Shadowing Practice: Monday Blues, I hate Monday! |🎙 8 Minute English | Beginner - Learn English Speaking with YouTube
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Hi, everyone.
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Hi, everyone.
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Welcome back to 8 Minute English on the Learn English Podcast.
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How are you feeling this Monday?
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Ready to tackle the week, or are you just wishing for one more day of the weekend?
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I have to say, Mondays always feel like the longest day, don't they?
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It's like my coffee is working overtime just to keep me moving.
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And speaking of Mondays, today we're diving into something many of us can relate to, the Monday blues.
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Do you ever feel a bit down, sluggish, or just unmotivated as the new week begins?
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Don't worry, you're not alone.
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In fact, it's such a common experience that people have given it a name, the Monday blues.
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But here's the big question.
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Why do we dread Mondays so much?
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Is it just about work, or is there more to it?
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In today's episode, we'll explore why Mondays feel so heavy
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and how you can turn them into the best day of your week.
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Plus, I'll share some fun and practical tips to beat those blues and start your week with positive energy.
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So grab your coffee, or tea if you're fancy, and let's get started.
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And don't forget to listen closely to the conversation later in this episode for even more insights into conquering the Monday blues.
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Classic Monday blues.
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What even is Monday blues?
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Is it just being lazy or is there more to it?
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Actually, it's a real thing.
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It's that feeling of dread or lack of motivation we get when transitioning from a relaxed weekend to a busy work week. That makes sense.
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I mean, I didn't even look at my work emails this weekend, and now they're piling up like a mountain.
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Plus, most of us don't get enough rest over the weekend.
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Staying up late, binge-watching shows, it all catches up with us.
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So we're tired, unprepared, and overwhelmed.
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No wonder Mondays feel like a nightmare.
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But it doesn't have to be this way.
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There are small habits that can help you beat the Monday blues.
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Like what?
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Drinking more coffee?
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Well, coffee helps, but starting your day with movement is even better.
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Just 10 to 15 minutes of stretching or walking can boost your energy and mood.
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I'll try that.
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What else?
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Eat a proper breakfast.
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Skip the sugary stuff and go for whole foods like fruits, nuts, or oatmeal.
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They keep you full and focused longer.
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Hmm, I usually just grab a donut and coffee.
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Maybe I should rethink that.
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Definitely.
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Oh, and don't forget to stay hydrated.
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A glass of water right when you wake up can do wonders for your body.
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Good point.
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I always forget to drink water in the morning.
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Anything else?
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Yes.
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Plan your week ahead.
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Spend 10 minutes on Sunday night organizing your tasks.
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It makes Monday feel less chaotic. That makes sense.
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I always feel like my Mondays are a mess because I don't even know where to start.
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If you start with small, clear tasks, it's easier to build momentum for the rest of the day.
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Hmm.
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So instead of diving into big projects right away, I should tackle something simple first?
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Exactly.
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Maybe reply to a few emails or clean up your workspace.
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It sets the tone for a productive day.
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Okay, but what if I still feel tired on Monday morning?
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Sometimes no amount of planning seems to help.
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That's when self-care comes in.
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Try starting your Monday with something you enjoy, like listening to upbeat music or taking a quick walk outside.
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Music sounds like a good idea.
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I can make a Monday motivation playlist.
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What about the walk?
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It feels like extra work.
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Not at all.
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A 10-minute walk can clear your mind and even boost your creativity.
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Plus, it gets your body moving, which helps fight off fatigue.
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Okay, so planning ahead.
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Small tasks, music, and a short walk.
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Got it.
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Anything else I'm missing?
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Yes.
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Set realistic goals for the day.
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Don't try to finish everything on your to-do list.
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Focus on what's most important.
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That's a good point.
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I do tend to overpack my schedule and then feel stressed when I can't get it all done.
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All right, I'll give these tips a try. Who knows?
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Maybe I'll even start to like Mondays.
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Let's break down some useful phrases from our chat about beating Monday blues.
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First up, Monday blues.
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This means the feeling of sadness or lack of motivation many people get on Monday mornings.
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For example, I always get the Monday blues after a relaxing weekend.
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Next, plan ahead.
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Plan ahead.
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This means to organize or prepare for something in advance to reduce stress later.
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For example, if I plan ahead on Sunday night, my Monday feels less chaotic.
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Another phrase, small wins.
