Hello and welcome to or welcome back to Trigna's Care.
If you're new here, my name is Ashley and I upload every single Monday to give you the best big sister advice on all things friendships relationships, mental health, navigating life you name it, i talk about it, or i probably talk about it also.
Happy may.
I can't believe we're already in may.
I am kind of freaking out just a little bit because i do get married this year.
I get married in august and i definitely have been procrastinating planning this wedding, or maybe not procrastinating or maybe yeah, i don't know.
I just thought I had much more time than I actually do.
Four or five months seems like a long time, until you have to plan a whole wedding and also not even plan a whole wedding, but also a bachelorette and a Jack and Jill and a honeymoon.
It's a lot, but I mean good problems to have.
I always find myself saying I can't believe it's already May, I can't believe it's the end of the year, I can't believe it's the beginning of the year, times moving so fast, which I'm sure so many of you do that as well.
And for me that feeling typically stems from me being on autopilot and kind of just living my life rather than enjoying it, particularly during the weekdays, especially in my old job where I was working 830 to 330 or like four o'clock.
I was constantly counting down the days until the weekend because I was just so unhappy at my job.
I'd go to this job where it was really demanding, very overstimulating and really a burnout type of work, where you're there all day really fighting to keep it together, to then go home, eat dinner, settle in for a couple hours and then go to bed and do it all over again.
So during the week, I just kind of go on autopilot and either feel numb or feel depressed.
I really was just letting my life pass me by waiting for two days out of the week to come, and not even two full days, because I'd finally get to the weekend and I couldn't fully enjoy Sunday because I'd get the Sunday scaries.
You know being anxious and dreading the week ahead.
So I really was just waiting for Friday night and Saturday.
The thing is, our lives are made up of weekdays, not just weekends.
If we spend our whole week just waiting for Friday night or waiting for the weekend, we're basically wishing our life away.
If we're only present two days out of the week, of course, come the end of the year or the beginning of the year, we're going to be shocked and confused how time passed us by so quickly, or how did we get here?
I personally don't want to continue on that path.
I don't want to miss out on my life just because Some days are as exciting as the weekend.
The reality is a lot of life is boring and mundane.
If things were always over the top, those big moments that we have wouldn't feel that big.
We wouldn't appreciate the really grand and important moments.
But just because every day doesn't feel like the weekend or it's not the best day of your life doesn't mean that you can't enjoy it.
You can still enjoy your weekdays and have something to look forward to throughout the week and and every day.
In today's episode I'm going to give you a realistic day-by-day system to make your week feel good physically, mentally and emotionally, so you're not feeling super down throughout the week or feeling hopeless, like you have nothing to live for, which I know sounds dramatic.
But when those Sunday scaries come along, that's how a lot of people feel.
I know for me, I definitely felt that way.
So every day of the week is going to have a theme, and I like doing it like this because it gives more structure and something for us to look forward to.
So if you want some tips or ideas on how to enjoy the week, to then help you ultimately enjoy your whole life, not just the weekend, this episode is for you, so let's get into it.
I know that a lot of people like to make their sundays productive, so that way they set themselves up for success throughout the week.
I definitely am that person.
Sometimes it really depends on my mood But I also like the idea of just allowing yourself to relax on Sunday.
I mean, you only have two days off if you don't work the weekend.
So why are you expecting yourself to be productive when you waited all week for the weekend?
Enjoy it.
I think Mondays are really good for setting the tone for the week, making Monday your get your shit together day.
Mondays are hard to begin with.
Usually Monday's the day where you wake up with the most anxiety and dread, because you're aware that you have an entire week to get through.
Like.
The workday is long as is, but the realization that, once you get through the day, you still have to do that four more times is really hard.
It can be very depressing when I feel like this, even when it has nothing to do with work, and I just don't want to go somewhere, or I don't want to do something, or I have an obstacle that I'm dealing with in my life.
I like to turn to gratitude.
Practicing gratitude daily is something I really encourage because it does impact your mind greatly.
