Monday, 5/1/23: Talking about the first day of May
Happy Monday!
It’s a new week, which means it’s time for your next Monday motivation newsletter.
Read on below for some steps to a happier Monday, a short story and a roundup of positive thoughts to get your week started.
Three Steps to a Happier Monday
Each newsletter starts with three prompts to inspire gratitude and simple intention setting. Take a moment and jot down answers to these three questions. To give an example, I share my answers below.
Step 1: What are three things I appreciated from the weekend?
Step 2: What is one thing I can be excited about today?
Step 3: What is my intention for this week?
GRATITUDE: I’m thankful for time with Matt, time to rest and a slower pace.
TODAY: I’m most excited to be home in Orlando!! Can’t wait to see my parents this morning.
INTENTION: My intention this week is to soak up time at home.
Okay, your turn! And if you want to share your three steps, I am all ears. 🙂
Meaningful Musings: May Intentions
The first of a month ON a Monday?! That’s when you know it’s going to be a good month. 🙂
May has big “on the precipice of something” energy. The weather starts to transition into a new season, the school year comes to an end, graduates excitedly move tassels from right to left.
I’m really looking forward to this month. While April didn’t turn out to be as “open” as I was anticipating, there is so much happening May that I’m not pressuring myself to do too much “extra.” Enjoying some of the special moments coming up and maintaining my regular habits will feel heroic enough.
If you’re looking for a boost this Monday, try leaning into the fresh start feeling of a new week AND a new month. What do you have coming up this May? What are you excited about?
What’s happening this May?
- I’m going to be home in Florida for a full week (this week!). I haven’t been home since January. So excited to soak up the time at home.
- My youngest brother Ryan graduates from Florida State University this Friday (hence the trip home). I’m so proud of him and it feels like a milestone/start of a new chapter for my family. I can’t wait to celebrate him!
- I’m headed to Columbus one weekend to celebrate my cousin Ethan who is graduating from high school. Can’t wait to see the Bell’s!
- Matt’s brother gets MARRIED the last weekend in May. It is going to be such a special weekend and I’m really looking forward to it.
May 2023 Intentions
- Lean into the special events in May and focus on being present. When I write it all out, I can see how much is planned for May (I’ll only be in Chicago one weekend!). However, I can’t really explain why, but it doesn’t feel overwhelming. I’m so excited for all these events and am really craving this connection time with family and friends. Want to keep that mindset and focus on being present during these big events!
- No shop May. I always have success with this in January, so I want to run it back this month. Not only is impulse shopping a go-to stress relief (and one I could see myself falling back on this month), but there are also some things I’m saving for, and limiting shopping is the easiest way for me to feel more in control/more on top of my spending.
- Go on walks after work. Since I’ll be out of town most weekends in May, looking to make my weekday evenings feel restful and restorative. So excited it’s staying light later and with the weather *hopefully* turning, after-work walks feel like the perfect addition for May.
Happy May!
On My Monday Radar
Sometimes we just aren’t ready to jump into our Monday to-do list right away. In case you want some content to procrastinate with, here is a roundup of a few positive things on my radar:
- Started The Diplomat on Netflix this weekend and think it is SO good. I love political dramas, so this is right up my alley.
- The role kindness plays in happiness. Loved this article.
- I came across the blog Pretty in the Pineslast week and I’m just astonished with what she is able to do in her small NYC apartment.Watch this! And this!
- This “Shelf Life” series is a fun one if you are looking for book recs. Adding many to my TBR wishlist!
Picture of the Week
That’s all for today! I hope you found something in today’s newsletter that sparked motivation, made you smile or inspired a positive Monday thought. Don’t underestimate the power of starting small… a fulfilling week starts with just one fulfilling day. You’ve got this!
Let’s make it a great Monday!
Megan