NatNews

As Semisonic poetically reminds us, “every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end”—and this includes the cyclical start of a new week after an anticipated weekend draws to a close.

For many individuals, the onset of the “Sunday scaries” settle in as Monday continues to get closer, often exhibiting itself in the form anxiety about returning to the upcoming week, which is potentially filled with various work and adulting responsibilities that feel heavy upon one’s shoulders.

Recent research has shown that more than 80 percent of Americans experience the Sunday scaries—with particularly high levels of such anxious feelings for individuals within business/finance, healthcare, and education—which can result in effects such as loss of sleep, physical impacts (e.g., headaches and upset stomachs), increased irritability, and a lack of motivation.

Catherine Stautz, a senior at Baylor University, said she tends to feel anxiety and stress on Sundays as she begins to think of all of the responsibilities she has in the upcoming week, causing her to overwhelm herself by overthinking, even when she knows she can handle what’s ahead.

“I think the main thing that makes me feel this way is the anxiety from giving myself unrealistic tasks to complete in a short amount of time,” she said. “Anxiety is something I struggle with on a day-to-day basis, but there is beauty in suffering from it, too. Anxiety teaches you to have greater faith and trust in Christ and learn skills on how to manage stressful situations in the future. I think we have to see it as a superpower and learn ways to use it to our advantage, instead of letting it take over us.”

Dallas resident and school counselor Liz Orozco said she also experiences the Sunday scaries in the form of anxiety and stress, not only for what is to come but also what was left incomplete that will need to be carried over into the new week.

“Personally for me, it’s my never-ending to-do list, and when Sunday evening rolls around, I think of all of the things I didn’t get to,” she said.

Not everyone feels overwhelmed by the end of the weekend, though. Dallas resident Kasem Abdullah said he doesn’t experience the Sunday scaries and credits the more carefree mindset to truly enjoying his career as a wealth advisor and appreciating the life he has built for himself.

“While my profession is only one facet of who I am, it’s a meaningful part of my identity,” he said. “Instead of dreading the end of the weekend, I actually look forward to diving into the week ahead and getting after my goals.”

Abdullah said what he enjoys most about the start to a new week is immediately jumping in and maintaining productivity, tackling the various appointments and priorities he has on his schedule.

“Professionally, I look forward to connecting with current clients to catch up on their lives as well as meeting prospective clients and learning their stories,” he said. “Outside of work, I maintain a routine that keeps me energized—typically heading to band practice, hitting the gym three times a week, and taking my dog to the park. Having those social and personal outlets built into my weekly rhythm gives me a lot to look forward to.”

Many new beginnings (such as new years, new chapters in life, etc.) are often causes of excitement for people. Starting a new week often feels different for some individuals, though, as it’s more of a return to a standard routine rather than a completely new stage. Abdullah said he believes that the Sunday scaries can sometimes stem from a broader dissatisfaction with life.

“Too many people spend their weeks, years, and—in some cases—lifetimes stuck in jobs they hate or, at best, barely tolerate without taking real action to fix it,” he said. “I also hate those ‘almost Friday’ posts people reshare. It makes me barf a little in my mouth seeing them. Living strictly for the weekend or waiting on a new year to start caring about your life is a terrible way to operate.

Abdullah added that he thinks that every day should matter.

“If not all of yours do, I’d take an honest inventory of what you actually want and start taking small tangible steps to build a life you can enjoy every day—even Mondays,” he said.

Stautz, on the other hand, said she believes that the start of a new week can create feelings of nervousness, despite people getting through such instances each week of their lives, that are perhaps somewhat different than other beginnings simply because people mostly already know what to expect, and it’s more of a self-created nervous dread than a nervous excitement.

“I think that when starting a new chapter, you might expect and be more open to new things occurring,” she said. “During the start of a new week, I think we often look at the tasks we have to ‘check off’ our lists. We get into routines instead of having open mindsets.”

There are certainly ways to overcome the Sunday scaries and avoid feelings of stress and anxiety prior to the new week, though. Stautz said a few of her strategies include praying, talking with friends and loved ones, and getting outside to exercise.

“Try not to over-analyze or think about how things will be completed,” she said. “Take everything day by day, and don’t give yourself an unrealistic timeline that will ultimately make you feel unaccomplished because you didn’t meet the expectations you placed on yourself.”

For Orozco, it’s helpful not to spend too much time thinking about all of the tasks she has in the week ahead, as they are still going to be there, and she knows she can handle whatever comes her way.

“Because I do have a busy schedule and life, I don’t take it too seriously,” she said. “I just have to feel my feels and move forward with my new week and know I did my best.”

And while Abdullah doesn’t struggle with Sunday scaries now, he acknowledged that he used to experience them when he was working a different job. He said he quit and began one he enjoys more, and he advises anyone who does tend to feel stress and anxiety leading into a new week to identify what is occurring behind the scenes to create such feelings.

