Monday, 6/27/22: Talking about what exists right here, right now and summer things
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 a really fun time at a concert Friday, my long run on Sunday, and time to relax.
TODAY: Today, I’m most excited to pop over to the J. Crew Factory store after work and see if there’s anything I want to pick up before heading out of town this weekend. Got a coupon in the mail this weekend!
INTENTION: My intention this week is to do a little bit of creative writing most mornings before work.
Okay, your turn! And if you want to share your three steps, I am all ears. 🙂
Meaningful Musings: The Things I Love Exist Here
Back in March, I read the book Our American Friend by Anna Pitoniak. It’s a great read. If political thrillers are your thing, I definitely recommend it.
In the book, there is an exchange between two characters that is not central to the plot, but nevertheless, resonated with me quite a bit.
At one point in the book, the protagonist (Sofie) is talking to her former boss (Vicky). Sofie is lamenting about being unsure of her life’s path or meaning (something we all can relate to). She wonders aloud to Vicky how Vicky stays so content even though she’s been through many trials and tribulations. Does she ever reflect on her past and have regrets?
Vicky answers simply (yet profoundly, in my opinion): “The things I love exist here. Right here and right now. Nowhere else.”
Later, toward the end of the book (and promise this doesn’t give anything away), Sofie recounts the advice once again. During a high-tense scene, she thinks to herself:
“But even with the black car, even with the pulse quickening in my throat, I found myself recalling, with a sudden strange calmness, what Vicky had said, so many years ago. The things I love exist here.
I felt, for the first time, that I might understand those words. Even though the fear remains: look at what exists right here. Right here, right now. The warmth of the sunshine, the breeze from the sparkling sea. And more than anything, the feeling of Ben’s hand in mine.”
I didn’t need the advice at the time I was reading the book, but I had a feeling one day I would want to be reminded of it. So, I snapped a picture of the page and added the quote to an ongoing document I have of thoughts and ideas that pique my interest.
As I looked through that document on Friday, deciding what to focus on for today’s newsletter, the quote caught my eye for the first time in a while.
The things I love exist here.
It was exactly what I needed to be reminded of.
With our constant, immediate, all-encompassing access to news and social media, I find the mindset shift – or the “shapeshift” – that’s required of us to be really difficult. I was presenting on a call with a client Friday when I saw a notification pop up on my phone that Roe v. Wade had been overturned. I went through with the rest of the call and then went right to my messages, where a couple of my group chats were filled with a rapid succession of angry, fearful, dreadful texts from friends. I clicked over to social media (I know, I know) where I took in a surge of emotional reactions and updates. And then I had to put my phone down… because my next call was starting. The oscillating between trying to make sense of what was happening and carrying on with normal world activities was confusing and disorientating.
So when I saw that quote – The things I love exist here – I was comforted. On Friday and throughout the weekend, I’ve reminded myself of it again and again.
The concert I went to Friday night. The book I’m reading right now. Finishing The Summer I Turned Pretty on Saturday morning. A 2-hour nap while it was raining outside. Long walks and talks with Matt that end with ice cream. Making a packing list for next weekend. The sky being light until 9 p.m. Summer! Everything, everything about summer.
It doesn’t mean forgetting what’s happening or pretending like everything is fine (because that is far from the truth). Like the character thinks in the book, “Even though the fear remains: look at what exists right here. Right here, right now.” But the mental exercise helps me remember the good that is still around.
And after doing so, I feel charged up in a way, with more mental space to take in information (like the points made in this article), to take small steps of action, to send out love and support, to continue keeping on.
The things I love exist here.
So, what exists for you right here, right now this morning?
Sending you a hug today if you need it.
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:
- Last Tuesday was the summer solstice – the longest day of the year – and I loved this Instagram post about how it’s a reminder of abundance. I’ve been thinking about it since last week and consciously trying to find moments of abundance in my day-to-days instead of automatically focusing on scarcity.
- Yes, please to the idea of low-key summer checklists! This post reminded me of my summer fun list. I love the idea of making a fun list, bucket list or checklist of things you want to do this season that make summer feel like summer. And I’m all about the low-key vibe! Great suggestions in this post and in the comments.
- Something that definitely got me in summer mode? Watching the Amazon Prime series The Summer I Turned Pretty. I am not embarrassed to admit how much I loved this show. The beachy scenes, the music, the high school angst and love triangle, the focus on female friendships – I was into it ALL. If you need something summery and fun to watch, highly recommend this 7-episode series.
- Loved the musings on Chicago in this blog post. I cannot believe that next Monday marks six – six!! – years of me living in this city. The milestone makes me a little emotional!
- 9 phrases to repeat yourself today. Technically this post is titled 9 phrases to repeat to yourself at the end of the week, but I think the phrases are equally applicable to the beginning of the week/end of the weekend. Sharing in case you needed one of these reminders today.
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