I have a unique perspective on “Bare Minimum Monday”, which entails people completing only the essential tasks, especially on Mondays. I was meant to turn in this article on Monday, but here we are today, Tuesday. Wondering why? It is simply because it was a Bare Minimum Monday, a recent TikTok trend meant to encourage employees to reduce the pressure to perform and make Monday a less daunting day.
The transition from a relaxing weekend to a busy or stressful work week can stir up Sunday blues, a dreadful feeling you get when thinking about impending workweek, school week, or other obligations that await in the week ahead. You start to question your entire existence.
Marisa Jo Mayes, a TikTok creator, believes that in the coming years, the bare minimum trend will still be popular – Mayes would feel stressed on Sundays and overwhelmed on Mondays. Since she joined the bandwagon, the feeling – guilt – crept in, especially when she was unable to finish her to-do list.
“I initiated this because I was putting too much pressure on myself, which made it difficult for me to achieve anything,” she explains in one of her TikTok videos.
While many people believe that bare minimum Monday is used to make room for rest or as a self-care routine, a majority, especially the older generation, believe the new workplace trend simply decorates the Generation Z’s lack of motivation and poor work ethics. But the question that linger on everyone’s mind is; what would you do on a bare minimum Monday?
Most employees today generally engage in activities that bring them joy, such as meditation and workouts. Some view bare minimum Mondays as a chance to prioritize their well-being as individuals rather than just as employees. Journaling and reading also play a significant role in embracing the new trend. Here are reasons why it will be popular in Kenya:
Reduces the burnout – Demanding workloads and strict deadlines are a commonality in modern workplaces. With no space or time to recharge, most employees experience burnout. Most professionals can relate to always feeling behind schedule and overwhelmed on Monday mornings. It gives you time to plan, have a bit of self-care and have a reasonable start to your work week not always starting the week on a short fuse.
Mental health focus – It provides employees with the chance to prioritize their mental health and reduce stress levels enhance job satisfaction.
Smooth Transition into the work week – Employees who engage in social activities or travel during the weekend, Monday becomes a rest day before diving into work.
While easing into the work week sounds great in theory, the fact is that most organizations and supervisors probably would not allow their employees to routinely work only three or four hours every Monday. So, what are the cons of bare minimum Monday? And why do Gen Zs seem so badly into it?
Decreased productivity
While this term was coined as a viral TikTok trend, it might lead to reduced productivity in workplaces. People would take advantage and have a completely bare minimum week. It would also play a part in normalizing unprofessional work ethics – an individual would take a day off on a Tuesday, wake up late Wednesday, put away the phone Thursday, forget to report to work Fridays.
Bare minimum Monday is also not for all job types. The trend isn’t practical for everyone, particularly those with specific schedules or duties. For instance, a matatu tout or driver who needs to manage passengers on early Monday morning won’t follow the trend.
Similarly, a teacher required to conduct classes during school hours would find it challenging. If workers in these roles adopt the bare minimum Monday trend, customers might interpret their actions as substandard service.
While the bare minimum Monday aims to address workplace stress and promote mental health, its feasibility and effectiveness depend on job roles and organizational cultures. Its success, however, hinges on a collective willingness to prioritize well-being over sheer productivity.
Companies that embrace the new mindset may find that not only do their employees experience improved mental health, but overall job satisfaction and long-term productivity can also see significant gains. As with any workplace initiative, open communication, flexibility, and a genuine commitment to employee welfare are key to making such a concept thrive. – By Wanjiku Hilder
