I’ve actually been looking forward to this particular Monday because there is so much I want to achieve this week, especially when it comes to my career.
Recently, I’ve been doing a lot of research and, more importantly, trying to put that research into practice. It has been interesting, exciting and challenging.
One thing I’ve had to learn about myself is when I work best.
I wake up around 5 a.m., pray, and then I have this beautiful window in the morning where my brain just seems to work differently. I can think. I can look at a problem with fresh eyes. I can tackle the difficult things before the noise of the day begins.
So I had plans for this morning.
Big plans.
Except life had other ideas.
One of my boys had an asthma attack during the night. Both of them are asthmatic, so this is something we’ve dealt with before and something I’m always conscious of, particularly when it comes to their triggers.
He came to wake me during the night, and I’m incredibly thankful to God that he did because I was exhausted and sleeping deeply.
We were awake for hours while he settled, which meant that when my 5 a.m. alarm went off this morning, I didn’t even hear it.
There went my perfectly planned Monday morning.
But here is something I’ve learnt over the years:
A bad night does not have to become a bad Monday. And a difficult Monday does not have to become a difficult week.
I could wake up and make today entirely about what happened last night.
I could tell myself, Well, today is ruined.
Then today becomes Tuesday.
Tuesday becomes Wednesday.
And suddenly I’ve allowed one unexpected night to write the story of my entire week.
No.
I still have plans for this week, and I still intend to achieve them.
The only thing I’m changing is how I start.
Normally, Monday morning would be when I attack the most difficult problem on my list. Today, I’m not doing that.
Today, I’m choosing something simple.
Something achievable.
Something I can finish.
Something that won’t frustrate an already tired brain.
Tomorrow, I can tackle the difficult things.
Today, I’m respecting my body.
And I think sometimes we confuse slowing down with giving up.
They are not the same thing.
You can adjust the plan without abandoning the goal.
You can rest without quitting.
You can have an imperfect morning and still have a beautiful day.
So if you’re starting this Monday exhausted, or you’ve had a difficult weekend, or perhaps last week didn’t go the way you wanted it to, please don’t decide what this week will become based on what has already happened.
Start somewhere.
Start small.
Pick one task you know you can finish.
Do something that gives you that little feeling of, Okay, I did that.
And then build from there.
I’m still starting this Monday with joy.
I’m still starting it with peace.
And most importantly, I’m starting it with gratitude.
I’m grateful my son came to wake me.
I’m grateful we had his medication.
I’m grateful he eventually settled.
I’m grateful for another Monday and another opportunity to try again.
And sometime this week, I’m going to reward myself too. I’m going to take myself somewhere lovely for lunch, away from the house, enjoy my food and celebrate the work I managed to get done.
Maybe I’ll share where I end up with you guys.
So this is your Monday reminder:
Don’t let one bad night, one bad day, one mistake or even one bad week convince you that the next one has to look the same.
Change the pace if you need to.
Change the plan if you need to.
Rest if you need to.
But start.
A slow start is still a start.
Happy Monday ❤️
With Love,
A
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