Start Your Week Mindfully: Why Monday Is the Perfect Day to Begin
Theresa Ricke-Kiely
Clinical Faculty, Mindful Leadership Consultant and Author of The Path to Mindful Leadership. Practices for Nonprofit Success.
Mondays often bring a sense of unease. But this Monday may be particularly tricky for many of us. But what if we could flip the script? Monday can also be the perfect day to embrace mindfulness and find strength in new perspectives. Here are some thoughts and tips to help navigate not only today but the challenges of the next few years. Share your own ideas in the comments—we’re in this together.
1. Choose to Pivot Your Perspective
Monday offers us an opportunity to pivot, reflect, and celebrate progress. Consider this: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. dedicated his life to the pursuit of equity and peace. Rather than dreading what is happening on January 20th, let’s honor his work by celebrating our collective strides and continuing the push for the common good. It’s a reminder that even small, mindful actions can ripple into meaningful change. His movement is still alive!
2. Reclaim Your Power
It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of systems that seem overwhelming, but don’t let that sense of defeat take hold. There’s no mandate to give up hope or give in to despair before it’s necessary—if it’s even necessary at all. Remember, a significant majority of people did not vote for this change in government. That fact is empowering because it shows our potential to shape the future. Gratitude for this shared resistance can fuel us to keep fighting for what’s right.
3. Rethink Challenges as Opportunities
Our institutions and systems, like the Department of Education, have lifespans. When something is broken, sometimes dismantling it is the first step toward building something better. Can we say the current educational system is working for all of us? Absolutely not. ?The system is failing many—entrenched inequities, outdated policies, and incompetent practices are glaring issues. The opportunity gap is so wide- we should be embarrassed. While change is daunting, it can also be the starting point for progress. Imagine what a reimagined and equitable system could look like and how we can be part of making it happen.
4. Cultivate Empathy, Even in Frustration
It’s hard to understand how some people fall prey to misinformation or support systems that hurt them. But many are victims of propaganda, lack access to accurate information, or simply don’t have the tools to research effectively. Holding them accountable for their actions is essential, but practicing empathy can soothe your own frustration. Seeing them as manipulated rather than malicious may bring some peace as you work to address the bigger picture.
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5. Be Grateful for Stability Amidst Change
While bureaucracy can feel cumbersome, its size and complexity also mean that changes—good or bad—don’t happen overnight. This built-in slowness gives us time to act, respond, and prepare. It’s a frustrating but ultimately protective feature of large systems, and we can lean into that stability as we work to create meaningful change.
6. Find Comfort in Mindful Activities
Mindfulness is a powerful tool for grounding yourself in times of stress. Meditation is one option (Insight Timer is a free and easy way to start!), but I know that isn’t for everyone. Here are a few activities that may help you pivot:
7. Take Care of Yourself to Keep Fighting
The coming years may be challenging, but our ability to support one another—and the most vulnerable among us—depends on staying strong. If we let despair or apathy take hold, we lose the energy and resilience needed to push for change. Let Monday be your day to reset, regroup, and pivot toward hope. We haven’t lost the fight yet, so don’t obey in advance. Let’s take care of ourselves and each other as we continue working for a brighter future.
What are your favorite ways to stay grounded? Share your thoughts below—we’re stronger together!
Author of The Path to Mindful Leadership. Practices for Nonprofit Success
#Mindfulleadership #Mindfulness