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What is Bare Minimum Mondays? -

Bare Minimum Mondays is a trend where people intentionally scale back their workload on the first day of the workweek. Instead of jumping into their full to-do list, they focus only on essential tasks.

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A gentle start - The idea behind Bare Minimum Mondays is to start the week gently. Mondays often come with a lot of pressure and expectation, which can increase a person’s stress levels. By easing into the week, it gives people time to transition back to work.

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Self-care -

On Bare Minimum Mondays, individuals prioritize their well-being over the usual hustle. They might even incorporate mindfulness practices, breaks, or light stretches throughout the day.

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Preventing overwhelm -

Mondays can often feel like an avalanche of emails, meetings, and projects. Bare Minimum Mondays aim to alleviate that overwhelm. By focusing on just the critical items, workers can avoid being bombarded.

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Boosting creativity -

When the pressure to be hyperproductive is removed, the mind has space to be more creative. Bare Minimum Mondays allow people to think outside the box, which offers opportunities for brainstorming and innovative thinking that usually get overlooked in a typical rush.

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"Sunday Scaries" -

Sunday evenings often bring a sense of dread for the workweek ahead. But Bare Minimum Mondays can eliminate or reduce this anxiety by lowering the stakes for the next day. Knowing Monday will be manageable can help people relax on Sundays.

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Reclaiming control -

Work can feel like an uncontrollable force, and by doing only the most important tasks on Mondays, people can reclaim their workdays and set their own pace instead of being dictated by deadlines or pressure.

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Less guilt, more productivity -

Many people feel guilty if they aren’t working full throttle every day. Bare Minimum Mondays challenge that mentality, showing that scaling back can still be productive. It gives permission to work smarter, not harder.

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Empowering introverts -

For introverts, Mondays can feel like a social onslaught with meetings and interactions. By scaling back their workload, introverts can protect their energy and prepare for more social demands later in the week.

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Restorative power -

The Bare Minimum Mondays trend also emphasizes the restorative power of slowing down. As the world continues to develop quickly, people must learn to work at a more sustainable pace.

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Flexibility -

This trend also encourages flexibility when it comes to the work schedule. After all, sticking to rigid, packed schedules can not only be stressful, but also incredibly draining.

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Mental health -

Mental health can often be compromised by the constant pressure to perform. By embracing a more relaxed Monday, people create space to manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health concerns.

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Perfectionism - Many people strive for perfectionism, which is one of the leading causes of burnout. Bare Minimum Mondays offer a break from that mindset, encouraging progress over perfection.

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Team morale -

When one person embraces this more relaxed lifestyle, it can have a ripple effect across employees. Leaders who support this practice may find that their teams are more energized and motivated, which fosters a culture of balance and well-being.

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Remote workers -

With the rise of remote work, many employees struggle even more to disconnect from their jobs. Bare Minimum Mondays can provide remote workers a structured yet more low-pressure way to ease into their week without feeling overwhelmed.

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Preventing resentment -

Feeling overworked can oftentimes lead to resentment, but doing less on a Monday can ensure that people aren’t starting their week feeling overwhelmed, which reduces the likelihood that they’ll grow resentful of their job or responsibilities.

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All industries -

Bare Minimum Mondays can work for almost any industry, from creative fields to corporate environments. Whether it’s used for brainstorming or completing small administrative tasks, this trend is adaptable across most professions. So, how can anyone adopt this lifestyle? Let’s take a look!

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Start with a mindset shift - Adopting Bare Minimum Mondays begins with a change in mindset. It’s important to understand that productivity isn't about doing everything at once. Focus on essential tasks without feeling guilty for slowing down, and allow yourself to redefine what a successful day looks like.

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Create a priority list -

Before the week begins, make a list of just the most essential tasks for Monday. Choose two or three high-priority items and let go of non-urgent work.

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Incorporate personal wellness - Use Bare Minimum Mondays to incorporate wellness practices, such as meditation, stretching, or journaling. Starting the day with a focus on mental and physical health creates a balanced routine and helps you approach work in a more relaxed way.

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Set realistic expectations -

Communicate with your team or manager about your approach to Mondays. Let them know you’ll be prioritizing key tasks but not overloading yourself. Setting these expectations ensures you won’t be burdened with unnecessary deadlines or last-minute meetings.

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Schedule fewer meetings -

If possible, avoid scheduling meetings on Mondays. Meetings can quickly eat up time and energy. Instead, use this day to focus on solo work, planning, or light brainstorming, which allows for a more peaceful and productive start to the week.

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Downtime -

Another way to follow this trend is to intentionally allocate downtime in your schedule on Monday. This could be for taking breaks, eating lunch mindfully, or just disconnecting for a short while.

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Embrace imperfection -

Adopting Bare Minimum Mondays means letting go of perfectionism. Try to understand that the goal isn’t to achieve everything on Monday but rather to set the foundation for a productive week. Embrace the idea of progress over perfection and reduce self-imposed pressure.

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Digital detox -

Use Monday mornings to ease into the digital workload with a slow digital detox. You can delay opening your inbox or checking messages until you’ve completed a few key tasks, so that you don’t feel overwhelmed by a flood of emails right out of the gate.

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Prepare the night before -

This step doesn’t need to be incredibly complex, but it does help. Every Sunday evening, try to prepare for how your Monday will play out by organizing your workspace, making a light to-do list, and even setting a relaxed morning routine.

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Celebrate small wins -

Always try to acknowledge and celebrate small accomplishments on Mondays. Whether you finish one important task or just manage to stay calm through the day, recognize that these small wins add up.

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Team leaders -

Leaders can adopt this trend to create a more balanced approach to work, since it fosters a healthier work culture that prioritizes long-term well-being and collective success.

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Long-term benefits -

Bare Minimum Mondays aren’t just about the short-term relief; they can have long-lasting effects on preventing burnout. By embracing this slow start to the week, workers cultivate habits and mentalities that protect their health and productivity for years to come.

Sources: (CNBC) (Business Insider) (Built In) (The Guardian) (Forbes) (Verywell Mind)

See also: Balancing work and family life—strategies for success

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