How I Romanticise My Workday So I Love Mondays

Let’s be honest, some days, work can feel like a never-ending to-do list. And when you work remotely, it’s all too easy to fall into the trap of rolling out of bed, living in your hoodie, and logging into Zoom half-asleep. I’ve been there. But over the last year, I’ve learnt how to bring a bit of romantic energy to my 9–5… and dare I say, I actually look forward to it now.

Here’s how I romanticise my workday (without pretending my inbox isn’t full).

1. The slow morning walk that sets the tone

First things first: I walk to work. I know it’s not for everyone, but even a 10-minute stroll to my favourite coffee shop or co-working spot completely changes how I feel.

I pop in my Jabra Elite 5 earphones (the BEST noise-cancelling ones on the market), queue up a mellow playlist or a feel-good podcast, and treat it like my own little opening scene. No emails, no Slack, just me and a pretty street full of sleepy-eyed commuters and bakery smells.

I opt for the most scenic route and enjoy every moment. I’ve recently been exploring Jabra’s noise-cancellation feature to block

2. My coffee shop moment is non-negotiable

There’s something about ordering a caramel cappuccino from a barista who knows your name that makes you feel like you’ve got your life together, even if you definitely don’t. I’ll usually spend the first hour working from a coffee shop before heading into a co-working space.

A little change of scenery goes a long way when your job is 90% screen time!

I opt for the most aesthetic coffee shops because I find these the most enjoyable to work in! Romanticising your work day is all about finding small ways to make your mundane tasks more enjoyable.

I also keep my earphones in (unless the coffee shop music is particularly good!) and use the noise-cancelling mode to block out any distractions.

3. I build “main character” moments into my schedule

Whether it’s scheduling my lunch break around my favourite midday walk route or lighting a candle when I’m working from home, I add little moments of joy throughout my day. I’ve even started using a cute pastel timer app to do focused work blocks, which makes me feel like I’m in a productivity TikTok (in a good way).

At the moment, I’m enjoying taking my lunch outside and having a mini picnic each day. It’s really simple but it makes me feel like my whole day isn’t just revolved around work!

4. I wear my favourite clothes

Listen, I love leggings as much as the next girl. But getting dressed in an outfit I feel cute in does wonders for my mindset. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy- just something that makes me feel put together and confident. Add a bit of perfume, gold hoops, and suddenly you will feel 100% better!

I invest quite a bit of time in finding the PERFECT clothes that make me feel good no matter what kind of body image day I’m having. Cognitive biases mean that our brain looks for things that feel similar to how we’re already feeling. So, feeling good about yourself from the moment you get dressed is a great way to have a good day.

5. I protect my peace with sound

Co-working spaces and cafés are great, but they can get noisy. Enter: my trusty noise-cancelling earphones. I swear by them. Whether I’m deep in writing or just need to drown out that guy who’s been on the same Zoom call since 9am, they help me stay focused and in my little productivity bubble.

Bonus: they pair perfectly with ambient playlists and rain sounds when I’m in a concentration mood.

6. I romanticise my end-of-day wind down

Instead of just slamming my laptop shut at 6pm and doom-scrolling on the sofa, I’ve created a little “log-off” ritual. I’ll close all my tabs, write tomorrow’s to-dos in my planner, and then head out for another short walk- this time to the gym!

It helps me mentally clock out so I can actually enjoy my evening.

Romanticising your workday doesn’t mean ignoring your deadlines or pretending work is always dreamy. It’s about creating little rituals that make your day feel more like yours (rather than your boss’s!) Because when you treat your work life with intention, it becomes something to enjoy, not just endure.

Want to try it?

Start small. Pick one thing to romanticise- your morning walk, your desk set-up, or your afternoon playlist- and build from there. You don’t need a new job to feel more excited about your day. Sometimes, you just need a good coffee, your favourite playlist, and a pair of noise-cancelling earphones.