How I add Sabbath & hygge into my Sunday
I have always been a Sunday person.
I believe that every day has a theme. Even if you have not recognized that yet, I bet you do things differently on certain days of the week which is mostly on autopilot, or maybe you also have an inkling towards that one day of the week that is uniquely YOURS.
Over the years I have seen a pattern between my work colleagues and myself and it goes something like this:
Friday– everyone celebrates the end of the workweek.
Saturday– everyone spends time on the fun stuff they want to do or are obliged to do.
Sunday– all spend one-half oversleeping or overeating and then the rest of the day secretly crying for the end of the holiday.
Monday– the week starts again for everybody but with a feeling of days passing one by.
Tuesday– the work starts to feel kind of normal for all.
Wednesday– each one gets absorbed in the work, back-to-back meetings & some late-night excels.
Thursday– everyone gets excited again as tomorrow is Friday.
Based on these everyday themes I saw in everyone around me, I always knew that that day was definitely a Sunday. I mean, I was not a Friday person and definitely not a Saturday person and maybe I was a bit of a Monday person but Sunday — oh my God, I just loved my Sundays.
I personally found so many issues with this pattern. I was always annoyed on Sunday as the feeling of “damn the holiday is over, pack your bags for the school again” would start and the funny thing was that I actually loved going office and never really had Monday blues but Sunday still became dark and dreadful day.
Something had to change!
Everyone needs that one day when they feel extremely relaxed and revamped. And so did I. I needed one day to just be me- my goofy yet quiet self where I can put on a face mask and read till my heart’s desire. I love my family and friends but in order to love them unconditionally, I needed to be a better version of myself. I needed to shed the stress I had acquired during the week so that I can be that person who is ready to give. So, I asked myself, what is that one day when the office people are tired from last night’s parties, friends are wrapped up in their own stuff, so no one is really around to disturb my peace? Of course, you know what day is that.
I made some changes and boy they made me fall in love with this beautiful manmade calendar day- Sunday.
Make The Sunday Evening Sacred
This was the first change and it worked like magic. No one was allowed in my life during this time and I mean it, no one. I used that time for a pedicure, face scrub, long showers, to clean my room, set the goals for the coming week, and finally relax with a book, candles, ghazals.
One side effect that came with this change- I would get really cranky if someone would pay us a visit on Sunday or if I was forced to attend some event or go out for any reason. I really started loving my me-time and whoever dared disturb me was slowly appearing on my bad human list.
Have The Sunday Breakfast Like Royalty
I was blown away by their breakfast affair. The table would have a spread A few years ago, I went to Germany. I was blown away by their breakfast affair. The table would have a spread of cheese, sliced apples, strawberries, blueberries, cherry tomatoes, some meat slices, German Brotchen, Wurst spread, some leaves, and unlimited tea. This was a kings’ breakfast and I felt royal every day. (I do sometimes wonder if my ancestors were royal as I have this weird royal spoilt princess outlook from time to time. Well, if I was then someone better come and give me some royalty.)
I really wanted to try this when I went back to India. I woke up one day and kept what seemed like the entire fridge on our small dining table — my mom kinda freaked out with the sight on the table and after a couple of times, it also felt like it was too much chore after eating. This whole thing turned out to be so difficult: the television noise, family chatter, neighborhood’s chatters, and just nonavailability of those food items plus who has time like that when you are running to work on metro’s every day.
So, I kept this sacred treat for Sundays. I decided that on Sunday, I will treat myself to some good-looking spread.
I started to just make my own plate of toast, hummus, some Indian cheese, tomatoes, apples, and maybe some grapes and my chai with a big dash of happiness. I loved this time. So now, I not only had a beautiful morning ritual but also a great calming evening to myself. Tell me what’s not to love about this day? And yes, of course, I was pumped up for work the next Monday as I had really reset my gears.
The Current Life
This is one thing I still do from time to time after moving to New York. One thing I always wanted was to have this as a family affair. You know, a Sunday breakfast or brunch with my husband and kids. Well, my husband is not a breakfast person & for him Sunday is a sacred sabbath day of one so I am still doing the self-plate and though loving it thoroughly, deep down I am waiting to make this a Pawar-Bechtel family tradition: A Loving Sunday.
I love my cozy calming mornings with Sunday-Specials and relaxed evenings with some simple food, symphony, candles, the love of my life around me, and some novels.
I am generally a big fan of introducing hygge into my everyday life and this is the best hygge Sunday for my body and soul. I hope by reading this, you also get inspired and try to find some quiet yet spark in your everyday life. Please find something, anything that gives you a deep calm, and add some hygge into your daily life.