But if sitting down and thinking about what you're grateful for daily is too much, make Monday the day where you prioritize doing it.
Just spend five minutes not even thinking about what you're grateful for, who you're grateful for and what you're looking forward to for the week.
It can be small things like your morning coffee, getting home from work and changing into comfy clothes, or it can be any of the things we're gonna talk about throughout the episode.
After you practice a little gratitude, you're going to do a brain dump and make a list of things that you want to do or need to do for the week.
Knowing what has to get done for the week and what the week ahead looks like gives you clarity, and clarity reduces anxiety.
Also, when you stay proactive and you cross things off your to-do list, you feel better about yourself and your life.
Productivity increases momentum.
This is also the day where you get things in order, you get organized and you set the tone for the week.
So, when you have the time to, or when you get home from work, you're going to clean up your space.
Throw a load of laundry in the washer maybe, wash your sheets, wash your bedding, go to the gym, pick up groceries for the week.
All the things that take a little more time, that are tedious, that may feel like a chore, but will make you feel so much better about yourself once they're complete.
When you feel organized, you feel more in control.
Tuesdays are your thing Tuesdays, something that is entirely for you, that you enjoy, that you aim to do every Tuesday.
For example, where I live, my local movie theater does five dollar movie tuesdays, so that is mine and josh's dedicated day to go see a movie, if there are any good movies out which honestly, there's been some bangers out lately.
Recently we saw the drama, we saw project hail mary, which was like one of my favorite movies ever, and then we just saw the new michael jackson movie.
I love watching movies in general, but i love going to the movie theater.
It's so nostalgic, but also i just love dressing comfy.
I love ordering popcorn and getting a coke.
I love getting home late and just crawling into bed.
It's one of my favorite date nights.
But also going to the movies is such an easy solo date idea.
It's not as intimidating as going to lunch or dinner by yourself.
It's very chill.
Other things that you can do are signing up for a book club, joining a girls group to meet and make new friends, going to a workout class or even just having a hobby that you do every Tuesday sitting down to do arts and crafts or crocheting, or playing an instrument or practicing a sport.
Having a thing that you commit to once a week gives you something consistent to look forward to, but it also helps build your identity outside of work.
When you spend so much time doing something like going to work, you almost attach yourself to that thing, to that job, and it feels like it becomes who you are.
So having other things that you spend your time doing help counteract and remind you who you actually are, what your interests are, what you like, what your personality is, like your quirks.
It reminds you that you're so much more than what you do to make a living.
Wednesday, we're halfway through the week.
But at this point we're usually super exhausted and you just cannot believe that the week's not over.
You're ready to call it quits and tap out.
But instead of giving into this midweek slump, we're going to break it by having something planned to look forward to.
This can be getting dinner with a friend, having a date planned with your significant other, taking yourself on a solo date, going on a hike, dedicating the night to binge watching a show that you've been meaning to get into, spending the night playing a video game.
Just having dedicated time to doing something whether it's alone or with someone you love that excites you.
Something that you wish you could do every day if you had enough time or you didn't have to go to work.
Another thing that's simple but can make your Wednesday more fun is stepping outside of your normal routine and upgrading it a little bit by ordering your favorite takeout to work.
You know, instead of having leftovers from the night before that you don't really want to eat, bring something or get something that you're actually really excited to have for lunch.
Or allow yourself to stop to go get a coffee, instead of making your coffee at home and just splurging on yourself a little bit, treating yourself at least once during the week.
We're inching our way to the end of the week.
We're at Thursday, so we're not quite there yet, but...
Thursdays are for resetting ourselves and taking some time to do self-care.
Think of this night as time for you to wash away the week and make yourself feel good, feel clean, feel confident.
All things that you deserve to feel not just during the weekend.
So once you get home from work, or if you don't work, just when you get time to do this, maybe a couple hours before you go to bed
You're going to get unready and pamper yourself the way you would if you had a hot date coming over.
