What Your Sunday Scares Are Really Telling You and what to do about it.

Monday Blues are too familiar to all of us. But how many times could you notice that sinking feeling on a Sunday evening?

You’re not alone.

If you have chosen to read this article, chances are, you probably saw my poll on LinkedIn and it resonated with you. That tightness in your chest or wrenching belly. The strange sadness, perhaps? Its a low-grade dread. The mental countdown to Monday morning, which we may dismiss saying - "I have the whole night, let me focus on what's here and now". But what if I told you this emotion isn't just a nuisance? Its a crucial data indicating something vital about you and your work-life balance.

Let’s dive in evaluating it a bit: 

Those opting for... Dread & Anxiety

What its telling you?: "My work environment is depleting me, not developing me." This isn't just about "a lot of work on my plat scenario", but could be a sign of misalignment with your core values. It could well may be a toxic culture or a micromanaging boss. Perhaps even a lack of purpose in your tasks, or ahem, a feeling that your voice isn't heard. Your body is reacting to a fundamental threat, that is going unnoticed. It is the feeling of being trapped in a space where you cannot thrive or no longer want to be.

So what to do? Of course job change or a conversation with colleagues or venting to friends/spouse will help relieve the immediate surface level tension, but the issue is deeper and an incision is needed to cut through. 

The First Step: Get curious and ask yourself: "What specific event or interaction from last week is causing the strongest feeling of dread?" Pinpointing the trigger is the first step to designing a solution.

If this option was on your mind "Neutral"

What its telling you?: "I'm in control, but I'm running on a treadmill." Chances are your are organized one or are completely numbed due to overwhelmed. Or is your neutrality a sign of autopilot? Are you in a place where you have mastered to do your job, but have lost the sight of 'why'? There's no fire, but there's also no spark. The risk here is stagnation and quiet burnout.

Your First Step: How about adding at least one element of growth or curiosity into your week. Would learning something new this week will add that element of spark or having a coffee with a colleague who you dont know yet? In what ways can you break the routine to rediscover engagement.

If you opted for "Anticipation for the Week"

What its telling you?: "My work is an expression of my strengths and goals." You've likely built a career that aligns with your interests and values. Or you are in the honeymoon period or have just been promoted. These are all great places to be, but it's not a fixed destination. It requires ongoing intention to maintain.

Your First Step: Acknowledge and appreciate this feeling but go on asking "What is the one project or relationship I'm most excited to move forward this week?" Double down on that.

If you are "Still Switched Off"

What its telling you?: "My boundaries are strong, but my engagement might be low." Congratulations on protecting your personal time! This is a sign of healthy compartmentalization. But, if this "switched off" feeling is about the lack of energy or interest for the week ahead, it may be a sign of disengagement. The work isn't causing anxiety, but it's also not providing much energy or challenge.

Your First Step: How about consciously looking for at least one opportunity to add value in a new way? Perhaps you can volunteer to mentor a junior colleague or suggest a new process that will bring some efficiency? The proactive actions can bring you the sense of ownership and impact. 

So what is the takeaway - 

Your Sunday Evening is a Weekly Performance Review... With Yourself.

Sunday evening is a check-in time with yourself. Its a performance review about yourself. Instead of numbing this feeling you may like to take a walk inside of yourself by - 

1. naming the feeling. If you feel dread, then say I am dreading. 

2. get curious to understanding where it is coming from?

3. what can I do about it to feel one notch better.

4. get yourself a coach to help you think clearly and take actions for a lasting transformation

This shifts you from a passive victim of your circumstances to an active architect of your work life. The goal is to take the control of designing your week resulting in designing your life eventually. 

If you found this article helpful and you want to build a life you love. Get a Sateek Coach. Book your discovery call today - https://forms.gle/w3ZwEdozpaC3AWhf6