How do you feel when you hear the word, 'Monday'? For most, it evokes feeling of dread, anxiety, and severe stress. I used to be one of those people, too. Until I decided to embrace my feminine, soft side.
My masculine side is very strong. I've always been one of the strongest, if not the strongest in our family. I'm the one who figures things out. That is well and good, but I can't keep pouring from an empty cup. I have learned to say no and to get my priorities straight.
My name being at the top of the list.
My Mondays are not for hustling. It's for setting my intention for the whole week. I use Mondays to set the mood, the tone, and the attitude for the following days.
Mondays are no longer a race for me — they’re a gentle return to myself. Soft intention is my strategy.
Monday Begins
Today, I woke up when my body said yes. I don't set alarms except for specific occasions when I really need to get up early. I'm a night owl. So is my son. We are both ADHD. We sleep when our brains have decompressed.
The garbage truck was noisy, but I chose sleep. (You shall not ruin my Monday, garbage truck driver!) It's rude to keep honking the horn several times in succession for a long time. The other driver just honks the horn twice or thrice and everybody hears him. I told myself, this too shall pass, and drifted back to sleep.
Protecting my peace is part of my ritual now. I don’t let chaos choose how I feel — I decide.
Around 10 in the morning, my body said yes. I opened my eyes gently after saying my morning prayers. My son's dad was sick in the middle of the night, so I wasn't able to complete my morning ritual. I made it up to myself by taking a slow shower.
I chose a sakura body wash today. Can you see the petals mixed with the body wash?
The scent is very mild and non-triggering.
This doesn't dry up my skin, and that says a lot considering how dry and sensitive my skin is.
It complements my daily cleanser:
After a relaxing shower, I did a facial gua sha massage and wore a sheet mask.
Esfolio Volcanic Ash Essense Mask Sheet
This is the second Esfolio mask I'm featuring here. The first one is the
Pearl Essence.
Volcanic Ash products work really well on my skin. It’s like nature’s way of saying: let’s detox the noise — from skin and spirit.
✨ Why Volcanic Ash Works Like Magic for My Skin
1. Deep Detox & Purification
Volcanic ash acts like a magnet — it draws out toxins, dirt, sebum, and impurities from deep within the pores. Perfect for Glow Ladies who deal with congestion, pollution, or city grime.
2. Oil Control Without Overdrying
It helps regulate excess sebum, making it ideal for oily and combination skin. Bonus: it doesn’t strip your skin barrier, so you still feel soft and nourished after. I have very dry skin, but this works well for me, too.
3. Natural Exfoliation & Smoothing
The superfine particles gently slough off dead skin cells, leaving skin smoother, more refined, and prepped for the rest of my routine. Think: glow-up without the scrub.
4. Anti-inflammatory & Soothing
Volcanic ash is naturally rich in minerals like sulfur, which helps calm inflamed skin and reduce redness. A lifesaver for those random breakouts or post-period skin flare-ups.
5. Antibacterial Properties
It helps fight acne-causing bacteria — perfect if you’re dealing with occasional hormonal pimples or texture.
6. Mineral-Rich Rejuvenation
Packed with minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium, volcanic ash gives your skin a mini spa moment. It helps balance, replenish, and energize your skin barrier.
Naturally, I had high hopes for this sheet mask. It didn't disappoint. My face was calm after. No tightness, no itching. The redness went down.
It says on the pack that it delivers abundant moisture and nourishment deep into the skin. I felt that moisturizing effect.
Taking Care of my Hair, Too
I did my usual skincare routine after I removed the mask.
That sheet mask wasn’t just self-care. It was a boundary. A soft “no” to the rush, and a sacred “yes” to me.
I also applied some hair oil because, why not?
This hair oil always gives me natural beach waves
Simple Breakfast
After taking care of myself, I wore my Mom/Homemaker crown and cooked breakfast. I used to rush cooking in the morning to feed everyone, but I changed my routine. If they're hungry, they can get food from the fridge. My son usually wakes up late and if he wakes up earlier than usual, it's okay, too. He doesn't eat right away. He needs time for his stomach to settle before he eats. He also does his morning rituals first before breakfast. (Like me!)
I've been craving tuyo for a few days. I need more salt to prevent dysautonomia symptoms and to keep my whole body functioning well. I might be lacking salt that's why I was craving it.
Fried rice, danmuji, poached egg (I removed the whites and forgot about it that's why it looks a little too done, tuyo (salted dried fish)
These slow breakfasts are love letters to my nervous system. Nourishment is my leadership.
🕊️ Why Starting the Week Slow Is Powerful
Here are my reasons why I don't rush myself at the start of the week.
1. I'm setting the energetic tone.
When I begin Monday soft and intentional — not rushed, not reactive — I reclaim my power. I'm not scrambling to meet demands. I'm setting the pace. The world adjusts to my rhythm, not the other way around.
2. I'm activating my parasympathetic nervous system.
Starting slow gives my nervous system a chance to breathe. Instead of cortisol-fueled hustle, I invite in oxytocin and calm. That actually makes me more productive throughout the week, because I'm working from overflow, not survival.
3. I choose my mindset, instead of inheriting the world’s noise.
I begin with rituals that remind me who I am — skincare, a cold beverage, prayer, planning, maybe a little journaling. It’s not just self-care. It’s self-definition. I'm anchoring myself before the world tries to define me.
4. It protects my inner creative.
Creativity dies in chaos. Starting slow gives me ideas room to rise. Whether I'm writing, designing, leading, or mothering — a gentle Monday gives my muse space to whisper.
5. I'm aligning with feminine flow. (And this is very important to me)
The old “rise and grind” is rooted in masculine systems. My body, my energy, my seasons — they thrive when I honor softness, receptivity, and flow. Starting the week slow is a radical act of feminine power.
✨ So if you’ve ever felt like Mondays were too loud, too fast, too much — maybe it’s time to rewrite the script. Slow is not lazy. It’s intentional. It’s powerful. It’s how I start my week, and I invite you to try it too. Begin soft, and watch how the rest of your week rises to meet you.
So no — I don’t “start the week strong.” I start it soft. And that softness is my greatest strength.
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