“I spoke a lot about work, but if it’s other things causing these ‘scaries,’ I’d start to find what it is that brings you joy in life and passionately pursue it,” he said. “It’s the only way to live.”

The Pacific Ocean, the world’s largest and deepest water mass, contains nearly twice as much water as the Atlantic Ocean, the second largest body of water.

While many food-making processes require precise measurements and specifically followed steps, others allow for more flexibility and individual preferences.

That doesn’t mean that people don’t have strong opinions on how to reach the final products, though.

The peanut butter and jelly sandwich is a staple source of sustenance for many individuals (apologies to those with peanut allergies), but there are some rather passionate disagreements as to the way one should create this beloved lunchbox item.

The real debate often arises in regard to whether or not it is acceptable to put the peanut butter and the jelly on the same side before smashing the two pieces of bread together. Such an action is seen as an atrocity to those who adamantly believe that one side should be slathered with peanut butter, the other with jelly, and then the two slices come together to form one united sandwich.

While that preemptive union isn’t completely unacceptable to Dallas resident Andrew Hall, he said he doesn’t believe that there is a correct or incorrect way to make a PB&J, though he does stand by specific standard protocols.

“There are certainly components of making the sandwich that produce a better result, including putting the peanut butter and jelly on separate sides of the sandwich; using sourdough bread; and, most importantly, having the correct ratio of peanut butter, bread, and jelly so that the sandwich is not too dry and all of the flavors can be tasted in each bite,” he said.

Like Hall, Dallas-area resident Megan Burke doesn’t believe that there is only one correct way to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, though she did note that there are “best practices” one should follow.

“Peanut butter should be placed on one slice, and jelly should be placed on the other slice,” she said. “Peanut butter acts as a moisture barrier, and its ratio should be slightly greater. Then they are joined together as one glorious PB&J.”

Burke acknowledged that if she were made aware of someone putting jelly on one piece of bread and peanut butter on the same piece and then placing a piece of bread on top of that, she would feel bothered by such an occurrence.

“That is not a PB&J,” she said. “That’s a hostile situation.”

Hall, however, said he wouldn’t necessarily be as disturbed by an individual opting to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in what many might consider to be an unconventional way.

“I would do a double take, but as long as there is enough—but not too much—of each, it doesn’t matter,” he said. “In the end, it all tastes the same. I value flavor over presentation and the creative process.”

While the first known peanut butter and jelly sandwich recipe called for currant or crab apple jelly, after World War I, Welch’s Concord grape jelly became highly popular and commonly used in peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Grape is certainly not the only option available, and Hall said he is rather flexible in terms of the type of jelly or fruit concoction one uses. 

“Any jelly is acceptable,” he said. “I particularly enjoy peach preserves.”

Burke, on the other hand, prefers to stick to more traditional options.

“I use grape, and strawberry is an acceptable replacement,” she said. “Anything outside of that belongs on a charcuterie board.”

Different people take different paths and often arrive at conclusions and destinations in their own unique ways. Sometimes, alternative methods may seem strange to others, but there can be beauty in understanding that one way is not the only way (cue “Colors of the Wind” from Pocahontas).

“Much like tying a shoelace, there are a few clear systematic ways to make a PB&J, and I would suggest anyone learning to make one find a simple set of instructions to follow,” Hall said. “Individuals should feel free to express themselves and be creative in the kitchen, even if that means putting the peanut butter and jelly on the same side.”

And though Burke prefers to stick to her standard protocols when making a classic meal (or snack, for some people), she also supports individuals who decide to go rogue with their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

“If you want to put Doritos on yours, by all means, march to the beat of your own drum,” she said. “Just don’t expect me to march along with you.”

WEEKLY PHOTO OP

PSA: Protect your eyes from the sun

Monday, October 12: Breaking Benjamin at Dickies Arena; Free Halloween Movie Month — Halloween at Sundown at Granada
Tuesday, October 13: Stars vs. Avalanche at the American Airlines Center; Free Halloween Movie Month — Beetlejuice at Sundown at Granada; Movies in the Park — Practical Magic at Griggs Park
Wednesday, October 14: Mavs vs. Pelicans (preseason) at the American Airlines Center
Thursday, October 15: Cool Thursdays Concert Series — Elton John tribute at the Dallas Arboretum; Elevation Worship at the American Airlines Center
Friday, October 16: Modest Mouse at the Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory; Jazz at the Museum at the Dallas Museum of Art; SMU Volleyball vs. Miami at Moody Coliseum
Saturday, October 17: WRRC Saturday run from Taco Joint; Weezer at the American Airlines Center; Phoebe Bridgers at Dickies Arena
Sunday, October 18: Sombr at the American Airlines Center; Candlelight — 90s Unplugged at Frontiers of Flight Museum; Cowboys vs. Packers Watch Party at Legacy Hall