Sunday- Is it a Void or a Scare

Yesterday, while going through some old memories as I was writing, a thought caught my attention. Back in 2012, I was working in a consulting company where I was hiring candidates for international BPO companies, especially for the US shift. Those Sunday afternoons — especially after 4 PM — I would start feeling stressed and anxious. My body and mind would slowly move into pressure mode.

And now, sometimes when my whole week ends in a busy schedule, and the weekend arrives, especially on Sunday evening, I feel bored — like I have nothing to do, no wish, no clear purpose.

Are you able to notice something? Both days are Sundays, but both Sundays bring completely different feelings.

In general, humans are said to have two faces — one for their loved ones and another for the rest of the world. Then I realised, Sunday also has two faces: Sunday Blues (or Sunday Scaries) and Sunday Neurosis. Maybe you have heard these terms. If not, let me share what I experienced first — and then what I later understood.

What I was experiencing back then, while hiring for BPOs, was Sunday Blues or Sunday Scaries. It was the time when I felt scared, anxious, and under constant stress. The reason behind these feelings was simple yet difficult — I was not enjoying my work because that job did not align with who I am.

I never truly wanted to work in the BPO industry. Yet I was hiring young girls and women for night shifts. Somewhere deep inside, my values did not align with my work. And when your values don’t align with your profession, going back to work starts to feel like a burden. Those six working days created continuous pressure within me.

I would feel chest tightness, headaches, a racing heart, and difficulty falling asleep because my brain would get stuck in “alert mode.” It felt like I couldn’t enjoy Sunday because the shadow of Monday had already arrived. Slowly, Sunday evenings became scary for me.

Quick Reflection

1. What exactly am I afraid of about Monday?
2. Is it the workload… or something deeper?
3. Does my current work align with my values?

Don’t filter. Just write.

Now, fast forward to the present. My weekends are busy — finishing my work, managing household responsibilities, handling kids and their classes, and everything else. But on Sunday, everything slows down so much that sometimes I feel bored and empty. Thoughts like “What should I do now?” arise in my mind. Resting sometimes feels unproductive to me, and Sunday begins to feel unproductive rather than relaxing. I feel a strange void within.

Psychologist Viktor Frankl once called this feeling the “Existential Vacuum,” also known as Sunday Neurosis. I realised that this feeling arises when non-work time starts to feel like a loss of identity. Moving from a minute-by-minute weekday schedule to a completely “blank” Sunday can create a psychological vacuum that feels uncomfortable instead of peaceful. Perhaps the lack of personal hobbies or internal fulfilment adds to this discomfort.

I feel low energy, confusion, and restlessness because there is no specific task to focus on. I end up binge-watching, doom-scrolling, checking emails, or doing “fake work” just to escape the feeling of being unproductive.

Quick reflection:

1. Who am I when I am not working?
2. What activities make me lose track of time?
3. If productivity didn’t define me, what would?

Notice what feels uncomfortable — that’s where clarity begins.

If, after reading this, you feel that you relate to either of these experiences, here are some practical solutions you can try.

For Sunday Scaries or Sunday Blues:

1. Do a “brain dump” — write your Monday to-do list on Saturday afternoon. This helps move your stress from your mind onto paper.
2. Set a no-email boundary to prevent yourself from staying in work mode and allow proper mental recovery before the week begins.
3. Plan a small Monday morning treat for yourself. This shifts your brain from anxiety to anticipation.
4. Give your body physical relaxation on Sunday night — take a warm bath followed by breath-work. This signals to your nervous system that you are safe and it is okay to sleep.

For Sunday Neurosis:

1. Create a Sunday mission — a hobby that requires focus and skill, meet friends, or work on a creative project that gives meaning beyond productivity.
2. Plan your Sunday with a gentle structure, similar to weekdays but without stress.
3. Practice sitting with quietness and truly listening to your own thoughts rather than escaping them.

Whether you spend your Sunday fighting an existential void or shivering under the shadow of the Sunday Scaries, the root solution remains the same: intentionality.

Sunday neurosis happens when we let the day “happen to us” rather than consciously deciding how to use it. If you feel empty, intentionally fill your day with meaning that isn’t tied to a paycheck. If you feel anxious, intentionally create boundaries that protect your peace from Monday’s reach.

By choosing how we spend our time — and how we talk to ourselves about that time — we can slowly turn Sunday from a day of dread into a day of true restoration.

Kabhi kabhi Sunday bas ek signal hota hai — ki andar kuch dhyaan maang raha hai.
If you are ready to listen to that inner voice, reach out to me. Let’s turn confusion into clarity together. DM me on Instagram or on WhatsApp.

💡 Your Turn!

The best way to break the cycle of Sunday neurosis is to build a ritual that makes the day uniquely yours.

What is your favourite Sunday ritual that helps you stay grounded? Is it a specific morning walk, a “no-screens” policy, or a favourite meal?

Share your thoughts in the comments below. Let’s help each other turn “Sunday Neurosis” into “Sunday Nirvana.”