Sundays are often associated with relaxation, family time, and the anticipation of the week ahead. However, I struggle with Sunday’s. And it’s not in the sense of “Sunday dread” because a new work week is upon us. For me, a Sunday as a kid was the day that my abuse more than often occurred.

Growing up, I always had a sense of unease about the day, and I never really understood why. I had blocked out so many memories from my childhood, but the emotions were always there and would somehow show themselves on Sundays. My moods would shift, and it didn’t matter what I was doing. There were underlying negative emotions surrounding the day. As I have gotten older and now understand why, I still find it difficult to relax.

Healing from Childhood Trauma and Overcoming Sunday Dread

I have tried to make the day about something else. Focus on things that bring me joy or will keep my mind occupied, but it doesn’t seem to matter what I do; the uneasy feeling is always there. Perhaps not on the surface, but it’s sitting there in my gut. Even though it’s been many years since the abuse happened and I am in the process of working on myself and healing, Sunday’s will always be a day that I struggle with.

The brain has a remarkable ability to create associations between past experiences and present triggers. Even when we don’t want it to. The negative emotions are difficult for me to shake. Healing from childhood trauma is a complex and ongoing process that requires patience, self-compassion, and a lot of work. It can be exhausting, but putting in that work is helping me reframe those negative emotions, and I am hoping to change my outlook on a Sunday and allow myself to enjoy the day instead of having a dark cloud over it. But in the meantime, I still struggle with Sunday’s and I really don’t look forward to the day at all.