Do you feel like not going to work on Monday?

Dear sisters, it's another Monday morning. When the alarm clock shatters the stillness, have you ever felt that weight of resistance? It's as if every cell in your body is screaming: Just let me sleep for five more minutes, let the world wait.

For Black women, this "Monday Sickness" is often even more complex. We not only face the usual work pressures, but we often have to go the extra mile to prove ourselves, maintain an impeccable professional image in the workplace, and contend with implicit and explicit biases. When Sunday night anxiety strikes, it's not just a weariness of work, but also the exhaustion of yet another round of "battle."

But dear ones, let's start today with five gentle yet powerful tips to redefine our Mondays:

Tip 1: Brighten Sunday Night with Ritual

Sunday nights don't have to be a place of anxiety. Create a personal "recharge ritual" for yourself—perhaps meticulously applying a shea butter-scented body lotion, meticulously knitting or styling your glueless lace wigs made from Burmese curly bundles, and blasting Chloé x Halle music. Or, take 15 minutes to write down three small goals for the week. It's not about what you accomplish, but about this moment being completely yours. When we regain a sense of control on Sunday night, Monday's arrival isn't a threat, but the beginning of a new journey.

Tip 2: Arm Yourself with "Our Colors"

On Monday morning, open your closet and consciously choose colors and accessories that empower you. Whether it's vibrant yellow, calming deep blue, culturally significant African prints, or beloved gold earrings and headpieces, let each accessory become your armor. When we look in the mirror and see ourselves radiant and rooted in our culture, we remember: I'm not just an employee, I'm a woman with a rich heritage.

Tip 3: Set a "Non-Negotiable" Lunch Break

On Monday, resolutely dedicate your lunch break to yourself. It's not a luxury, it's a necessity. Use these precious 60 minutes to do something truly nourishing to your soul—perhaps calling a trusted sister, taking a walk in the sunshine, or simply being. In a world constantly demanding we "keep giving," we have the right to set boundaries for ourselves and to say: This moment is just for me.

Tip 4: Create Your Own "Energy Playlist"

Create your "Monday Conqueror" playlist. Let Beyoncé's "BREAK MY SOUL" awaken your fighting spirit, let Lizzo's "Good As Hell" remind you of your own perfection, and let Megan Thee Stallion's lyrics bring a smile to your face. Put on your headphones on your commute or during breaks at work, and let these sounds, the music that tells our stories, become your most intimate source of energy.

Tip 5: End the Day with Gratitude and Forward-Looking Ahead

After get off work, take five minutes to journal. Write down a moment you were proud of today—perhaps the way you handled a tough problem gracefully, the recognition of your creativity, or simply the inner peace you maintained today. Also, write down a small hope for next week—a dinner with friends, a quiet evening spent reading. This reminds us that work is only part of life, not the whole.

Tip 6: Build Your "Sisterhood"

We know that community and sisterhood are our source of strength. Monday morning's commute shouldn't be a lonely ordeal, but a moment of connection. Mark a sacred "power call" on your Monday calendar—perhaps a 15-minute video call or phone call during your lunch break—with a trusted sister. Instead of complaining, share your "small goals" for the week and say to each other, "I see your hard work, and you can do it."

This support group can be small and focused: 3-5 sisters who understand your journey. In challenging times, a simple "I get it" speaks volumes. We don't have to bear all the pressures alone; a network of mutual support can sustain even the most vulnerable moments.

Tip 7: Practice "micro-activism" and find a sense of purpose in your work

Sometimes, the feeling of powerlessness on Monday stems from feeling like an insignificant cog in a larger system. Try connecting your work to a larger social mission and practice daily "micro-activism."

It could be consciously citing the contributions of a Black female colleague in a meeting; it could be proactively mentoring a young woman of color entering the workforce; or it could be ensuring cultural inclusion and diversity within the projects you oversee. When you realize that your work, even in a small way, contributes to a more welcoming and equitable environment for our community, your daily work takes on deeper meaning. This sense of purpose, of "paving the way for those you support," is one of the most powerful weapons against burnout.

Tip 8: Create a Monday Night Reset Ritual

We prepare extensively for Monday mornings, but often overlook the importance of Monday night. After a busy day, we need a powerful ritual to clear our minds and avoid carrying fatigue into the new week.

Create a Monday Night Reset Ritual:

Physical Reset: Upon returning home, change out of your work clothes and put on your most comfortable loungewear. This acts as a powerful mental reminder that "work mode is off."

Mental Reset: Light a cedar or sandalwood candle and engage in 15 minutes of "emotional catharsis writing," pouring out the day's chaos onto paper. Then, close the notebook and symbolically say, "That's it."

Sensory Reset: Prepare a comforting dinner filled with soul food and play relaxing jazz or Afrobeats, filling the room with your own rhythm and atmosphere.

This ritual can help you draw a line in the sand and remind yourself that work is just part of life, and you have the absolute right to enjoy life after get off work.

Dar sisters, these eight tips—from external preparation to internal development, from personal nourishment to community support—together constitute our own guide to "survive and thrive." Remember, self-care is not a luxury, but a revolutionary act. When we prioritize our own happiness and inner peace, we not only transform our Mondays but also declare to the world that we deserve tenderness, and that tenderness begins with ourselves.

Embrace your Mondays with this complete and profound self-care. You have the power to transform the start of the week from a forced race to a graceful entrance.