alarm goes off at 6.30am Monday morning. Then I'm completely shattered by Tuesday and have totally lost interest. I suffer from a form of OCD/depression and Tuesdays were always my bleakest days for this reason. I was burnt out and then felt demoralised as I couldn't keep up the manic pace i'd set.

so i put 2 things on my to do list aside from work (today: take dd to ballet, email a friend) get them done. Get up as late as possible, 7.45am. Work at a moderate pace. Have a takeaway/ready meal instead of cooking. Drive my daughter to school and back (instead of walking the 50min round trip twice day like i do the other days). Don't set any goals. Never do housework on a Monday. And don't feel guilty, as it's tactical . Swear to God, it is a LIFE CHANGER. I get so much more done in the long term and my energy levels stay far more constant all week long.

Appreciate I may be stating the obvious here but i thought i would share.

[HaydeeofMonteCristo]

I think you are right to do what suits you. Other people may find they benefit mentally from getting everything done.

Personally, I am always exhausted from the weekend on Mondays (WOHM) so if I can have a slightly easier day on Monday it works well.

[BeanGirls]

My first time posting, long time lurker I just had to comment.

I suffer from panic attacks and I get stressed out about 'getting jobs done' I make lists and plan everything for the week in my head. Mondays were awful for me I felt so depressed with the weight of everything. Also I'm after losing weight and I'm trying to lose more/be healthy in general and Monday always felt like a drain to get that off to a good start for the week. I decided to take action a couple of months ago.

I now do as least as possible on a Monday ( just try and get through the day) and Monday is our new take out night, something to look forward to. If not take away a pizza or something that's quick and easy with no fuss. I eat chocolate and biscuits if I want and I feel no pressure.

Then I crack on with getting things done on a Tuesday when the week feels and is shorter. Works for me too ?

[TillITookAnArrowToTheKnee]

YADNBU.

Weekends are full on here, dashing from one thing to another, getting everything sorted for the week ahead.

Mondays are my chill day. Spend the day in joggers/tshirt. Slow cooker meal or freezer food. Watch a few episodes of a show (Hannibal s1 today) or a movie. Afternoon bath/shower.

[SlatternLikesToRest]

Interesting post.

In my head I have this image of my life running more smoothly if I could just get on top of everything by Sunday evening. The theory being that the rest of the week would run downhill from there.

The reality is that I go to bed on Sunday night the house looks like a bomb has hit it, the kids have uniform for the next day but not the rest of the week, no meal planning done, unwashed dishes still on work top, school bags not ready, lunches not made, work clothes not ready, etc.

I always seem to start Mondays behind myself and feel set back the whole of the week.

[WhyDontYouProveIt]

I've spent the whole morning parked on my arse MNing. Your plan is working very well for me

[NickAngel]

You've made me feel less guilty. I've run an errand and done school run etc but I'm now doing nothing. It feels very odd and slack.
YADNBU

[NinaSimoneful]

I like the sound of that! You have my vote.

[OnThePrittStick]

BeanGirls glad to see it's working for someone else with anxiety issues too. I used to wonder why Tuesdays were always so terrible and for a long time convinced myself that doing MORE on Mondays (so I could fall apart on Tuesdays without getting massively behind) was the answer. It isn't!

[sproketmx]

I always have slacker Mondays. I work on a Sunday so Monday means my weekend has begun!!!

[yomellamoHelly]

My best Mondays are where I go quietly round the house returning things to where they belong and generally clearing the decks without doing any cleaning / obvious chores. Makes the rest of the week run much smoother.

[IDismyname]

Mondays are my catch up days; the weekends are pretty frenetic, so its a chance to go to the gym, put stuff back around the house, think about meal planning for the week, and maybe so something towards a meal or two.

I do like the idea of an afternoon bath!!

[MamaMary]

I completely agree, OP.

