On Sunday nights I used to feel an immense sense of dread—obligated, mildly depressed, unproductive—like everything ahead was going to be challenging and awful. I would toss and turn in bed, watching the minutes tick by, and ultimately wake up the next day exhausted and in a cranky mood, as though my predictions had come true. Now, for the most part, I feel rested and ready. I look forward to Sundays as a soft entrance to a fresh new week, and when the following day arrives, I’m someone who actually doesn’t have a case of the Mondays.
How did this happen? Several years ago, I decided to change my attitude around the beginning of the week. I turned Sundays (or even Saturdays, if I really got ahead of the game) into organizational days, with a heavy dose of rest, and Mondays consequently shifted to “do the bare minimum” days. As a result, I no longer experienced the so-called Sunday scaries on a regular basis. I looked forward to the week ahead with minimal stress. Here’s how you can do the same.