It's just another manic Monday. I wish it was Sunday. That's my fun day; I don't have to run day. The Bangles sang their beginning-of-the-week blues to us in the 80s and we all collectively felt their pain then, just as we still do today. Monday has become the official day of loathing; the poutiest day of the week, just after the "Sunday Scaries". When did it become cool to publicly pity the first day of the work week--has it always been this terrible--and what does it signify about our [particularly American] work culture?
Get caught complaining about a boss, coworker or assignment online in a public platform and you could [and should] lose your job on the spot. Yet, all over social media, at least in the creative industries, professionals are sharing their personal disdain over Mondays in borrowed quotes, memes, gifs, hashtags and anything else "trend worthy" for mere "likes" and applause. How is one action more or less appropriate than the other? Especially considering the multitude of these creative entities' social media pages' are more than likely being run by a young intern. We're teaching our younger generations today that it's perfectly acceptable--even trendy and encouraged--to hate having to get out of bed and go to work, or take on any responsibility whatsoever. Superiors, coworkers and peers are also fully aware of your #MondayBlues thanks to that attention seeking Instagram post, so yeah, no wonder your work life sucks. You've decried it for any and all to see.
Of course we all love and wholly prefer weekends. Lazy days left entirely up to us to decide what to do with. And no, like the children we used to be, we don't like giving them up for routines, commitments and any adult responsibility whatsoever. But it's not like we're suiting up and heading to war. Well.., some of us might be; considering the "work" in question and the "army" we must tend to... In reality though, the majority of these Monday-gripers have cushy jobs and are more often happy in their roles than not. They're just banking off the widely shared notion that no one loves being a grownup 24/7, and therefore, isn't this "trend" sorta silly? I mean, if a factory worker in Bangladesh wants to share a tweet about their #SundayScaries or #MondayBlues then I applaud it. Here, so many of us have it better than terrible. Also, when has it ever been truly chic to complain about anything involving our own self-pity. I can't imagine Jackie-O Snapchatting a perfectly polished middle finger aimed at an alarm clark at dawn on a Monday in her day...
None of this is to negate real work-related angst. Trust me. I know all too well the crushing emotions that are summoned by noon on a Sunday only to implode by midnight at the realization I was to face another week of hell for a measly paycheck once again. I've been imprisoned by jobs that have provoked many sleepless nights, quiet sobs alone in bathroom stalls, hives, ulcers, and pure depression--even PTSD. I've worked for and with people I hope to never cross paths with ever again. It's awful, and I sincerely sympathize with any most unfortunate soul currently enduring any of this. My advice: GTFO. Seriously. No job is worth that amount of terribleness simply to maintain employment, make ends meet, or even in the hopes it leads to the ultimate career goal. Look everywhere for anything else. Or figure out a way to ease the pain that doesn't solely involve copious amounts of tequila. Even still, I truly sympathize, and I salute you for making it this far.
Now that I'm strictly freelance writing I regularly look forward to Mondays. The first day of each week signifies a chance to network or catch a new assignment. The latter part of the week is when things slow down. Potential employers or clients begin to mentally check out in anticipation for the weekend. I also look forward to Mondays because of the energy in the air that sparks a bit of motivation to get organized, get inspired, and work--just as I, too, anticipate Fridays for the more relaxed vibes the weekend brings. Life is all about balance, isn't it. Too much of a good thing and it's no longer desirable. We work--to play. Mondays will always be a heavy reminder that the temporary fun is over, but if we collectively start to celebrate its significance--a fresh start--then work might just become more enjoyable. Tolerable, at least. That's why I'm starting the #MerryMonday movement. It's an effort to try and change, or even soften, the blow of returning to mundane routines and responsibility. I hope you'll join me. Let's give Mondays a break and start showing them a little love. At least do it for the interns--they haven't quite earned the right to complain just yet (unless they are in fashion and well, I'm so sorry, kids..). And hey, there's always a chance to make #TerribleTuesday a thing.