The Dark Side of "Motivation Monday": Why We Need to Be Realistic About Productivity

    Monday mornings have become synonymous with motivational quotes and messages on social media. We've all seen the hashtags: #MotivationMonday, #MondayMotivation, #RiseAndGrind. The idea behind these posts is to inspire and motivate others to start the week off on a positive note, but is this trend really as harmless as it seems?

    I know someone who struggles with anxiety and depression, she found that the pressure to be productive and positive based on the criteria that social media projects, especially on Mondays, can be overwhelming. She often feels like she's failing if she's not up early, working out, meditating, and tackling her to-do list with boundless energy and enthusiasm. The reality is that most of us don't have the time, energy, or resources to maintain this level of productivity every single day, let alone on a Monday morning.

    The "Motivation Monday" trend can cause different effects on different individuals as it can perpetuate the idea that commercialized productivity and success are the ultimate goals in life. It suggests that if we're not constantly striving to be better, faster, and stronger, we're not living up to our full potential. This mindset can be particularly damaging for those who already struggle with feelings of inadequacy or impostor syndrome.

    I remember one Monday morning when I was feeling particularly low. I had just received some negative feedback on a project I was working on, and just like that, it gave me a feeling of failure. As I scrolled through my Instagram feed, I was bombarded with images of people working out in the gym, running marathons, and crushing their goals. I felt even worse like I was the only one who wasn't living my best life.

    It wasn't usually like that. I just continued on and later that day, I realized how unrealistic and damaging this mindset can be. I recognized that hey, we all have bad days, and that's okay. We don't have to be perfect or productive all the time. Sometimes it's enough just to get out of bed and face the day.

    So, what's the solution? It's important to remember that productivity and success look different for everyone. We need to be realistic about our own limitations and focus on what we can do, rather than what we can't. We also need to be mindful of the messages we're sending to others, especially on social media. Instead of posting unrealistic and unattainable goals, we can share our struggles and offer support and empathy to those who are having a hard time.

    In conclusion, while the "Motivation Monday" trend can be a positive force for some, we need to be aware of its potential pitfalls. We need to be kind to ourselves and others and remember that productivity is not the be-all and end-all of life. As the saying goes, "progress, not perfection."