How to stop hating Sundays

We've all been there: it's Sunday morning, and the feeling of dread starts creeping in. The weekend is coming to a close, and the thought of returning to work or school on Monday looms large. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as the "Sunday blues," and it can be a real buzzkill on the last day of the week.

Not to be a hypocrite, but personally, I have always loved Sundays. Waking up after a fun and busy Saturday to a whole day filled with nothing ahead of me. You finally have time to do some cleaning, go for that walk you have been procrastinating all week, and take that nap you’ve been dreaming of since Monday. I mean, in my eyes the only annoying thing about Sunday is that the stores are closed, but then again that also forces you to get outside and do something other than collect perfume samples at ICI Paris. 

Now you are probably thinking “Why is this annoying hypocrite of a Sunday lover telling me how to feel?”. To be honest, as a big-time thinker, I find the concept interesting, and who knows maybe you will agree with me. I guess the reason I started looking into the Sunday blues in the first place was that I have a partner who absolutely hates Sundays. We have talked about it a lot, and I fully understand where the feeling is coming from. The question is just, can we change it?

I do believe that my mom definitely had a say in my love for Sundays. She will never let a good Sunday go to waste. As a stereotypical Norwegian child, my Weekend’s end was often spent outside hiking in the mountains or learning how to ski in the backyard. We would also go to museums, watch a movie, or take the boat out to visit my grandparents on the Nordvik farm, well, we still do. I guess now that I look back at it I should probably thank my mom for making my Sundays so memorable. I mean just look at this!

I was doing some research on the Sunday blues phenomenon, and I found a study done by The Sleep Judge in 2019 that showed that 81% of people who answered said they experience dread and anxiety on Sunday night. 81%! But does it have to be that way? Well, I guess that’s up to us. With a little bit of planning and a positive attitude, we can at least try and make the best of our Sunday. Here are a few tips to help you do just that:

Plan something fun for Sunday.

Whether it's a brunch with friends, a hike, or a trip to a museum, having something to look forward to on Sunday can help alleviate the feeling of dread. And for all the parents out there, giving your kids memorable Sundays can really change their perspective on this dramatic day in the future, I am living proof of it! And it does not have to be grand or expensive. Have a picnic in the backyard, build a pillow fort in the living room and have a movie night, visit the grandparents or bake some cookies. Trust me, they will cherish it forever and so will you!

Reflect on the past week.

Maybe get a journal? Sundays are a great time to take stock of the past week and think about what went well and what didn't. Use this time to set intentions for the coming week and make any necessary adjustments to your schedule or goals. Try to figure out what makes your Sunday so overwhelming and make some changes. I know this can be a hard one, and for some, it may even seem impossible. I think the trick is to take it one step at a time. 

As a follow-up to my previous point: For some, those changes could be bigger than others. Considering I am not living under a rock I do of course realize that the main reason for the Sunday blues often is work. (Yes, I am going there.) Which I think we can all relate to sometimes. But if your job is causing extreme stress and anxiety, maybe that’s a good place to start making changes, no matter how scary that sounds. Did you know that your job is actually supposed to give you energy? And this I have heard from a psychologist! If your job is right for you, it is supposed to give you a sense of fulfillment and energy. So if you find yourself utterly exhausted at the end of every week, and dreading going back to work already Sunday morning, you might not be in the right place! 

Get organized for the week ahead.

Use Sunday as a day to prepare for the coming week. Make a to-do list, lay out your clothes, pack your bag, plan the dinners, and do what you have to do to make Monday morning a little less hectic. Or, (plot twist) maybe this is where the problem lies? Everything is piled up for Sunday. In that case, I have 2 tips for you. Number 1; put on that one playlist that gets you so fired up you could run a marathon, works for me every time! And number 2; ask for help! You are not meant to go through life on your own. Ask for some assistance from a partner, kids, friends, parents, or maybe even a housekeeper. Nobody is expecting you to do it on your own.

Spend quality time with loved ones.

Sundays are a great day to spend time with family and friends. Whether it's a big Sunday dinner or just a casual hangout. Being stuck inside your own bubble of stress is never good for the Sunday blues. Getting out and being social with friends and family can make a huge difference! Maybe you will even find that you have friends and family who can both relate to your problems, and help you out. Even if not, getting out of that overwhelming bubble of stress and having a good laugh with someone close is always good medicine for the Sunday blues!

Prioritize self-care.

Sundays are a great day to focus on self-care and relaxation. Take a relaxing bath, read a book, practice yoga, and put on that facemask you have been saving for a “special occasion”. Treat yourself to a home spa day, you deserve it! Do something that makes you feel good and boost your mood to make the end of the weekend feel less like a drag. Besides, self-care is in!

One of the most important things to remember when trying to stop hating Sundays is that it's okay to have bad days. Everyone has them, and it's important to be kind to yourself and not beat yourself up for feeling down. Instead, focus on making small (or big) changes that can help improve your mood and make Sundays a more enjoyable day. If you think about it the weekend only consists of 2 days (2,5 if you count Friday night) so why are we spending 50% of that already so limited time worrying that it’s almost over? Of course, it’s easier said than done, and who am I to sit here and tell you to get over it! But step by step, with some small changes, a helping hand, and a fire playlist the Sunday blues will have nothing on you!

Now go enjoy your Sunday! Till next time. 😉