It’s Sunday evening, you put the kids to bed, throw on some sweats (I’ve been in mine all day) pour a glass of wine and start to compile the mental to-do list for the week ahead. Staying on top of everyones schedules is a job in itself and add that to a full-time work schedule and the week is full and your feeling the grind before it has even started. Cue that second glass of wine and you’re inevitably going to be starting this hectic week with a hangover that will most likely be minor but still enough to make you extra grouchy on Monday morning. This has been my ritual for the last 12 years of my life. The good news is as I am working towards becoming my best self, I have found some practices to curb the “Sunday scaries” that include creating a more positive mindset as I approach the week ahead.
1. Make Time for a Fun Activity Mid-Week
We have to stop living for the weekends. We grind all week to enjoy 2 days off and the reality is, we are just wishing away our weekdays for the weekends. The weekends become a jam packed 2 days worth of errands, dinners, visits from family and friends, birthday parties etc…and before we know it, it’s over and we’re back on the hamster wheel again. Whether you have kids or not the weekdays are busy however making time for something special during the week can be a game changer. Plan a movie or game night, meet a gal pal for coffee before work or plan an early dinner date with your spouse or better yet, one of your kiddos (they will love this!). This will give you something to look forward to and offers a break in the routine. Imagine looking forward to a Tuesday or Wednesday!
2. Get into a Self-Care Routine
Exercise has become my go to stress for relief during the week. Aside from the obvious benefits of exercise, it also gives me a feeling of confidence and a much needed “me break”, it is the hour in the day that is all mine. I am not a runner but I am trying my best to be! I also enjoy kick boxing. My punching bag and gloves are one of the best gifts my husband ever got me, and I highly recommend it! There are tons of free kick boxing videos out there and honestly I just feel fierce as hell when I am done. Whatever routine you choose should be something that makes you feel calm, centered and confident. I feel like we spend most of our week so focused on work, kids, and keeping up with household items that it’s easy to forget to focus on ourselves.
3. Plan Ahead like a BOSS!
Anything that you can tackle, that will take you less than 5 minutes, just do it! Pay the bill online, finish your kids camp registration, and plan your meals out for the week. If you think of something that you need to do, write it down. Brain fog is a real thing and it tends to occur at the worst possible times. I have also made it my mission to stay ahead of ALL the deadlines in this stage of life. I used to let those deadlines creep up, I would procrastinate till the last possible second and all this did was make me feel stressed out and unorganized. Of course there will be times when you have to prioritize one thing over another, last minute things will come up and when they do you will be ready to handle it like a BOSS rather than feeling like you don’t have your shit together!
No matter what you have planned for the week ahead or what the week decides to throw at you (and sometimes it will throw a lot all at once), do your best to be flexible and stay positive! Tackle it like a BOSS, exercise gratitude and find joy in your daily routine. Our days won’t always go as planned but if we are focused on shifting our thoughts in a more positive direction we can make the most of everyday of the week!
Midlife Mama
The Midlife Mama 