Megan's Monday Motivation
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Monday, 10/17/22: Talking about giving things times and gift recommendations from my mom

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 college friends this weekend, showing Matt around the UF campus and time with my parents. 

TODAY: I’m off work for one more day today as I travel back to Chicago, and I’m looking forward to getting unpacked, settled and organized for the week ahead.

INTENTION: My intention this week is to write down three things that are going well at the end of each day. 

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

Meaningful Musings: Give It Time

This week I came across this post on Instagram that felt too good not to share here. 

The post, from author Shauna Niequist, reads simply Give it SIX WEEKS.

And in case you are not on Instagram, her caption reads as follows: 

“And by ‘it’ I mean nearly everything.

I think I post about this every single fall, and this time around I’m 100% posting it because it’s the reminder *I* need right now.

My cousin is a kindergarten teacher, and every single year, she reminds us that it takes at least six weeks for every student, every parent, and every teacher to really get into the swing of the new schedule & routine.

And I’m holding so hard to that these days—our kids started school five weeks ago today, and also there have been days off for holidays every week, plus both kids were out with covid, one after the other, and they’ve both had birthdays in the last month. Aaron’s new job, new schedules all around, work travel for both of us, friends and family in town, etc etc.

Mostly very good things mixed in with a handful of challenges, & what I’m saying is that I’ve had a really hard time finding a new rhythm this last five weeks, and if you’re struggling, too, let’s write my wise and wonderful cousin’s words on our mirrors, on our hands, on our foreheads.

Let’s give it a little more time. Give yourself oceans of grace, and give it time.

Whether it’s the new school year or a new job, or maybe you’re newly single or starting a new health focus or getting sober. Maybe you went back to school for the first time in twenty years or maybe you’ve got a newborn or you’re new in town.

Whatever change is working its way through the systems of your life, change is hard—even good change–and finding your footing in any new landscape is hard, and doing something new always takes more energy than we think.

And here’s a big thing: putting pressure on yourself to do it better/faster/more seamlessly actually doesn’t help—it only adds a heavier weight to carry, and if you’re already struggling under the weight of it all, that pressure can send you flat onto the ground.

Time, grace, self-compassion.

Patience, asking for help, releasing the pressure.

Six weeks—at least.”

(CC: Shauna Niequist) 

YES. Why is this so hard to remember in the midst of a transition or time of change? 

Whether it’s starting a new project at work, adjusting to a new schedule or navigating one of the other myriads of change life can throw at us, it’s helpful to remind ourselves that it takes time to adjust and find our flow. I know it’s a reminder I need. 

Sometimes just acknowledging that change is hard and  that you need time to acclimate and adjust lessens the burden and can feel validating. But just as important to point out to yourself, while that state of rhythm and flow might not be realistic, joy is available right now. 

So as you give yourself more time, don’t forget to also give yourself moments of joy. Whether that be taking a moment to do something enjoyable (doesn’t have to be big!) for yourself every day, writing down the good that is still happening in the midst of the change, or planning something you can look forward to six weeks from now, those micro-moments of joy add up. 

Maybe what we all need this Monday before jumping into forward-looking tasks and thoughts is to take a moment and check in with ourselves. What will be our moment of joy today? Even in the midst of any changes or transitions or challenges, how are we taking care of ourselves for the week ahead?

As always, cheering you on this Monday for a great week – you’ve got this!

On My Monday Radar

Mixing up this section today! I was in Florida last weekend and got to spend some time with my mom, who always has the best recommendations. In case you need some gifts ideas (holiday season is fast approaching!) check these suggestions out: 

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

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