10 ways to make today more joyful
Weekdays can be a bit bloody dull sometimes can't they?! It's all too easy to rush to work, spend your day buried in emails, and then sloth about on the couch, completely exhausted, when you get home. You only have to check Twitter on a Wednesday to see the number of people cheering for hump day, counting down the number of hours until 5pm on a Friday.
This year I've been on a mission to love weekdays as much as weekends. Because weekdays make up two thirds of our lives, which is way too much time to not be having fun. So in the interest of making your average Thursday (or Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday) just as great as a Saturday, here are ten ways to make today more joyful...
1) Call your bestie/Mum/sister
Basically anyone who makes you feel a bit more yourself. Find out what's going on in their lives and let them share your excitement about whatever is going on in yours. Put the world to rights, reminisce on old times and look forward to feeling 100% better when you put the phone down. Even better if you can see them in person for a cuppa!
2) Wear a feel good outfit
I am so guilty of pressing snooze on my alarm until I only have ten minutes to get ready, which usually means I end up throwing on the only thing that doesn't need ironing before running for the bus. On the days I manage to put on a really great outfit and do something nice with my hair I feel ten times sassier and happier. So what I'm saying is wear something that makes you feel good and get ready for world domination.
3) Plan a trip
Having something to look forward to is THE BEST. Whether it's a glamorous holiday or a visit home to see your family, having something in the diary that you're excited about makes weekdays much more cheery. Take this as my permission to book those trains/flights/tickets you've been eyeing up...
4) Watch something funny
Watching some comedy and having a good ol' chuckle is my favourite little mood booster and it can quickly shake you out of any grumps you might have. My current faves include Katherine Ryan’s Netflix special and James Corden's Carpool Karaoke - I reckon I’ve watched them all at least ten times now.
5) Listen to songs that remind you of good times
You know those songs that just make you happy? The songs that remind you of your first girls holiday or when you moved to uni or when you first met your other half. Throw them all on a feel good playlist and indulge yourself in a bit of smiley nostalgia. Get extra feel good points by dancing around the kitchen to them.
6) Treat yourself to a great lunch
I'm a big fan of leftovers for lunch in order to save pennies, but once a week I make sure I nip into town and treat myself to something a bit more delicious and exciting, like a burrito or noodles or even just a fancy M&S sandwich. It somehow tastes even more delicious if you eat it away from your desk too!
7) Tick something big off your to do list
I don't know about you, but when I get that big, horrible, intimidating thing off my to do list I feel INVINCIBLE. Rather than faffing about getting lots of tiny things done, go straight for the kill and tackle the most challenging thing on there. You'll feel super productive AND you'll have one less thing to worry about.
8) Take 30 minutes just for you
Read a book. Take a bath. Go for a run. It doesn't matter what you do, but try and carve out at least half an hour to do something just for you. We are all so busy and "me time" can often be the first thing that is sacrificed when schedules are tight, but it will really help you relax and look after yourself. Also, you definitely deserve 30 measly minutes to yourself once a day!
9) Buy yourself some flowers
Because who says we have to wait for blokes to buy them for us?! They're pretty and they'll make you smile every time you look at them and you can get a bunch of carnations for about £2 so it aint gonna break the bank. Honestly, they will make your home feel so much more cheery and bright. If you're feeling adventurous you could even buy a plant but then you have the added pressure of trying to keep it alive...
10) Spend ten minutes outside
Because fresh air and sunshine is just bloody good for the soul, isn’t it? It's easy to forget just how close we are to rain and dark nights and howling wind - get outside now and get your vitamin D levels topped up in preparation for autumn! Just a little ten minute walk will have you feeling all smiley.
