The Sunday Scaries
For a 26-year-old who owns a tech company, I am not very hip, or trendy for that matter. So, a lot of times when a new ‘term’ hits the market, I often turn to urban dictionary (I am certain my college profs. would not be proud) for a little relevant guidance. “Sunday Scaries” was my most recent look up.
This was one that was all too familiar. My dad was a surgeon when I was growing up, I know that he experienced a certain level of anticipated stress the night before a big week of surgeries. I certainly do not have many life-or-death experiences in my day job, but I can relate to the Sunday stress that comes in prospect of the week ahead.
I have an even further perspective on this. I am an “achiever” in life. I don’t sit still well, I love to be active, I love to be constantly excited and thinking about what is next. Woah is me, but really what I am trying to say is that I am professionally ADD/ADHD. That works fine and dandy as an entrepreneur or as a businessman/woman. But, it’s absolutely terrible when it comes to taking a day off, or relaxing, or…dare I say, rest.
Biblically, God talks about The Sabbath as a day of rest. Whether you believe in the bible or not is up to you, but regardless, the idea of a day of rest, or period of rest, is absolutely wonderful — and as somebody who pretends he has it all together more than I care to admit, it’s necessary.
For myself personally, it’s incredibly challenging to actually rest. A day of “nothing” is actually incredibly stressful/overwhelming. I can sit down on a beach, or relax in a comfy chair with a nice beverage…for about 5 minutes until I want to start doing something, working on something, etc.
On Sundays, I have adopted a tradition that I have grown rather fond of. In my opinion, it’s the perfect combination of mediation and day-dreaming. I allow my mind to run freely with new ideas. I build real estate ventures in my mind, solve major life problems (like saving elephants from going extinct), create amazing new tech companies all in my head (some ideas are good, most ideas are terrible). I think about all the people I would invite into these, or think about who I should share this idea with so they could take it on way better than I ever could. Sometimes these ‘sessions’ last 20 minutes, or a few hours. But in the craziness of my day-to-day, and my mind, it’s an amazing (and very restful way) of letting my mind run freely. And there is nothing more restful than the feeling of being free.
If you are like me, the Sunday scaries is not just a funny new slang term, but one that truly has an influence on Sundays. Can you relate? And if so, what do you do to combat this? — Send an email to [email protected]
Staff Accountant
4 年"A day of “nothing” is actually incredibly stressful/overwhelming." Hate that this keeps happening in today's society because it is perpetuated by "rise and grind" culture, it's toxic and needs to stop. Also, what on earth does it mean to be "professionally ADD/ADHD" sounds like using buzzwords just for the sake of it, and honestly very tone-deaf. P.S. the phrase is "woe is me"
Certified EOS Implementer - West Michigan / Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula
4 年Hey Matt - I started a leadership program for entrepreneurs from a guy named Dan Sullivan and he has taught me a different set of terms for my days - Focus Days, Buffer Days, and Free Days. Focus days are work/income related work. Buffer days are selling/preparation/thinking days. Free days are when we let go of work entirely for 24 hours and let our minds/actions focus on all of the other important stuff in our lives. The premise, and I have personally experienced it (as well as hearing testimonials from my cohort peers) and the impact is resting our minds so that we are more creative/focused for our Focus and Buffer days. The thing I like about Dan is he is 100% focused on entrepreneurs, and has walked this journey with thousands of them. Glad to share more personally at some point if it sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing your thoughts - it is an important topic for all of us.
Public Relations & Adjunct Professor
4 年Nice article, Matt. I'll need to let you know when I figure this one out. It's dogged me since birth.