We all know that Monday is rough. The weekend wasn't long enough, we went to bed too late, and Monday means another week of school, work, etc. It seems that Monday is always getting bashed, and everyone praises Friday, but hardly anyone ever talks about Wednesday. Also known as hump day, Wednesday is that mid-week reminder that you're still only halfway through the week. It's a cruel day, really.
The family that I nanny for always asks me about how I'm doing; how school and my other job are going for me. At this point, I know that I can be very honest with them. Mondays aren't even hard for me. No, no, no, it's Wednesday and Thursday that make me feel drained. It's like you're so close to finishing the week but it seems so far away. Last week, I went into work on Wednesday, and was asked: how are you doing, how was school? To which I responding by saying it was a long day, but I'm great...it's almost Friday! (I try to be positive but sometimes it is hard after a long day at school, followed by coming into work. I told my "nanny family" that Wednesdays and Thursdays are my version of Monday. They seemed super receptive of this comparison. When I went into work on Friday, my nanny family told me: Wow, you look so different on a Friday, compared to a Wednesday. Yes, this is all too true! Friday is my day of victory, because I know that I had the endurance to finish the week and all of the curveballs that came with it.
To make it from that Wednesday slump to Friday's glory, I try to do a few things during my day:
1. Stop and breathe.
DUH this seems super obvious but we hardly think about our breathing unless we're catching our breath after running or walking up several flights of stairs, or practicing yoga. It's nice to be in-tune with your body and intentionally focus on what it's doing for you.
2. NOT think.
When I get home from work, school, or clinic, I give myself some time to do absolutely nothing relating to academics or anything for that matter. Sometimes I sit on my couch and read a book that I have chosen, or I watch a twenty-minute episode of The Office. During this time I absolutely do not think about all of the things that I have to get done. If I don't take care of myself and my sanity, I won't be able to get anything done.
3. Play with my hair.
Okay, I'll admit this one is a bit odd. Have you ever sit on your bed or in a chair and lowered your head so that you were looking down, and kind of just let it stay there for a minute or two? When I do that and start to play with my hair, I feel fantastic. It's simple, it's peaceful, and it's essentially something that can be done anywhere.
Whatever motivation you need to hear to get through the week, find it and stick with it. Whatever works, works!
Here are some Wednesday and Friday memes to hopefully get you through this week (or make you want to cry). :)
