38 Comments

Loved reading this as I sip my coffee and have a carrot and chickpea soup simmering in preparation for a later lunch.

I will go for a walk in the woods later and then have my Sunday summit where I reflect on the week past and define the week ahead.

Slow slow slow.

Expand full comment

That sounds wonderful! A lovely balance of quiet and relaxing time, good food and fresh air ! So glad you enjoyed this one 💌🙏

Expand full comment

I've purposely planned my entire life around not waking up to an alarm clock (almost never). I've been super blessed and privileged to have more control over my work schedule, which allowed me to push back my earliest appointments to 11 a.m. That alone was the biggest game changer in dealing with anxiety and insomnia because I go to bed with a calmer mind and a mental buffer if I need the extra time in the morning. 

Expand full comment

That is such a great idea ... I love the idea of a 'mental buffer'. I do wake up fairly early and even earlier now I've been doing morning pages. The mornings are fast becoming cherished time!

Expand full comment

something about a quiet, slow start that shifts the vibe for the entire day. :-)

Expand full comment

Bri, I'm so glad to hear you say that because I also never need an alarm clock. And I never make client appointments earlier than 10am. I secretly felt lazy until I read your comment hahaha.

Expand full comment

Honestly, I used to feel a bit guilty too. But then I thought to myself, if I give myself a little, they get a lot. They get the best part of me-fully present and ready to go. I think the 9-5, 40 hour a week model is garbage. IMHO. 😊

Expand full comment

Complete garbage! I never looked back after I took out that trash 😁

Expand full comment

I think the hardest part is making the shift because it can come with a lot of guilt and backlash (from my experience). But the more that we normalize balance and enjoying life instead of racing to the weekend, the more we will see a cultural shift.

Expand full comment

I couldn't agree more.!

Expand full comment

Putting deadlines on pause is important.

Expand full comment

Yes, I love that too. Just embracing the still is so important.

Expand full comment

I love doing all these things…I just want to add, sometimes a big fat nap. 😆

Expand full comment

I'm here for nap life post 30! It is the best 🙌🙌🙌

Expand full comment

Slow Sundays are a psychological default for many, I think. Even when I worked 9-5 corporate jobs, I purposely kept Sunday low-key because ugh...Mondays.

Now my life is so different. I'm pretty much slow all the time but Sunday mornings are so quiet and beautiful. I have to walk first thing because my dog makes me but on Sunday mornings in particular, it's very quiet outside. Almost like a zombie apocalypse happened overnight and we're the only survivors lol.

Expand full comment

I have to work on Sundays every now and then (this Sunday coming actually) and it always makes me feel a little sad that I'm losing my chilled day ... But I actually think Sunday has different energy and even when working the world, and people feel a little slower and maybe that's why I love it so much!

Expand full comment

Having spent 10 years in hospitality, I worked Sundays nearly every week and I totally agree with you.

Expand full comment

Gym then watch the football! Definitely no soup but each to their own 😁

Expand full comment

Absolutely... I love hearing about what everyone's Sundays look like 🙌

Expand full comment

Such a calming Sunday read-inspires me to make a nice pot of soup today, take a leisurely walk with my dog, and cuddle up by the fire with a good book!

Expand full comment

Thank you! Sounds lovely. I hope it is as sunny where you are, as it is where I am. It is a perfect sunny winter day. I am also going to make soup today - Ginger, Carrot and Tahini, a new recipe and I can't wait to try it out!

Expand full comment

I read this on a Wednesday early morning, when it's still dark outside.

I've got the weekend off, but Sunday is my favourite, as Saturday I work for my side hustle, although from home. I love cosying up in my room (and kitchen) on Sundays, starting whole foods breakfast and sipping hot cocoa :)

The image you painted on my head about enjoying a relaxed Sunday morning with a partner is so dreamy.

Expand full comment

Thank you Sekar. I am so glad you enjoyed it ! Sounds like your Sunday is very peaceful too ! 🙏 Wouldn't it be nice to try and capture the cosy Sunday feeling and insert it into the week ... That's what I'd like to do. I've not got work until later so this morning, I went back to bed with a cuppa and listened to a podcast... It was a lovely slow start to the day. ✨

Expand full comment

oh that's lovely! Enjoy the rest of your day, Emily, and I believe you can carry the gentle feeling that you had this morning throughout your day.

Expand full comment

Hi Emily I really loved your intro how you took us along on your Sunday morning 🤩

It’s funny how Sundays are still such holy days in the south of Germany, everything’s closed you can’t go shopping. Many think this is an outdated model and when should we do our grocery shopping… but I love how we’re “forced” to rest and everybody has the same right to do so.

Sleeping in, morning walk, pottering around the house, writing / reading, food prepping and Pilates & a sauna session are my favourite parts of a slow Sunday.

I used to obsess so much over making the most out of the day that I couldn’t enjoy it and stressed about the running time the whole day. Guess that’s also when the Sunday blues kick in for those not being fulfilled by their work. Since I now enjoy my day job, I can also relax on Sundays more because I’m not dreading the next day and I feel like many of those not self employed feel similarly xx

Expand full comment

Thank you Carmen. I'm so glad you liked the intro. 🙏 It's so nice to hear about everyone's Sunday vibes. Your Sunday sounds lovely... I used to do yoga all the time, but in way out of the habit but definitely something I'd like to pick up again. I bet pilates and a sauna is just lovely on a chilled day! 💕

My sister lives in Germany and she often comments on the slower Sundays. I really like it ... We have early closing in England but most places still open.

It's nice that the world slows a little on a Sunday and I think it can teach us a lot about how to approach the rest of the week.

Sunday blues make me sad, taking away the gentle joy of the day. I'm glad you don't experience them anymore ... I wish no one would !

Expand full comment

Aw its so lovely to hear that I am part of your slow Sunday Emily! One of my favourite days of the week! :)

Expand full comment

It is just the best - feels like a gift to play with !

Expand full comment

A lovely ode to Sundays. I read this while lazing in bed on Sunday morning with my husband, 2 dogs and cat :) Sundays really are the best.

Expand full comment

Thank you! I love that .... a bed-full! I hope you had a wonderful day, and feel all refreshed ready for the week ahead!

Expand full comment

I did! I'm travelling down to London for work this week - not something I do very often and very much out of my comfort zone being in London, so a lovely chilled out Sunday was definitely required :)

Expand full comment

Since changing jobs to the community, I now only work 1 in 4 weekends instead of every other which has made a big difference in experiencing slow sundays. Beautiful post 🥰

Expand full comment

Thank you so much. It does make a big difference. I think Sundays have a different energy ... Even when I have to work, I do find the world and people have a slower vibe ... Obviously I waaaayyyy prefer being home on a Sunday though 🙌😜

Expand full comment

Your Sunday sounds delightful, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it! Planning is something I prefer to do on a Sunday rather than Monday too, it makes me feel organised for the week and therefore calm ☺️

Expand full comment

Thank you so much. It feels like a nice gentle way or organising the week ahead. I am so enjoying your book... its so inspiring - it makes me feel all excited and capable!

Expand full comment

Oh I’m so happy to read that! 🥰 Would love to know which experiments you take a shine to x

Expand full comment

Another great post! I love the audio recordings. Have you thought about doing a video?

Expand full comment

Thank you so much 😊 I am becoming more intrigued by video (it's quite a scary thought!) ... I must say I really love including the audio with my Slow Sunday Letter 💌... It has been a lovely step for me in adding a personal touch.

Expand full comment