Saturdays used to be my favorite days. That feeling of freedom as the first full day off stretched ahead, with another one to follow before the work week began again. Don’t get me wrong, I never dreaded work. On the contrary, I usually enjoyed my work and was always fortunate enough to be surrounded by great colleagues.

But there were times, perhaps like many of you, when the mere thought of Monday morning would send my stress levels soaring. Knowing that there were deadlines looming, knowing that my inbox would fill up within minutes of logging in… it was enough to cast a shadow over even the sunniest Sunday afternoon.

And I realized something: living for the weekend isn’t enough.

We spend the majority of our lives working. If those weekdays are filled with stress, dread, and exhaustion, then we’re missing out on a huge chunk of our precious time on this planet.

The week, your work, your life – it should all be enjoyed, not just endured.

But how do we get there? How do we escape the “Sunday Scaries” and embrace the weekdays with the same enthusiasm we have for the weekend?

It starts with recognizing that we have a choice. We can choose to continue the cycle of burnout and weekend recovery, or we can choose to create a more sustainable and fulfilling way of working and living.

Here are a few key shifts that helped me reclaim my weekdays:

1. Prioritize Your Well-being:

This might seem obvious, but it’s often the first thing to go out the window when deadlines loom and pressure mounts. But here’s the thing: when you prioritize your health – physical, mental, and emotional – you actually become more productive, not less.

This means:

• Setting boundaries: Learning to say “no” to requests that drain your energy or don’t align with your priorities.
• Taking breaks: Stepping away from your work throughout the day to recharge and refocus.
• Prioritizing sleep: Getting enough rest to allow your mind and body to recover.
• Making time for movement and exercise: Moving your body regularly to boost your energy and mood.
• Nourishing yourself with healthy food: Fueling your body with the nutrients it needs to thrive.

2. Recognize that Work Will Never End:

This was a game-changer for me. Once I truly accepted that there will always be more to do, more emails to answer, more projects to complete, I was able to release the pressure of needing to get it all done right now.

This doesn’t mean becoming complacent or neglecting your responsibilities. It means setting realistic expectations, prioritizing tasks effectively, and learning to let go of the need for perfection.

For me, this meant literally dropping the pen at 7pm at the latest. No more late nights hunched over my laptop, sacrificing sleep and well-being in the pursuit of an elusive “empty inbox.”

3. Cultivate a Mindset of Non-Attachment:

This is where the principles of non-duality come in. Non-attachment doesn’t mean not caring about your work or your goals. It means releasing the need to control the outcome and embracing the uncertainty inherent in life.

When we’re attached to specific outcomes, we set ourselves up for disappointment and frustration. But when we learn to detach, we free ourselves to be present, to adapt to change, and to find joy in the journey, regardless of the destination.

This is a practice, not a destination. It takes time and conscious effort to cultivate non-attachment, but the rewards are immeasurable. When we release the need to control, we open ourselves to new possibilities, deeper connections, and a greater sense of peace and fulfillment.

So, what’s preventing you from achieving this?

What beliefs, habits, or fears are holding you back from reclaiming your weekdays and creating a more fulfilling and sustainable way of working and living?

Perhaps it’s the fear of failure, the pressure to constantly prove yourself, or the belief that busyness equals success.

Whatever it is, know that you have the power to change it. You have the power to un-do the limitations of your thinking and embrace a new way of being – one that prioritizes your well-being, honors your boundaries, and allows you to thrive, not just survive.

Take a moment to reflect:

What beliefs or fears are holding you back from embracing uncertainty and non-attachment?

What brings you joy and fulfillment outside of work? How can you bring more of that into your weekdays?

What boundaries do you need to set to protect your time and energy?

Connect with me on LinkedIn.