In our lives, we have been programmed to conform to a societal routine where everything happens at a set time for a reason. Working nine to five, weekends off, and most of all starting that thing on Monday. While the coronavirus pandemic may have shook up our Dolly Parton routines, the latter unfortunately remains a phrase uttered far too often.
Now don’t bother trying to deny it – we all do it. Whether it be a diet, reading a book, a lifestyle choice or even simply a piece of coursework, Monday presents itself as the perfect time to do so. The beginning of the week, a fresh creative slate perhaps, the best time to start your new venture. Until you forget or something comes up of course, and you inevitably postpone yet another week. As, you know, you must start it on Monday.
“This is where I would catch myself saying: “Oh well it doesn’t matter, there is always next week.” “
This belief is a toxic cycle of unproductivity disguised as a well thought out attempt of a new start and timely beginning. I whole heartedly believe, as we all should, the best time to do anything is now. Not Monday, not next week, and please don’t save it for the perfect New Years resolution to flaunt across your social media.
I realised the more I saved things for Monday, the less I was actually getting done. It would be a Wednesday, I could be chilling out, watching a film, doing coursework and along come those intrusive thoughts of that new healthy habit, the edit to my routine, or something as simple as a book to be read. All things scheduled for Monday. That’s where the issue begins, as it is Wednesday and I had completely forgot about it until this moment. This is where I would catch myself saying: “Oh well it doesn’t matter, there is always next week.”
Until one day I stopped myself and decided to question my logic. As much as yes, life will continue into a new week in which I can do these things, why wait until then? I still have half of this week left, why wait until Monday to do this thing, a thing that is clearly important enough to invade my thoughts on a dull Wednesday afternoon.
“The world does not care when you do things, and I can promise you, neither does Monday. Today is the day. Do it now.”
Time is precious and, please excuse my negativity, we aren’t promised a next Monday. Therefore, we need to abolish this belief and do things in our own time. Start that diet, read that book, clean your house and please for your sake start your coursework.
The world does not care when you do things, and I can promise you, neither does Monday. Today is the day. Do it now. Monday doesn’t bring anything new except a week, a date. It’s simply a manmade name for a day of the week. That is all. Yes, the weather may differ, perhaps you have a doctor’s appointment today and not Monday, but truly what does make Monday the be and end all special date to start all important things?
Make a positive change for yourself, or others, sooner rather than later. It is time to cut all ties with our negative relationship with Monday. You never know, maybe you’ll realise Thursday is more your type.
Rachel Louise Gibson
Image courtesy of PublicDomainPictures on Pixabay. Image license found here. No changes were made to this image.
Rachel Louise Gibson
Multimedia Journalism Student at GCU working towards being NCTJ and BJTC accredited. She is a Features Editor and is a member of the Social Media Team.