Mondays can be a struggle. Trust me, I get it.
Snooze is easier than getting up and bracing the week head on, especially if you were lucky enough to spend the weekend sleeping in and relaxing. But, Monday is inevitable, and the longer you linger in bed, the less likely you are to conquer your to-do list.
It doesn’t matter if you’re trying to get to the office in time or just need to wake, dress and get to your local coffee shop to start working. Starting on time is the key to having a seriously productive day.
I hope these tips help you get up, get moving and (most importantly) get there on time.
Prep //
Sundays are your friend, please make the most of them! If the thought of prepping seven days worth of meals already has you closing the tab this post is opened in, hear me out. That’s not my suggestion: we’re only focusing on Monday! Decide what you’re going to have for breakfast and take for lunch (if you lunch on the go or at work). Get those items ready to go, in the bag you take them in, sitting in the front of the fridge.
Your only task come Monday morning should be to grab and go. And if you commonly walk out without grabbing some essentials, jot yourself a post-it note and stick it to the front door, where you can’t miss it before heading out.
Meals aside, prepping your outfit saves tons of time come morning. And if you’re not the pick my full outfit the night before type, keep reading.
Invest //
If there are key items that help you function come morning time, make sure yours enable you to be as efficient as possible. If you’re a morning coffee drinker, opt for a coffee maker with an auto timer (ultimately blessing) so your coffee is ready. If you aren’t the outfit prepping time, invest in some classic, season friendly basics that are readily available for mixing and matching without much thought. Ahem, all black everything, anyone?
A black pencil skirt with a grey or black top and black booties has been a staple uniform for me when I don’t have time to put a ton of thought into my ensemble.
Pack //
Similarly to prepping your items Sunday night, it’s just as important to pack them to go and avoid the Monday round up rodeo. I keep my most commonly used make up items in a separate bag so that I can easily grab them to use come morning OR simply toss them in my bag to apply later.
I pack my gym bag the night before and place it by the door, so I can grab it last before I head out. I put the book I want to read on the way to work in the bag I’ll be using the next day, so I’m not searching my room for it.
Small things that save big time!
Realize //
Get real about your habits and constraints and develop your routine around them. Showering in the morning always slows me down, so I know it’s bound to make me late. I know I can handle my hair, skin and makeup in under 30 minutes.
I also know I work better with breakfast in my system, so I need to account for the time it takes me to make and eat that.
If you feel you’re doing all you can, but still aren’t getting where you need to be in a timely manner, time yourself. Time and record each task you attempt to do in the morning and how long it took you. This will help you determine what sets you back, and change up your routine and get yourself on track…and on time!
Oh, Mondays. I do my grocery shopping early Monday mornings, and it’s fabulous. I’ve found that making sure my list and coupons are ready to go is enough to make sure I’m out the door, but to avoid the frantic searching, there are a few other things to do. I leave my grocery planner on my desk, with my keys on top of it, and my purse on my desk chair. And if I have to make multiple stops instead of one, I write that on a sticky note and stick it to the front of the planner, so it’s visible with my keys. Then I can get up, get ready, come into the office, grab my stuff, and head out the door. It makes Monday morning so much nicer!
Love that you can get your grocery shopping done on Mondays! That’s probably super stress free and a great way to beat crowds at the store!
“Sundays are your friend” LOL love that. I live for Sundays! They’re probably my most productive day of the week. I’ve found, for a black woman like myself, a huge time saver in the morning, is doing my hair the night before so in the morning I can just un-scarf and go! I need to get better about packing the night before though. I always think it will take less time than it ends up taking. Great tips, Amber!
Melody // MAREVOLI
Sunday is byfar my favorite day of the week. I always feel the most refreshed and productive, even when I’m working!