“Sunday is the golden clasp that binds together the volume of the week,” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Sundays can often come with a lot of pressure.

On one hand, you can be tired from the previous work week and want nothing more than to just relax. However, on the other hand, you know you’ll feel as though you’ve wasted the day if you don’t get off the couch.

Struggling with wanting to be ‘traditionally’ productive but also wanting to recluse.

This is something I used to feel constantly (and sometimes still do) but over the years I’ve learned different ways to maximize my Sundays while still making sure I have time to relax.

Here are some of my findings.

1. Ask yourself what you need

Really take some time to think about this. 

It’s easy to trick ourselves into thinking we don’t need that self-care night or that afternoon with a friend, but sometimes those are the exact things we need to prioritize to feel fulfilled and ready to go for the week. 

But there are those days when we do need to spend an hour double -checking a document, writing a paper, sending e-mails, etc.

Taking time to think about if there’s anything you need to do will help you prioritize what is most important, but also help you identify those gaps in the day where you can focus on other things.

2. Do something that makes you happy

Some days tip number one and two will go hand-in-hand but other days they won’t.

On the Sundays that they don’t, think about the things that really make you happy and make time for them! On a Sunday, a few things that make me happy include:

• Waking up early 
• Making a good breakfast
• Having a shower or bath
• Reading
• Journaling
• Visiting a local bookstore
• Going out for coffee  

3. Beat the Sunday Scaries

The Sunday scaries are a very real thing for me.

I’ve found the best way to beat them personally is by prepping for the week to come. I mainly do this by using my agenda (where I write out my work schedule, write in any plans I have, time block for getting freelance work done, and plan the days I want to exercise, etc.) and bullet journal (primarily for organizing my finances and budget).

Those three items are the main ways that have worked for me over the years when it comes to having a great Sunday, without putting too much pressure on myself.

My Sunday best list if you will!

Ultimately, for me, it comes down to being more intentional about my Sundays – actually thinking about what I want to do (even if it’s just lying in bed all day) instead of just stressing about what I could do but realizing I’ve done nothing at the days’ end and regretting it.

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