You're going to put the same amount of effort into yourself as you would if you were getting ready to go out for the night with your girls.
We're talking full everything shower exfoliate, shave your whole body.
Wash yourself clean with a body wash that smells really good.
Do a hair mask shampoo, conditioner.
Wash your face oil and moisturize your body.
Blow dry your hair.
Face mask.
Pluck your eyebrows whitening strips, lip mask, eyelash serum.
Put a cozy pair of pajamas on with some cozy socks.
Do the whole routine.
I feel like so many of us feel like we're only able to do these things when we have an excuse to do them.
If we have plans, if we have a date, if we have a big event where we want to look good.
When you look good, you feel good.
So why not do that on a regular shmegular Thursday?
Creating this routine and making a Thursday ritual signals to yourself that the week is coming to a close, which is exciting.
And it also boosts your confidence going into Friday.
I want to wake up Friday morning smelling good, my hair freshly blown out, my skin glowing.
Because it makes me feel good and it's just going to add to the day.
It's going to add to the good energy, which everyone wants to have on a Friday.
And then finally, once Friday comes around, we're treating it as a celebration.
It's a reward.
We got through the week, we did the hard things that we had to do and we made the most out of our time.
Like Wednesday plans are being made because when you have something to look forward to, when you know you have set plans where you get to do something you enjoy or see someone that you love, it changes the whole day.
You don't let the little things get to you as much when I used to be at my old job or even now, let's be honest, When I have plans, especially on a Friday, I am giddy.
I'm like a little schoolgirl.
I get so excited to see my friends and go out and hit the town and not worry about being home at a certain time or being worried about being too tired the next day or being hungover.
Like going out on a Friday night is just the best.
For me, Friday is for good dinner, good drinks and good company.
You can obviously change it to fit your lifestyle more, but my ideal Friday is going out for dinner, specifically getting Mexican or Italian, getting a few drinks, and then going out to socialize or going out and dancing.
Like The idea of having plans with my friends or with Josh that involve a meat and cheese board and a glass of wine or tacos and a margarita gets me going.
Like it really is exhilarating.
It really doesn't take much to impress me or make me happy.
I literally just want to be with my loved ones well fed and a tasty little drink in my hand.
But there's also Friday nights where, where that isn't the vibe for me, especially if I had a super crazy busy week.
Sometimes the vibe is a cozy, intentional night in where we're in our PJs doing more face masks, ordering takeout, watching a show or watching a movie.
The point is that you intentionally make plans, so you have something to look forward to, something that you actually want to do.
I also like to end the week with what went well.
If you are going out, maybe do this before you have a couple drinks, but you can even do this and think about this while you're getting ready for the night.
Just think of three to five things that you really enjoyed, or you're proud of yourself for completing.
It's important that you celebrate your effort and you congratulate yourself for making it through a really hard week.
This is just a very basic breakdown of how you can make your week more intentional and more enjoyable.
Obviously, you can alter it to fit your lifestyle more or sub in things that you enjoy doing more.
But what I want you to keep is having themes and making sure each day has purpose.
I know it might seem like these aren't these huge things that are going to make your life better.
This guide isn't revolutionary.
It's not meant to be.
What I want you to realize is small rituals change your experience of life.
Instead of coming home from work and spending five hours scrolling on your phone, spend those five hours with people that you love or doing an activity that brings you joy, or just taking care of yourself.
It might not seem like a big deal but I promise making that change will change the way that you show up in your life and view your life.
I will put the full breakdown in the show notes if you want to have that visual.
I'll also have my Instagram and TikTok linked in the show notes, if you're not already following me there.
Lastly, I wanted to say thank you to everyone who purchased merch.
It's now unavailable, but if we do restock, I will let you know.
So thank you so much for anyone who bought something.
I appreciate you so much.
And as always, thank you so much for listening to this week's episode.
I hope that you enjoyed it and I hope to have you back here again next Monday.
But until then, I will see ya.
Bye!
