I’m really excited to share this post with you all today because it’s something that I’ve wanted to write about since I first launched my blog. I think that, all throughout high school and for the first few years of college, I always dreaded Sundays. If you’ve ever heard of the term “Sunday Scaries”, then you know what I’m talking about. I’m referring to that feeling of dread and anxiety that sets in on Sunday, in anticipation of all the work/classes/responsibilities the next week will bring.
My Sunday Scaries
For a long time, I felt this every single Sunday and it manifested in so many different forms. But why did I think like this? After taking some time to truly understand my dilemma, I came to a conclusion. I felt this way because my heart wasn’t in my work. See, my weekdays would consist of doing work that I didn’t even enjoy doing. I dreaded it. So of course I would long for the weekend to come. But this certainly was not a good way to live. Did I really allow myself to only be happy for 2/7th of the week? It’s shocking but this would mean that I would only be happy for 29% of my entire life. This was just too suffocating for me.
I was constantly waiting for the weekend. Sometimes, we tend to take it a step further and place our happiness in some distant day in the future. I was under the impression that once the weekend (or some specific day) comes, I’ll magically be happy and everything will be great. I learned the hard way that this is not how life works. What happens if that day never comes? Do we just crumble? If we idolize the weekend or any specific day like that, we are gambling with the only thing we are 100% guaranteed: the present.
Making Changes & Redefining Sundays
Now, I certainly don’t have it all figured out but I think one of the secrets to living a good life is finding joy in the small things. In the ordinary. Something, everyday. Big or small. And, yes, even on the weekdays 🙂
To bring it back to my earlier point, once I realized this way of life was harmful, I decided to redefine what Sunday meant to me. I took it upon myself to change how I saw this day because I knew it was no longer serving me.
But… it also didn’t happen overnight. It would be great if I could snap my fingers and make everything better for you in a few seconds. But it truly took a lot of effort. It took several weeks..about 10 months, in fact, to get to a point where I could banish my Sunday Scaries once and for all.
How did I do this? Well first, I started to do work I loved. I joined a new internship that I am still very proud to be a part of. I rediscovered my hobbies and interests. I started this blog to bring joy to others. I took pride in every single thing I did, no matter how small it seemed. And that translated to no longer being afraid of Monday-Friday. I kept my weekends sacred, putting up boundaries for both traditional work and class work. I spent my Sundays recharging and taking care of myself. I checked in with myself and, if I found that I was losing focus of what truly mattered, I recalibrated and adjusted. I journaled. I made joy lists. I cooked. I worked out. I listened to music. I spent time with loved ones. I did whatever it took to brush off the dust and start afresh. Over time, I went from completely dreading Sundays to cherishing them so much. Instead of seeing Sunday as the day before a long/tiring work week, I began to see it as a day to reset in order to be even stronger next week..a day to actually look forward to.
And, let me tell you, that feeling is so freeing.
Seize Every Day
It shouldn’t matter to us if it’s not the weekend yet. We have to get in the mindset of thinking “YES! Today is Tuesday! Time to seize the day!” instead of “Oh man, it’s only Tuesday? Still so long until the weekend…” It takes time to change a rigid mindset but when you make the effort to appreciate everyday for itself, you will thrive in all aspects of life.
Friends, I urge you: never take a moment for granted. And don’t get discouraged by anything or anyone – you are on your own journey. And, lastly, don’t be afraid to do what it takes to create a life you love.
Wonderful post Snigdha ! I love the idea of Loving what you do everyday . “Seize the Day “is a great idea ! Live life to the fullest extent one day at a time.