Tonight, as I was scrolling through my social media feed, I came across a post about the Sunday Scaries… and their new cousin, the Back to School Scaries. I was appalled by the subsequent comments by teachers that feed into all the negative ideals that this phenomenon entails. It wasn’t the fact that teachers were writing about their feelings of nervousness, inadequacy, depression, and anxiety about having to go back to work after the weekend or summer vacation that was shocking to me. It was the celebratory presentation of the term – complete with cute little clipart to give each feeling a character. Yes, I know many teachers struggle with their mental health. I myself have taken time off work to rest, reset, and focus on myself. What bothers me about the Sunday Scaries posts I have seen on social media is that they do not provide any tangible help, resources or advice for educators who are truly struggling. To me, they are posts to complain and commiserate with others who feel the same way.
I first heard about the concept of the “Sunday Scaries” through social media. And because of social media sites, it has become an all too familiar term for many teachers. As the posts and reels suggest, Sunday evening approaches, and with it an overwhelming sense of anxiety and dread sets in, marking the end of the weekend and the impending return to the classroom. Social media starts to flood with teacher claiming to have the Sunday Scaries for likes, comments, and in many cases, money. Not cool.
Are there Sunday nights when I wish I didn’t have to get up the next morning? Are there Sundays when I would love to call in a substitute for the next day? Are there Sunday’s when I think about how I am going to deal with a specific student and his/her behaviour the next day? Absolutely. Do I need a social media influencer to diagnose me with a cutesy name and icon to sell his/her newest t-shirt or work/life balance course. NO THANK YOU. It’s time to reconsider this narrative and explore alternative perspectives that promote teacher well-being and work-life balance.
I do advocate for teachers and their mental health. What I do not advocate is the narrative going around social media, and the subsequent acceptance of the fact by many teachers, that educators are so distraught over returning to their classroom that they turn to social media to make posts about suffering from the Sunday Scaries. As well, with the birth of their “cousin” for the back to school season is just irresponsible and sends the wrong message to teachers, especially young and newly hired teachers, that this is the new normal for educators everywhere. It’s as if some TikTok/ Instagram teacher told you that if you aren’t scared about going back to work on Monday then there must be something wrong with you. I’m here to tell you that there is nothing wrong with you — but that is the message social media influencers are sending out there about the so-called Sunday Scaries.
Quite simply put, the Sunday Scaries phenomenon is rooted in the anticipation of the workweek ahead, often causing stress and anxiety. This narrative can negatively impact teacher mental health and overall job satisfaction. Educators who struggle with mental health issues because of experiences on the job or in their schools do not choose which day of the week their anxiety or depression kicks in. Constantly dreading the upcoming week can lead to burnout and decreased motivation among teachers. This affects the quality of teaching and ultimately impact students’ learning experiences. Teachers feeling this way frequently over time are in need of professional assistance to help them feel good about themselves and their jobs as teachers, should they choose to remain in the profession. Teachers struggling with their mental health are not the ones showing up on Sunday nights on various apps to talk about their scaries for the upcoming week.
Instead of dwelling on the negative, we educators benefit from focusing on the positive aspects of our profession. Highlighting successful teaching moments, positive student interactions, and opportunities for professional growth can help shift the perspective. Interacting with social media posts, leaving comments on Sunday Scaries posts, feeding into the mob mentality, and following social media influencers who are, quite possibly, making money off their Sunday Scaries merchandise, posts, links, etc. is doing nothing to help your mental health or attitude as you approach another day/ week in your classroom.
Implementing effective planning and time-management strategies can help alleviate any anxiety or self doubt you may have on Sunday or before school begins for another year. Breaking tasks into manageable chunks throughout the week can reduce the pressure of last-minute preparations. Encourage yourself to prioritize self-care and leisure activities on weekends so you can create a healthier work-life balance. Engage in hobbies, spend time with loved ones, and practice relaxation techniques that can contribute to your overall well-being. Speak to your loved ones. Speak to your teacher friends. Speak to your administration if you feel comfortable doing so. Speak to your doctor. Do all of the above but please stop reading, commenting, and engaging in social media posts and dialogues that focus on the negative instead of the positive.
Most importantly, remember the reason why you started teaching in the first place. You are there because you are qualified, capable, and because you strongly believe you make a difference each and every day! Have you reached a crossroads in your life where your career goals and aspirations have changed? That could be your cue to try something new – whether in the education system or elsewhere. No matter what you do, strive to remain positive, optimistic, and if you need a little help along the way, reach out for a helping hand. Don’t convince yourself that social media or influencers that throw out the newest catch phrase will be there to help you through the tough times. Do what you need to do to alleviate the nervousness, inadequacy, depression, and anxiety and find the joy you deserve to have and experience in your daily life.
Have a great day!
The post Rethinking the “Sunday Scaries” Narrative: A New Approach to Teacher Well-Being appeared first on I Heart Grade 3.
