Don't start new habits on Monday: Expert explains why
Why you can't start something on Monday and how to change it (photo: freepik.com)
Tell honestly: how many times have you planned a 'new life' from Monday? Or from the first day of the month? Or maybe even from January 1? And how did it go? Usually, it didn't. Ukrainian life coach and sexologist Vitaliy Kursik explains why you didn't succeed with that in a comment to RBC-Ukraine.
Why we like to start on Mondays: How to change your habits
As the expert explains, the mechanism is simple: we tie changes to a "nice date" because it seems like it’ll be easier to start that way. But in reality, it’s just a way to postpone the beginning.
Like, "Okay, I’ll just live like before for this week, and then I’ll start for sure." And then Sunday evening comes, and you throw yourself a farewell marathon — eating everything in sight, lying around motionless, or glued to your phone, because ‘tomorrow a new life begins.’ And then Monday comes... and either you stick to the plan for a few days, or you immediately fall off because something didn’t go right, says Vitaliy Kursik.
Stress, fatigue, lack of preparation —and here you are again telling yourself, "It’s okay, I’ll start next Monday."
Why do people love starting things on a certain date?
The human brain craves symbolic turning points — the start of a week, month, or year feels like a clean slate. It creates an illusion of control: 'Now everything will really change.' But in reality, this is just an illusion of motivation, not a genuine desire to act.
Psychologists call it the "fresh start effect" —we overestimate motivation and underestimate routine. And waiting for a magical moment is a form of procrastination. The best time is when you feel the impulse and have clarity of action, the coach explains.
What’s wrong with Mondays and the first day of the month
Unrealistic expectations. We imagine Monday as a day of great accomplishments, but then we’re faced with real fatigue, obligations, and stress. This is demotivating.
Shifting responsibility. The promise of 'starting Monday' is a way of avoiding starting now. It’s procrastination disguised as planning.
Social template. We subconsciously imitate others: everyone’s 'starting on Monday,' even though it doesn’t work for most people.
How to start a new habit the right way
Start the moment the idea comes to you
The best thing is to take action within 24 hours. Even if it’s Wednesday evening or Saturday morning. The main thing is to act right away, not wait for the "perfect start."
Introduce changes gradually
You don’t need to radically change your entire life all at once — it won’t work. Small steps will be more effective. Let it be 5 minutes of exercise (running, dancing) or even just a glass of water.
Don’t wait for perfect conditions
Because they’ll never be perfect. There will always be something getting in the way —how you feel, how the day started, something you forgot, or something else.
Allow yourself flexibility
If something didn’t work out one day, it’s not a failure, it’s part of the process. Just keep going.
Change isn’t tied to the calendar — it begins when you decide to act. So if you want to change something, don’t wait for Monday. Start now, advises Vitaliy Kursik.
You may be interested in:
- What to do when nothing brings joy, and what steps can help you get out of an internal crisis
- How to listen and truly hear — developing the key skill for a harmonious life
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