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These are minor achievements that make you feel motivated to keep going.
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For example, replying to all my emails in the morning feels like a small win.
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Then, there's boost your mood.
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It means to do something that makes you feel happier or more positive.
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For example, listening to upbeat music in the morning always boosts my mood.
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Finally, set realistic goals.
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This means to create achievable targets to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
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For example, I set realistic goals on Monday, like finishing three tasks instead of everything at once.
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So, we've talked a lot about beating the Monday blues today.
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But now, let's make it personal.
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What's one small habit you think could help make your Mondays better?
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Maybe it's something simple like enjoying a quiet cup of coffee, or perhaps taking a short morning walk.
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What works for you?
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For me, I think starting the day with music is an amazing way to feel motivated.
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There's something about a great playlist that can instantly lift your mood.
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What about you?
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Do you have a favorite song or type of music that gets you going on a Monday morning?
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Share it in the comments.
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I'd love to hear your picks.
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Do you think planning your week on Sunday can really reduce stress on Mondays?
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I've found that spending just 10 minutes on Sunday night organizing my tasks makes a huge difference.
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It's like having a little roadmap for the week.
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How do you prepare for your Mondays, or do you prefer to just go with the flow?
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Let me know.
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I'd love to hear different approaches.
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I really believe it works because it gives me a clear idea of what's ahead.
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There's no scrambling to figure things out on Monday morning.
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It's all planned.
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What's your take on this?
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Do you think planning is worth the effort?
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Or do you think Mondays are just meant to be tough?
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Drop your thoughts in the comments.
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I'm curious.
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Alright, let's wrap things up with some fun facts about Monday blues.
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Did you know that most people report feeling their lowest energy levels on Monday mornings?
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And here's something surprising.
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Studies show that Mondays have the highest number of workplace absences.
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But here's the good news.
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Researchers from the University of Vermont discovered that setting small goals on Mondays can boost your productivity by 30%.
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That's pretty inspiring, isn't it?
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It shows that Mondays can actually kickstart a productive and positive week.
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So why not make next Monday your fresh start?
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And hey, if you want to explore today's tips further, we've got something special for you.
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A free PDF guide.
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You can find it in the description box or the comments section below.
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That's it for today's episode of 8 Minute English.
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Thanks for hanging out with me and let's make Monday something to look forward to.
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Take care and I'll see you next time.
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Why practice speaking with this video?
The "Monday Blues" video provides an excellent context for English speaking practice, especially for beginners. As many can relate to the experience of feeling sluggish or unmotivated at the start of the week, the conversation taps into common emotions and expressions that are useful in everyday discussions. By practicing speaking skills while listening to this dialogue, you not only enhance your vocabulary but also build confidence in discussing feelings and routines. Embracing this relatable topic can significantly improve your English speaking practice, helping you to articulate your thoughts and feelings in a more structured way.
Grammar & Expressions in Context
Here are some key structures and phrases you'll encounter in the video:
- “Feel like” - This phrase is often used to express emotions or desires, such as “I feel like I need more coffee.” It’s useful for expressing personal feelings in a casual way.
- “It’s like” - This phrase serves to make comparisons or analogies, e.g., “It’s like my coffee is working overtime.” Understanding how to use this structure can make your English conversations more engaging.
- “Don’t forget to” - A gentle imperative that encourages action, often used in advice-giving contexts. For example, “Don’t forget to drink water.” Practicing this structure can enhance your ability to give helpful suggestions.
- “Actually” and “Definitely” - These adverbs are often used to affirm statements, adding strength to what you say. Using them can improve the natural flow of your speaking.
Common Pronunciation Traps
As you work on your improve English pronunciation skills, pay attention to these tricky words and sounds:
- Binge-watching - This term can be challenging due to its syllable stress. Make sure to pronounce it as “binge-WATCH-ing” to sound more fluent.
- Overtime - This word may be mispronounced due to the connecting sounds; practice saying it as “OVER-time,” emphasizing the first syllable.
- Motivation - A common word in various contexts, ensure you pronounce it correctly by stressing the “MOT” part: “MOT-i-VA-tion.”
Listening closely to these words in the video can help with shadow speech. Repeat after the speaker to practice rhythm and intonation, perfecting your shadowspeaks technique. Take advantage of the opportunity to learn English with YouTube to refine both your speaking and comprehension skills!
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.
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