"Sunday resets" are just another productivity trap
Since I got a firsthand taste of capitalism and started working to become independent, Sundays have become the most important day for me. It’s the one day of the week when I never make commitments with others and under no circumstances do I work—not even on freelance projects.
I became this strict because the beginning of my work life was rough. I spent over an hour commuting every day, worked eight-hour shifts, took five-hour classes on Saturdays (plus study and homework time), cooked almost daily, went grocery shopping weekly, managed my generalized anxiety disorder, and kept my apartment clean. Sunday was basically the only free day I had, and the only thing keeping me sane.
My friends used to complain about why I wouldn’t go out with them on Saturday nights, but by 10 PM, I was on the verge of passing out. Needless to say, I also respected my sleep a lot—otherwise, it would’ve been impossible to keep up with everything I was doing back then.
Dedicating Sundays exclusively to myself and my well-being has been a tradition for years now. And I love it.
What do I do? Whatever the hell I want. There’s never a plan, no responsibilities, no chores, no Sunday reset (eeewwww)1; doing absolutely nothing is often the plan, and it’s a damn good one to reset the mind.
So what do I end up doing? Sometimes I stay in bed until noon, doomscrolling or playing something on my handheld console. I have a late breakfast. I watch one or several movies. I cook a recipe I feel like trying. I go out to eat, alone or with company. I take a walk in the park. I go grocery shopping, more for fun than out of necessity. I spend the afternoon sitting in a café. I play video games for 8+ hours. I read. I shower if I feel like it, and if I don’t, I won’t. I go to the movies. I play with my cats. I write, at any hour of the day.
Basically: I do what I want, when I want.
I think it’s important to have a day where the only rule is that there are no rules. At least for me, the rest of the week tends to be very rigid. I have a job that requires me to stick to a schedule. I have to eat at a specific time because that’s the only window I have for it. I have to clean when I get the chance, because there won’t be another opportunity. I visit my family on a set day because that’s when we can all meet.
My routines aren’t 100% unbreakable, thanks to remote work, and I allow myself flexibility for special occasions or when life just happens2. But I try to stick to a schedule to ensure I get everything done, and because the people around me also have routines to follow—we’ve found a way to make it all work.
The funny thing is that having a no-rules day is, in itself, a commitment. It sounds easy, but turning off my brain and resisting the urge to be productive is a challenge. Not to mention the social obligations that tend to pop up unannounced.
- A relative came to visit from another city? Sorry, if I’m not in the mood, I won’t see them today.
- Got invited to a party or birthday? I’ll send a message or call to say happy birthday, but if I don’t feel like going, I won’t.
- Ran out of dish soap? The dishes will stay dirty until Monday.
- No clean underwear? Guess I’m doing laundry first thing in the morning.
These are just examples. Of course, there will always be major events or celebrations I do want to attend. But one of the perks of Sundays is that nobody really wants to make plans, so I rarely miss out on anything.
I feel like there are way too many people online trying to convince us that Sundays are the perfect day to catch up on everything we didn’t do from Monday to Saturday because we were too busy “producing.” But that’s just not my vibe. Six days a week should be more than enough to meet society’s demands and take care of myself. Having one rule-free day is just another way to push back against that productivity-obsessed mindset.
Instead of using your Sunday to make up for what you didn’t do during the week because society asked too much of you, maybe just work less and do that thing they tell you to do on Sundays.3 Or better yet—do nothing.
Anyway. I was really craving an IHOP breakfast sampler today, but I was way too lazy to go out, so I made it at home. It was a good Sunday.
Thanks for reading.
No shade—if your ideal Sunday is the same routine all those productivity influencers preach on social media, that’s cool. This is just my opinion.↩
There are things you can say no to.↩
Of course, I’m speaking from a place of privilege, and I’m aware that some people simply can’t. This is more for those who could but have been sold the idea of productivity so hard that they’ve bought into the narrative of always having to do something to “grow” or “make progress.”↩