I find that most people dread Monday’s and think of it as the hardest day of the week. I used to be the same but have worked to change that with a few tricks and tips that will definitely make it easier to go by. Because of it, I decided to record how a regular Monday goes for me, from sunrise to sunset, with variations here and there.
Monday, November 30th
7:50am – My alarm clock, or phone, goes off and I slide the screen to make it stop.
8:00am – It goes off again, which is when I actually get up, those 10 minutes are gold. I wash my face, get dressed for yoga, turn on the water kettle and open the computer to make the morning post to Facebook and readings (usually a Portuguese news website and my blog roll).
8:30am – I drink my tea with a slice of toasted bread and butter, check my emails to see if there’s something important, prepare breakfast for M and, while he eats, brush my teeth and finish getting ready.
9:10am – M drives me to yoga, which is in a studio close by. This is one of the most important Monday activities for me, I feel like it sets the exercise tone for the rest of the week.
11:15am – I walk back home which usually takes me around 20 minutes, I take my iPod, listen to some music and slowly enjoy the way back – sometimes I take pictures on the way, the landscape is always gorgeous this time of year.
12:00pm – As soon as I get home, I eat a natural yogurt with a bit of honey, put on some make-up (normally concealer, mascara and liquid illuminator) and start getting lunch ready for me and M. I always try to get creative when preparing a meal, and did quinoa with some herbs, mixed with broccoli, peas and a hint of olive oil – oh! and a chicken burger for M.
1:30pm – I wash the dishes, clean up the kitchen and sit down on my computer, either at my desk, eating table, couch or bed. I always try to vary, depending on what I’m feeling in the mood for. I check my daily newsletters, chat with a friend, check my Instagram and Pinterest.
2:00pm – I look at my agenda to see if I have pictures to take, day light is still good, and ask M to take a few for upcoming posts.
2:40pm – I drive M to work to keep the car and use later on in the day.
3:20pm – I get home, take a few more pictures, sit down and start working on them and writing posts. This usually takes me the longest.
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| Recipe: one avocado ready-to-eat, a natural yogurt or almond milk and a spoon of honey, or to your liking. |
5:00pm – It’s already dark out and I start to get hungry so I prepare a little snack. I love doing different things, especially when I’m alone, and trying out recipes I can later reproduce for the blog, friends and/or family. I prepared an avocado mousse.
5:30pm – My mother starts spamming my Instagram with likes and comments, so I call my parents (with the time difference it’s already 10:30pm in Portugal). We chat for half an hour, catch up on what’s new here and there.
6:10pm – I go to Crate and Barrel to exchange a broken waffle maker we bought, we’re both keen on eating waffles and, for me, it’s sort of a fall/winter tradition. I also stop by CVS to print a few pictures for the frames we have lying around the apartment, and get myself some holiday chocolates.
7:20pm – Already home, I start preparing dinner (two small branzino’s with baked potatoes and broccoli), meanwhile, I remove my make-up, take a shower and try out the waffle maker, and it works perfectly! I send a photo to M showing him the results, he texted back with a furious private joke.
8:45pm – I sit down in front of the TV, tune in to a show I just started watching, House of Cards, on Netflix and eat my delicious branzino.
9:30pm – M gets home while I’m washing the dishes and I prepare his plate (he doesn’t have a 9 to 5 schedule and Monday’s are when he gets in later). While he eats, we both talk about our day, how it went and start discussing plans for the upcoming week.
10:20pm – We both lay down in front of the TV to watch yet another episode of the show, M falls asleep, of course.
11:30pm – I brush my teeth, apply my night serum and creams, go to bed and read until I get sleepy (I’m currently reading this book)!