Create Space - Pillar 2

Mental health has many layers and is very personal. Some people are very open to expressing how they feel, others are not, for all kinds of reasons. To create a shared space try asking “how was your Sunday evening?” rather than “how was your weekend?”. Then really listen to what they say and share your own feelings too.

“How was your Sunday evening?” is a question with no stigma attached to it. It could replace a “Good morning” on Monday. If we make a habit of asking every week we can recognise when changes are happening. If the responses express worsening feelings this could be an early warning sign that help is needed. It’s also important to to note your own Sunday Night Blues pattern and spot language that might show a risk of burn-out.

Define Success together

Expectations we impose on ourselves may contribute to the Sunday Night Blues. I’ve seen highly talented people take themselves off-grid to deliver work that meets their own high expectations. But when the work is submitted it doesn’t quite hit the spot because the client or organisation’s thinking has shifted since the work was identified. Whose standards are you working to? So, it’s important to define what good looks like together. Create space to ask questions, share information and allow openness when feeling stuck.

You have to stop the ‘big reveal’ on a deadline that doesn’t meet expectations. To reduce the Sunday Night Blues you may want to make sure you don’t have a Monday deadline.

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Next: Pillar 3 - Plan positive