Monday Anxiety: Why Does the Week Start Like This?

Does anyone else wake up on Monday and instantly feel like they’re in the opening credits of a horror movie? The alarm goes off, your brain screams, “nooope,” and suddenly the coffee maker becomes your only hope for survival. Welcome to Monday Anxiety—the boss battle of the week that none of us asked for.

Why Mondays Hit Different

Mondays carry this weird mix of dread and responsibility. All weekend long, we’re free agents—lounging, snacking, maybe pretending laundry doesn’t exist. Then boom, Monday shows up like a rude landlord collecting rent. It’s no wonder anxiety levels spike when we’re forced to shift from “soft life” Sunday mode to “please don’t fire me” Monday mode.

Signs You’ve Got Monday Anxiety

• You check your email before your eyes are even fully open.

• You spend the first 20 minutes of your shower giving yourself a TED Talk about how you’re totally fine and capable (spoiler: you are).

• You suddenly think of all the tasks you avoided on Friday like they’re ghosting you back.

How to Calm the Monday Scaries

1. Sunday Setup: Prep your clothes, meals, or even your to-do list ahead of time. Future You will send a thank-you note.

2. Small Wins First: Don’t tackle the hardest task at 8 AM. Ease in with something simple so your brain feels accomplished before coffee #2.

3. Ritual of Joy: Add one thing to Monday that you actually look forward to—a fancy latte, your favorite playlist, or texting your “I hate Monday too” buddy.

The Bottom Line

Monday anxiety doesn’t mean you’re weak—it means you’re human. Our brains love comfort and consistency, and Mondays yank that blanket right off. But with a little prep and some self-compassion, we can all survive the worst day of the week—and maybe even trick ourselves into liking it (okay, let’s not get carried away).

- Always anxious 🤍