I Hate Sunday Nights: How I Turned Sunday into My Favorite Day

Intro: Your Sunday Night Staring Contest

Picture this. The sun has set on your weekend. You can feel Monday looming like a disgruntled storm cloud on the horizon, and it's making you wish tomorrow was more like that one distant uncle... obscure and easily forgotten.

This is the universal 'Sunday Scaries'—the deadly combo of dread and restlessness that settles in as the weekend bliss evaporates. Don't worry; you're not alone. But who am I to wallow passively as the weekend slips away?

Grab a comfy spot, loosen your tie-dye pajamas, and join me in this therapeutic vent against the clock that's ticking Sunday away faster than we can binge-watch an entire season of "The Great British Bake Off".

Understanding the Sunday Scaries

Why do we detest Sunday evenings with such emotion? It's not the chicken you forgot to defrost or the unattended laundry pile (though those do nothing to soothe the soul). Rather, it's the psychological transition from freedom to the grind, a gnawing realization that the party is over, and Cinderella's pumpkin is a 9-to-5 job.

Yup, the Sunday Scaries, when work responsibilities, self-doubt and your hangover collide, producing a whirlwind of "I Hate Sunday Nights"... maybe with a four letter word added in front.

But the Scaries are more than just a mood killer. They throttle our mental health and productivity, sapping the little precious energy we have left to grab life by its weekends.

What's worse, this funk — like a stubborn grease stain — can affect the entire week. Studies show that those who experience intense Sunday dread are more prone to workplace burnout and lower job satisfaction.

Strategies to Change Your Mindset on Sundays

It doesn't have to be this way. We can turn the tables on Sunday nights and reclaim them as a formidable asset in our weekly happiness strategy.

You won't just stop hating Sundays... you'll learn to love them.

Develop a Winnable Evening Routine

Sundays aren’t the time to run marathons (unless that's your jam). It's about setting achievable "me-time" goals. Diminishing the anxiety around the day's end is as simple as turning it into something you look forward to.

Start the evening by drawing a bubble bath or dipping your toes into a pint of your favorite double chocolate ice cream while watching an episode of ‘80s sitcoms.

The point is, make it enjoyable. Consistency is key; the more you look forward to your Sunday night routine, the quieter the dread becomes.

Plan the Conquest That Is the Week Ahead

Knowledge is power, especially when the foe is “Monday Morning”. Spend a few minutes jotting down your goals for the week, handling the logistics, and maybe even possibly meal prepping if the stars align.

A little planning can do wonders to ease the transition from Sunday to Monday, and if you're looking for more tricks check out these 10 Monday Tips to Kickstart Your Week on a Positive Note.

Self-Care It Out

Now, I’m no deep-tissue aromatherapist, but I dare say that a bit of self-spoiling works wonders for the soul.

Whether it's meditation, painting, or even dusting off that old harmonica, engaging in activities that you genuinely revel in on Sundays can create a positive association with the day.

Say adios to Sunday dread with an "all-about-me" battle plan. Plus, if you do this stuff during the day you'll feel more accomplished and ready to just chill come Sunday night.

If you need a little helping hand when it comes to decompressing, then try some CBD gummies to help you get out of your own head and settle your nerves. And if you want the therapeutic effects while also catching a buzz, ditch that hangover-filled glass of wine and try out some THC gummies.

These are great add-ons for a self-care Sunday.

Achieve Work/Life Balance

Ah, work-life balance, the unicorn of the modern job search. Counter the dread of Sunday nights by ensuring that the weekend isn’t all about slacking or slogging through duties but finding that delightful equilibrium.

It's not just about what you do on Sunday, but how you blend rest, recreation, and readiness throughout the entire weekend.

Do things that make you feel a sense of accomplishment, and ideally, those that can be continued into the week.

Maybe it's finishing a book you can bring up at the water cooler. Or possibly learning how to juggle, which is—admittedly—less practical but twice as celebratory.

If you're one of those over-achievers who wants to get ahead and feel productive, then try just cleaning up your email inbox or plotting out your schedule for the week. This will make Monday seem less daunting.

My Personal Story on How I Made Sundays My Favorite Day

I used to hate Sunday nights... like absolutely hate them. Especially during the times when I was single. I felt isolated and alone and a huge lack of love. These feelings were especially exacerbated after a heavy night of Saturday drinking or overall weekend partying.

Yup, the hangxiety was debilitating.

I'd often question my self-worth, especially since I was so attached to my business and job that when I took time off I felt guilty. I felt shame.

After reading go-getter motivational book after motivational book, and listening to star achievers like Kobe Bryant and Gary Vaynerchuck talk about relentless work ethic, I started to feel some imposter syndrome.

Was I good enough to be a success? Was I working hard enough even though I felt like I was working myself to the bone? If I take time off will I have to press the reset button on Monday and rattle my flow state?

All of these things used to haunt me, until I smartened up and realized that I'm 10x more successful when I detach and get a day of rest.

It's like going to the gym. If you work out the same muscle super hard every day, then there's no way you're going to be able to lift as much the next. Well, newsflash, your brain works like this to.

Don't over-exhaust yourself in the name of "staying productive". Get some well deserve rest on Sundays, connect with friends and embrace Sunday night as a time for restorative entertainment.

After all, Sundays ARE part of your weekend.

My 5 Personal Tips for When You Hate Sundays

1. The Art of Procrastination:

Yes, you heard that right. If you dread doing something on Sunday, then simply don't do it. Push it to Monday. Sundays are for rest, relaxation, and occasionally watching paint dry. Seriously, it can be more interesting than you think.

2. Tidy Up your Living Quarters:

A cluttered space leads to a cluttered mind. Spend some time organizing and decluttering your living space on Sundays. It will help you feel more organized and ready for the week ahead, and again, "accomplished".

3. Become a Couch Potato Connoisseur:

Make a list of the most ridiculously rated movies or TV shows you can find and dedicate your Sundays to watching them. Aim for content so light that your brain feels like it's floating in space. It's the perfect way to make Sunday feel less like the day before Monday and more like an intergalactic vacation day.

4. Write a Simple To Do List and Execute:

Keep it simple and achievable. Don't try to conquer the world on a Sunday, but do include some tasks that will make you feel like a champion when you accomplish them. This could be as simple as grocery shopping or meal prepping for the week ahead.

5. Put Your Phone Away in Another Room:

Sunday nights can often bring on a wave of anxiety as we start thinking about the upcoming week and all the tasks that need to be done. Instead of mindlessly scrolling through social media or work emails, put your phone away in another room and focus on relaxing and unwinding before bed. Trust me, it will make Monday morning feel less daunting and you'll prevent bad thoughts from entering your mind space.

Conclusion: Sunday Nights Are the Best

Hate is a strong word, but when it comes to Sunday nights, it feels like the right fit. It’s time to reject the notion that your weekend should be overshadowed by the fear of the coming week.

Instead, use it as a restorative launchpad for a productive, positive seven days ahead. Revel in the weirdness of enjoying a Sunday and start looking forward to it, it's all in your head.

This isn’t a slew of life hacks designed to empty your wallet on Himalayan salt lamps or cranial echo chamber recordings. It’s a reminder that Sundays should be more than a countdown to dread.

It's about reshaping the narrative—remembering that the end of the weekend is not the end of joy, but a prelude to the new scenes Monday promises.

You might just end up loving Sunday nights like me. And hey, wouldn't that be a plot twist?