On Mondays I work quietly from home but not having to do the hellish commute and interact all day with colleagues and students makes it a much less stressful day. It also means I can take it a bit easier when I need to (if the weekend's been particularly busy/ tiring).

It allows me to recover from the weekend, shortens the week and preserves my energy (and I don't have a lot of energy at the best of times).

So your theory definitely applies to me.

[kansasmum]

I am having a slacker Monday due to small flood in kitchen this am- the main stopcock is leaking so we've had to turn off water to our house in the street. This means I can't clean the bathrooms, do the laundry, mop the floors or any of my other normal Monday jobs!
I have done the ironing whilst watching old episodes of Criminal Minds! On the downside I should filled up some pans etc and the kettle before turning water off!
Plumber here now so slacker Monday might be over soon!

[Glasspumpkin]

Yup having a slacker Monday too.

After taking the DC to school and dropping off a parcel at the post office this morning I was straight home and changed into my new lounge wear, so I don't feel like a total slob in my usual old baggy pjs and ancient hoodie when I'm at home alone.

[Snoozebox]

Tuesday is meant to be the most depressing day of the week for exactly this reason.

[chrome100]

I am the opposite. I have slacker Fridays. I do all my exercising, socialising and hardest work Monday-Weds, then a bit less on Thurs and Fri I tend to do the bare minimum at work and get an early night. it works for me.

[nelliestar]

Brilliant idea! I work 3 days a week and just started to have Mondays off. I find if I don't do loads of housework, cooking etc I feel massively guilty. I have a lot of anxiety and feel overwhelmed a lot of the time. Now I just do 2 or 3 things then do something I enjoy or just have a rest.
My husband doesn't expect anything and is always telling me to relax, its totally me putting pressure on myself!
Hope you have enjoyed your Monday OP

[SoOverItNow]

Totally agree with you OP.
I have busy weekends with family activities etc. and work 3 days a week and two evenings.

Monday is my day to focus on me.
I do a yoga class, bit of shopping, then leisurely lunch, afternoon bath before I pick kids up. Easy tea and an early night.

Sets me up for the rest of the week. Love Mondays

[howabout]

YANBU
Monday is my day off too. Everyone needs downtime and as I don't have the structure of WOH I never relax if I don't plan it in.

[TheGonnagle]

I am taking a slightly different but still new to me approach. I am having crazy Monday (11 hour working day, just drinking a cup of tea and a quick mn before I crack on till 7.30 tonight) but following it with Tuesday morning off, starting at 11.45. It's only the 4th week of term but it's working so far, and I promised myself that if it's crap I'll change it round at Christmas. Teamed with Friday off work, it could either be the answer to everything or utterly shite, I will know by November!

[pdxs]

I do slacker monday too... make monday dinner on sunday night, then have a chill day at work as far as i can (block out diary til noon for a start)...good enough & embrace the week properly on Tues!

Weekends ARE full on & i consider it pacing myself for week ahead :)

[HeartsTrumpDiamonds]

I find myself doing slacker Mondays even though I WOH full time

[Casimir]

Absolutely spot on. All the nonsense spouted about do the hard thing first and such is utter utter lies and does not work for me. I Find easing in to the day, every day, works best for me, hugely productive this way. Experts are idiots.

[AskingForAPal]

I agree. Mondays are hard enough without trying to run around like a blue arsed fly. I like to wear comfier clothes to work, watch some favourite telly in the evening and cook something delicious but comforting (soup or risotto or some kind of potato thing).

Good for you! I hope it keeps helping.

[IDontWannaBrag]

Totally agree. Its a psychological trick that works brilliantly for me, too.

I have gone so far as to get a job where I dont work on Mondays .
My to-do-list today was 'Go to a meeting at DS's school, get my nails done, make something delicious for dinner'. I try to watch a good film or box set and then get an early night on Mondays, too.

I'm more and more productive as the week goes on, too, I think. I seem to get LOADS done on Thursdays and Friday mornings .