Monday, 1/8/24: Talking about favorite purchases of 2023

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 and some 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 my parents, safe travels home to Chicago and time to get organized yesterday.

TODAY: I’m most excited to do my Monday morning ritual of reading and journaling before work!

INTENTION: My intention this week is to settle into my routine.  

Okay, your turn! And if you want to share your three steps, I am all ears. 🙂

On My Monday Radar

New year, new newsletter format! For the past 4.5 years (!), I’ve followed a pattern of featuring an essay about a wide-ranging number of topics (Monthly goals! Big topics! Small topics!), followed by a roundup of fun links to get your Monday morning started on a positive note. I love writing both, but often wish I had more time to dedicate to each one.

So, starting this year, I’m switching things up and featuring an essay one week and a roundup of links the next. Last week I featured an essay (did you notice? ) and this week is the roundup of links. Despite this, the rest of the newsletter (sending it every Monday at 6 AM EST, Three Things to a Happier Monday and Picture of the Week) will stay the same! Hope you enjoy!

Since it’s still 2023 reflection season, I thought I’d start with a couple “2023 favorites” in terms of things purchased this year:

• Favorite thing I bought under $20?: This Tangle Teezer hairbrush. Never thought much about my hairbrush before until I stated using this one. I LOVE it and can’t be without it!
• Favorite new addition to my closet?: I’ve always loved ballet flats, so I’m thrilled they are back in “style.” I’ve collected quite an array of the Mary Jane style flats, my favorites being these Rothy ones and these Madewell ones. 
• Favorite unexpected thing bought? Okay, I have two things for this one:
  • Remi nightguard. Getting a nightguard had been on my to-do list a while now (anyone else a nighttime teeth grinder?), but I really wanted to find a way to do it without paying $$$ at the dentist. Enter: Remi! The process was easy and affordable, and I now have a nightguard I wear every night! Love it!
  • Havenly. When Matt and I moved into our apartment in the summer, the thought of decorating felt very overwhelming to me. I came across Havenly – an online interior design service – and it was a god-send! You pay by room, and I chose to do two (our living room/office & dining room). It was so helpful to get design ideas and do a mix of purchasing items directly from Havenly and taking the inspo and looking at other sources!
• Favorite subscription service? Nuuly, a clothing rental service with SO many brands (Anthropologie!) and sizes. My go-to for work clothes and frivolous things I want to wear but don’t want to buy (like FUN seasonal coats). If you’re interested, you can get $20 off with this link 🙂 
• Favorite book? Tom Lake by Ann Patchett.

What are some of your favorites from 2023?

Here are some other things I’ve been loving: 

• Lululemon Define Jacket. For Christmas, I got this jacket, and I haven’t stopped wearing it! I got the Meadowsweet Pink shade, which is the perfect shade of light pink. (It is sold out right now but comes back!) I went up a size and like that it’s a more relaxed fit.
• 24 in 2024 Lists Revealed (Podcast Episode). I liked listening to get ideas for mine, which I’m making this weekend!
• Sugar Paper Planner. Speaking of planning 2024… I LOVE my monthly planner for this year! (Thanks to my brother who got it for me for Christmas ) It’s really pretty with a great layout if you are looking for one!
• Cold Weather Self Care (Blog Post). One of my January goals is to invest in my winter body care routine, so I plan to read this blog post for some recs. Embracing the cold weather instead of fighting it 
• The Crown: Season 6 (TV Show). When I was home, my mom and I watched the final season of The Crown together, which is one of my favorite shows. I thought it was really well done!

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