Do you ever have a morning where your alarm goes off and you’re like… “Nope!” That’s the way I felt this morning. There was nothing especially wrong- usually Monday is an optimistic day. There are new blog posts to read, new podcasts, a fresh start to the week- but this morning I just didn’t want to.
There were even some things that were extra-good about this Monday. Dinner was already made (leftovers from last night!) I had a good trail run on Sunday, so I could stop worrying about my foot, at least temporarily. My daughter had a rehearsal after school, so I didn’t have to pick her up until 6:00. But I just didn’t feel like getting up and doing it all, all over again.
It’s not like I do the exact same thing every day. Some days I run; some days I go to the gym; some days I do a strength workout at home. Some days I go to Starbucks after my workout where I drink tea and read blogs before work. It seems like I mix it up as much as possible, but still, sometimes it just feels like the same old grind.
The only remedy I’ve ever found for this is to just get up and do it anyway. Having kids is great for this, because there’s not much of a choice. But let’s say I didn’t have to get my daughter off to school, and could sleep in, skip my workout, and get up barely in time to get to work. I would definitely end up feeling worse.
I would also feel worse if I called in sick for no good reason, and I would feel worse if I ate candy for breakfast. All the things that seem like they would cheer me up would actually end up having the opposite effect, so I might as well get up and get moving.
SIGH! Is it just a Monday thing? What do you do when you just don’t want to???
Top photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash
23 Responses
Yep I get you. My days are somewhat similar, and sometimes it’s just like “ugh, another Tuesday”.
The best solution is what you say, just do it. But for other things, when they get too monotonous it’s a sign that it’s time to move on and do something else. For example, a few months before I stopped running I had a strong case of the “I don’t want to’s” with every run, especially long runs. The closer my half marathon got the more I realized that I was hating every minute of the training. That caused me to say “OK, I loooooved running for a long time, but now I don’t.” and I was then able to let it go and move on to other things.
Okay, you’ve convinced me to give up running. JUST KIDDING. But I do know what you mean- it could mean it’s time to switch things up a little.
I know, some days are just like that. I always think that I will feel shitty if I don’t do my routine, so I do. And that usually works. I also notice when I start feeling that way, it’s close to when I have a vacation planned – I just think the occasional break makes everything normal better! Maybe you need a vacation, Jenny!
Hmm! Maybe you’re right. Well, summer is coming- there will be some breaks in the routine then.
Many days are like this. It’s usually the gym. Because I can convince myself that it’s not essential. I can also go later. But I rarely do.
And I do skip gym mornings. I’m better about running when I don’t want to.
Yes, I totally agree. I can always get myself to run- but going to the gym is a while other level. I can usually get myself to work out, but I’ll let myself skip some of the harder or less pleasant things… I should probably have a trainer.
I’m thinking the same.
I definitely feel this, especially on Mondays when I’m still thinking about the weekend and wishing three day weekends were the norm, haha! My days are pretty similar, though I change up where I run every day which helps break up the monotony, and it also helps having something to look forward to like a race or a vacation to encourage me to keep going!
YES! Today I started thinking about my race in May, and that helped me get excited again.
I feel like this regularly. Sometimes I give in and take the break (I don’t feel like I deserve or should “need”) and other times I push through and that alone makes me feel better. I think part of aging is learning my cues better? When do I push and when do I stop? But I’m still figuring it out!
Yes, you’re right. There’s definitely a time NOT to push through. But figuring out when that is, is tricky.
Oh yes. I am familiar with this feeling. I have been trying to take a page from Elisabeth’s book and rest when I need it; I figure if my brain and body are telling me to rest, if I don’t listen, they will “rest” some other way (by getting sick or injured). But it’s so hard not to feel guilty for taking it easy!
It does seem like the best remedy is to just do it anyway. But I do also try to treat myself. Not necessarily with things (like candy) that will make me feel worse in the long run (although I do turn to comfort food a lot, which sometimes has that effect!), but with things I consider “treats,” like a coffee at Starbucks or a glass of wine with dinner or whatever. The only other thing that helps me counteract the blahs is going outside. Sometimes I have to force myself to do even that, but I never regret being in the fresh air and moving my body, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
I hope today is going better for you!
Thank you, Suzanne! I do feel better today. And I’m wondering if part of the “blah” feeling is the start of summer- which for us means we don’t want to go outside. I know, it’s opposite for us. I agree that being outside can definitely be a cure for the blahs. Also wine : )
What a great question! Looking at the comments, it seems that we all feel like this now and then.
I try to think of ONE thing that I’m looking forward to for that particular day. Maybe it’s a chai latte mid-morning, a run over lunch time, a good book and a glass of wine in the evening. Just one thing, no matter how small. It usually helps!
I agree, Catrina! Even if it’s a regular work day, there’s still something good to focus on. I try to build those things into the day, and it definitely helps.
For the last two nights in a row, I’ve been in bed by 9:30 with lights out by 10. It has made a world of difference in how awake I am when the alarm goes off. But, honestly, I still would rather be in bed.
Engie, you may have hit the nail on the head. I haven’t been sleeping great lately. A really good night’s sleep could cure everything.
So many wise words in these comments! I’m still working on figuring out when it’s ok to take a pause because something dragging my energy or not serving me and when it’s better to push through (because I’ll feel better on the other side)…
Oh yes I totally feel this way. But I can’t give into those feelings because I have young kids that prevent me from being able to just lay in bed and lump about for a day. Yesterday when I woke in my hotel room, I so did not want to get up and work out. But I told myself – ‘you packed these clothes and you will be so mad at yourself later if you don’t get up and workout.’ So I did and I felt better afterwards! But it’s hard to remember that you will feel better after you do thing you don’t feel like doing!
Like others have stated, I definitely feel this on a regular basis. And like Elisabeth said, it’s about figuring out when to push through and when to give yourself a break. Sometimes that means I tell myself I can take a nap on the couch after my meetings are done for the day or I’ll order something for Ubereats for lunch to give myself a little treat. It helps to break up the monotony a bit!
Oh, I would hope we all have these days sometime… if that wasn’t the case, I would be seriously worried. Haha. But you’re right, having a routine (even if it slightly varies) helps make the daily grind bearable. You just DO IT.
Yes, definitely some days are just a nope. And for the most part I agree that I just keep on keeping on and am generally glad I did. Every now and then I do need to call in sick or skip a workout because of a high pain level or a bad mental health dip, and I just forgive myself for those and move on. I really like my not-the-same-every-day work schedule and that usually makes it easier to get going in the morning.
True confession – I stink at listening to myself. So I nearly always just get up and get going, as much as I may not want to. I’m from a “suck it up and move on” kind of family and I think I did a really good job of internalizing that. 😉 That said, maybe a bit of variety in the routine? Run the route backwards… eat dinner for breakfast…try a different coffee shop? Same structure, different details? Just a thought. I’d have trouble doing it myself, though, so feel free to completely ignore me. 😉