The question of where 'Diet starts Monday' comes from is a fascinating one because it has two very distinct answers. On one hand, it's a widely used phrase reflecting a common psychological tendency. On the other, it's a specific, creative streetwear brand founded by two industry veterans. Understanding the difference is key to appreciating both contexts.
The Streetwear Brand: Diet Starts Monday
The brand 'Diet Starts Monday' was founded in May 2017 by Davin Gentry and John Geiger. While the name suggests a direct link to health and wellness, its origin story is much more casual and relatable to its target audience. Gentry and Geiger had been discussing starting a brand for years but kept putting it off. The phrase became a running inside joke between them, often said after indulging in late-night meals or drinks while traveling for work. It encapsulated their own procrastination and the eventually-to-be-followed-through-on intent to 'get back on track.'
When they finally decided to launch the brand in 2017, they realized the phrase perfectly captured their spirit and the brand's identity. The name reflected a sense of authentic, unpolished creativity, and a relatability that resonated with the streetwear community. The initial launch took place with a private showing at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, quickly gaining traction. The brand, which originated in Washington D.C., developed a reputation for its bold and graphic designs, standing out as a 'refreshing escape from traditional industry standards'.
The Brand's Philosophy
At its core, the Diet Starts Monday brand is about authenticity and following through on creative ideas, not procrastinating on them. As Gentry explained, "Given what it took to start, we knew the brand name needed to be related to procrastinating... We wanted to build off that foundation of authenticity and encourage creatives to put their ideas into motion today, rather than putting them off". The brand's success demonstrates a reversal of the very procrastination its name suggests, embodying the spirit of taking action.
The Psychological Phenomenon: "Diet Starts Monday"
Separately from the streetwear brand, the phrase "diet starts Monday" represents a widespread psychological tendency. It's an ingrained part of modern culture for many people dealing with health and wellness goals. This behavior is rooted in several cognitive patterns:
- The Fresh Start Effect: This psychological concept explains why people are more motivated to pursue goals after significant temporal landmarks, like the beginning of a new week, a new month, or a new year. Monday serves as a mental reset button, providing a feeling of renewal after the indulgence of the weekend.
- All-or-Nothing Thinking: The phrase often emerges from an "all-or-nothing" mindset, where any small deviation from a strict diet plan is perceived as a complete failure. This leads to a spiral of guilt and a decision to abandon healthy habits until the next perceived "clean slate" on Monday morning.
- The Procrastination Cycle: Saying "diet starts Monday" is a form of procrastination. It allows for an extension of "bad" behavior, pushing the responsibility of self-control into the future. This provides temporary relief from the pressure of adhering to a strict regimen, but ultimately perpetuates a cycle of guilt and repeated failure.
Breaking the Cycle vs. Buying the Brand
To better understand the two distinct concepts of Diet Starts Monday, consider this comparison table:
| Feature | Diet Starts Monday (Brand) | "Diet starts Monday" (Phrase) |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Founded by Davin Gentry and John Geiger in 2017. | Long-standing cultural phrase reflecting procrastination. |
| Context | An experimental streetwear brand with bold, graphic designs. | A psychological mindset related to health and wellness goals. |
| Meaning | Reclaiming procrastination to motivate creative action. | Procrastinating a lifestyle change by waiting for a reset day. |
| Goal | To create and sell unique apparel and art. | To delay difficult but necessary lifestyle changes. |
| Action | Takes creative action and produces new collections regularly. | Postpones action, often leading to a repetitive cycle of starting over. |
Mindset Over Monday: How to Break the Psychological Pattern
If you find yourself stuck in the psychological cycle of "diet starts Monday," here are some actionable steps to break free:
- Abandon Perfectionism: Stop viewing a small setback as a total failure. Understand that one unhealthy meal does not derail your progress. Focus on overall consistency, not perfection.
- Rethink Your Relationship with Food: Move away from labeling foods as "good" or "bad." Acknowledge that all foods can fit into a balanced diet, which helps remove the desire to binge on "forbidden" items before a new diet starts.
- Start Today, Not Monday: The next time you slip up, don't wait for a new week. Recommit at your next meal or the next morning. Treat every day, and every meal, as a new opportunity to make a positive choice.
- Focus on Sustainable Habits: Instead of overly restrictive diets that are doomed to fail, focus on small, consistent, and sustainable changes. This approach helps build lasting healthy habits without the pressure of a drastic, all-or-nothing plan.
- Embrace "Mindful Mondays": Instead of a restrictive diet, use Monday as a day for mindful reflection. Plan your healthy meals for the week, assess your progress, and reinforce positive intentions.
Conclusion
So, where is "Diet starts Monday" from? The answer depends entirely on the context. It is either the name of a successful and innovative streetwear brand built on taking action and turning procrastination on its head, or it is a reflection of a common psychological hurdle people face when trying to adopt healthier habits. The brand's creators leveraged a relatable phrase to build an authentic connection with their audience, while the psychological phenomenon serves as a lesson in the dangers of all-or-nothing thinking and the power of the "fresh start effect." By understanding the dual nature of this popular phrase, you can appreciate the creativity of the brand and also learn to build a healthier, more consistent approach to your own wellness goals.
For more insight into the brand's origin, you can read an interview with founder Davin Gentry here: https://voyagela.com/interview/meet-davin-gentry-diet-starts-monday-arts-district/.
