Monday, 6/17/24: Talking about what’s on my radar this morning

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 brothers and dad, new experiences and easy travel yesterday.

TODAY: Today, I’m most excited to see Matt when he gets back in town! 

INTENTION: My intention this week is to get outside every day.

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

On My Monday Radar

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 and this week is the roundup of links. Despite this change, 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!

• Do Less. It’s Good for You. A great read for summertime mentality :). 
• Last week, I wrote about wanting to make a “summer reading list.” I feel myself gravitating even more toward reading – especially light and fun books – during this time of year. I love the idea of a reading list to limit decisions around the ‘what to read next?’ question. Instead, I just consult my list and go! Below are the books on my radar, but I’d love to add a few more, so please tell me: what are you reading this summer?!
  • Funny Story by Emily Henry: Almost finished with this book and like all other Emily Henry books – loving it! Love how she writes dialogue and how books are always somehow central to the plot. 
  • One-Star Romance by Laura Hankin
  • Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand: I am SO sad this is Elin’s last book before retirement!! Reading the new Elin Hilderbrand book is a marker of summer for me. Saving this one to read over the 4th of July holiday. 
  • Summer of ’69 by Elin Hilderbrand: Thinking about reading this one with Matt! 
  • Summer Pact by Emily Giffin (out July 9) 
  • Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros: I read Fourth Wing earlier this year and really liked it. I even have this book already on my shelf because a sweet friend sent to me! Need to get myself back into the fantasy headspace and pick it up.  
  • Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano 
  • A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey (out June 25)
• Now for some shopping updates… I recently got this baseball hat and I’m loving it! Perfect for keeping your face shaded on walks outside. So many cute colors too!
• …  And I’m LOVING these poplin pajamas for the summer. So chic and breezy! I got in black and just ordered in white too. 
• Lastly, I love this framing: 6 luxuries in life. Thankful for a slow morning this morning! 

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