Do you dread going back to work on Mondays?

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Do you feel overwhelmed by the tasks and deadlines that await you? If so, you are not alone. Many people experience the Sunday scaries, a term that describes the anxiety and stress that comes with the end of the weekend and the start of a new workweek.

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But what if there was a way to ease into your week without feeling pressured and stressed?

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What if you could permit yourself to do only the essential work on Mondays and leave the rest for later?

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That’s the idea behind Bare Minimum Mondays, a new trend gaining popularity on TikTok and among workers burned out by the pandemic.

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What are Bare Minimum Mondays?

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BareMinimum Mondays is a trend where employees do only the essential work on Mondays and start their day later after taking care of themselves in the morning.

The term was coined by Marisa Jo, who shared how this practice liberated her from the pressure of productivity and output. According to Jo, a Bare Minimum Monday involves:

•Spending the first 2 hours of te day on “phone- and work-free” activities that prepare her for a good week, such as running errands, working on a creative project, resting, or exercising. to manage your energy and workload better

•Working for about 3 hours on urgent, essential, or both tasks and postponing everything else until Tuesday — unless she feels motivated to continue.

What are the benefits of Bare Minimum Mondays?

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Bare Minimum Mondays are not about being lazy or irresponsible. They are about protecting your mental health and well-being and reducing work-related stress and burnout.

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By giving yourself some breathing room on Mondays, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed and anxious and feel more relaxed and motivated for the rest of the week.

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Some of the benefits of Bare Minimum Mondays are:

• You can use your extra time on Monday mornings to do things that energise you, such as hobbies,     exercise, meditation, or spending time with loved ones.

• You can focus on the most critical and urgent tasks on Monday afternoons and avoid getting distracted by less relevant or less pressing matters.
• You can set yourself up for a more productive and efficient week by clearing out some admin work or emails that might otherwise pile up.

• You can prevent overworking or burning out by respecting your limits and boundaries.

What are some tips for doing the bare minimum Mondays?

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Bare Minimum Mondays are only for some. Some people might prefer to start their week strong and get things done early, while others might have jobs or responsibilities that don’t allow them to slack off on Mondays. However, if you want to try this practice, here are some tips to make it work for you:

• Plan. Know your weekly priorities and deadlines, and schedule your tasks accordingly. Don’t leave anything important or urgent for Monday if you can avoid it.

• Communicate with your boss and colleagues. Let them know what you are doing and why, and how it will benefit your work performance in the long run. Be transparent about your availability and expectations on Mondays, and don’t make promises you can’t keep.

• Be flexible and adaptable. Sometimes things might require your attention or action on Monday, even if they are not part of your minimum plan. Be ready to adjust your schedule or priorities if needed, and don’t let yourself feel guilty or stressed about it.

• Be consistent and intentional. Don’t use Bare Minimum Mondays as an excuse to procrastinate or avoid work altogether. Use them to manage your energy and workload better and improve your mental health and well-being.
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Conclusion

Bare Minimum Mondays are a new trend that aims to help workers cope with the stress and anxiety of starting a new workweek.

By doing only the essential work on Mondays and using the extra time for self-care and personal projects, workers can feel more relaxed and motivated for the rest of the week. However, this practice is only for some, requiring planning, communication, flexibility, and consistency to make it work.

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