Sunday scaries
anxiety felt when the weekend is almost over
What does Sunday scaries mean?
Sunday scaries refers to a feeling of anxiety or sadness one may feel when the weekend is almost over, either because the work/school week is about to begin, there is no more time for fun or relaxing weekend activities, or both.
Examples of Sunday scaries
I don’t work any more (my husband still does) but even so I always get the Sunday scaries and feel that sense of dread. I guess years of school and working got it really set in me. Maybe when my husband retires it’ll ease but who knows.
—@Jeffina78, Reddit, 11 Feb. 2024
I think we should skip the Sunday scaries. I low-key love a good Sunday, whether I allow myself to be super lazy and totally consumed with doom scrolling or I end up checking some boring errands off my list. Either way, Sunday is like my restart button for the week.
—While the Sunday scaries are common, people should keep an eye on how they’re coping come the end of the weekend. “Use healthy, adaptive ways to self-soothe when you’re anxious and have the scaries,” Cooperman says.
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Where does Sunday scaries come from?
Sunday scaries has been in use with this meaning since at least the late 2000s, but its origins are as yet unknown.
… recently, my girlfriend casually dropped the phrase “Sunday scaries” into a conversation. Not wanting to feel dumb, I backed my way into asking her what it meant. Apparently, the phrase is a reference to that doomed feeling some people get on Sunday nights. The dread of another work week, another commute, another passive-aggressive co-worker …
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How is Sunday scaries used?
Sunday scaries is usually preceded by the in conversation and in print, and scaries is usually uncapitalized. Exceptions can be found, however.
Feeling those Sunday scaries? How about heading outside and grabbing some fresh air?
—Ward off Sunday scaries with Work Secrets to Cure Your Monday Blahs!
—… putting off homework until Friday, then Saturday, then Sunday and never learning from our mistakes; turning every weekend into a whirlwind of assignments and Sunday Scaries.
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