Squash Sunday Scaries
Sunday Scaries - we’ve all had them. I used to DREAD Sundays - as the day went, like clockwork, I’d get more and more anxious. By Sunday night, I’d do anything to distract myself and numb the anxiety of the coming week - stress from work that didn’t fill me up coupled with the overwhelm of a packed calendar. Essentially, another week to ‘get through’.
On my health journey, I’ve taken time to get to know this anxiety, to invite it to tea - if you will - and have found ways to not only subdue Sunday Scaries but no longer CLAIM this anxiety as mine.
Here are a few reframes and simple self love shifts to incorporate throughout the week to stop living for the weekend and start looking forward to every day.
Make more time for YOU during the week
Often Sunday Scaries boil down to the realization (whether conscious or not) that there won’t be ‘down time’ aka time for yourself again until the next weekend. How often do you give yourself permission to take a break, spend time with yourself, or treat yourself to your favorite self care activity during the week? I reckon not often enough! Two days off is not enough some weeks (most weeks) so give yourself some compassion and grace when you feel like your body and soul need some TLC this week.
De-clutter your week
Find things in your week that you’ve committed to - out of obligation, guilt, or duty - that don’t fill you up … and cancel that shit! Give yourself permission to take back control of your time. Instead of filling it with things you’ve convinced yourself you ‘have to do’, fill it with things that actually light you up. Whether that’s a virtual workout class, time devoted to creating, or just ‘free time’ to spend exactly how you want in that moment.
Feel and Let Go
Sunday Scaries anxiety can be overwhelming and usually our inclination, naturally as humans, is to avoid feeling it at all costs - to numb out with TV, our phones, food… maybe all three at the same time. But, I invite you to welcome these feelings. Take a moment to yourself and invite the anxiety to supper with you. Get curious about the sensations in your body, bring awareness to these sensations, and be present as you observe them. Notice how when you focus your attention on these sensations, you accept the nature of them in that they are fluid and PASS through you. Give yourself permission to pause, feel, and let go.
Sunday Nourishment!
As Sunday night approaches, take some time to be with yourself and cultivate a mindset for a successful week- however that looks to you. This can be as easy as sitting down for a 5-10 minute meditation, taking 5 minutes to consciously breathe, or choosing to stretch and nourish your body with a healthy dinner.