The Sunday Scaries :: 3 Tips On How To Manage Them
It’s Sunday evening about 6ish. And I am done. Simply done. Over it. Overs stimulated. Over touched. Want to be left alone!
If I hear my name one more time my head may start spinning. And there it goes “mama”! I try not to lose my cool. But seriously if this child asks me one more math question….’ what’s 47 × 93? Sis! Do I look like a calculator? But I just smile and get the answer.
Then there is the husband sitting on the sofa watching his game ‘Bae, if you don’t mind can you do XYZ….’ I do mind. But I do it.
My mind is racing trying to make sure I have taken care of everything we need for the week. Do I have stuff for lunches? Do I have stuff for whatever made up holiday they have at school this week? The answer is no.
Add that to my to-do list.
Do I have what I need to be successful at work this week?
Are meals prepped?
What’s on hubby’s calendar this week?
Does he have what he needs?
Is the house in order or at least decent?
If I fold this damn blanket one more time…
Why do I even have a decorative blanket?
If I say pick this or that up one more time, it’s going in the trash!
Now the school emails…. they need items donated for a nacho bar.
I want nachos…. but I also want to be snatched. Decisions….if I can’t have them, do they really need them? Shouldn’t they want to be snatched too?
Now I gotta go to the store tomorrow…. ugh!
I know! I can go hide in the bathroom to escape these people I love….
Judge me if you want…. but you definitely cannot say you don’t relate.
As moms we have all been here. I call it the Sunday Scaries.
We have spent the weekend spending family time, cooking, cleaning, preparing for the week ahead and we are mentally and sometimes physically done. I am being very honest when I say I don’t know how to escape the Sunday Scaries. But I do have a few tips to help cope. And I warn, they may not be the most responsible thing to do, but neither is throwing toys in the middle of the street because no one will pick them up.
Quit
Yep! Do nothing. Just stop. Sit down and regain your composure. The clothes, the mess, the to-do lists will all still be there. But there is no need for you to go crazy trying to do it all. When the Scaries hit me, I take that as a sign to stop. I go hide in the bathroom to hopefully get a moment of silence and take a few deep breaths to center myself. Take a relaxing shower, scroll on social media, read, whatever you do to relax. Just be still.
Talk It Out
The Sunday Scaries hit me the hardest when the week ahead is busy. I am a planner. I require Plan A, B and sometimes C. So busy weeks when everyone has something going on really throw me for a loop sometimes. I have found that it is best to talk my plans out with someone. Usually my husband. While I am sure he does not get why I need so many plans, he will help me figure out the best course of action. Or he will show me where he can take some things off of my plate, and for that I am always thankful. I also have a bestie and a mom that will listen to all of my plans and help me figure out what is important and what is unnecessary. Because let’s be honest, I can be extra sometimes. Having a good, sensible sounding board is always useful in life, whether you are dealing with the Sunday Scaries or life in general.
Drink
Now I warned you that all of my tips would not be the most responsible! But sometimes this is the best way to calm yourself. Whether it be wine, tea, water, or tequila, it will all relax you. Sip, breathe, and relax. It is all about getting back to your normal self and sometimes that requires a drink. But, if drinking is not your thing, find what is. Maybe it’s a certain snack you indulge in. Keep a stash hidden in the house somewhere for nights when the Scaries hit. Whatever it is, it should relax you.
I will be honest, sometimes I have to do a combination of these three tips and sometimes I require all three.
I have come to realize that I cannot go to bed with the Sunday Scaries, because I will wake up Monday with them and then my week is already trashed before it begins. And to be fair to Sunday, the Scaries can hit any day of the week. It’s just that mine usually hit on a Sunday. No matter when the hit, just remember that you are human, and you can only do so much. Do what you can and leave it at that.
