Do you really know? Could Bare Minimum Mondays protect us from burnout?
Jan 26, 2026
They explore Sunday night anxiety and why so many dread Monday mornings. They trace the viral rise of Bare Minimum Monday and what ‘doing as little as possible’ looks like. They weigh practical limits at traditional jobs and possible risks to reputation. They discuss compromises and planning to make Mondays less stressful.
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Minimal Mondays Reduce Return-to-Work Stress
- Bare Minimum Monday asks people to do as little as possible on the first workday to reduce stress and ease back into routine.
- The concept spread after Marissa Jo Mays promoted it on TikTok in 2023 and trademarked the idea.
Prioritise Self-Care Over Busywork
- Prioritise self-care like exercise, creative activities and cooking while keeping work in the background on Mondays.
- Only perform tasks that are absolutely essential to avoid unrealistic Sunday-night to-do lists.
Works For Freelancers, Risky For Employees
- Bare Minimum Monday suits the self-employed who control their schedules but clashes with many on-site jobs and rigid roles.
- Practising it at work can harm reputation and even risk job loss, as critics warn it can be "a great way to get fired."