“MONDAY na naman? Grabe, ang bilis ng weekend!” This is a line that echoes through countless Filipino GC’s, TikTok rants, and alarm clocks that keep getting snoozed on a Monday morning.
Whether you’re a student forcing yourself out of bed for your morning class, a fresh graduate facing yet another week of job hunting, or a young adult squeezing into an LRT train before sunrise—you’ve probably experienced the Monday Blues.
But for Filipino Gen Zs, this isn’t just about being lazy or “tinatamad”. It’s not just the urge to go back to sleep or the dread of another online class or office deadline.
What we call the “Monday Blues” has evolved into a complex mix of mental exhaustion, digital burnout, pressure to perform, and emotional fatigue—all silently carried while trying to find a place in a fast-moving world.
Monday Blues ≠ Katamaran
According to an article from PsychCentral, medically reviewed by psychologist Bethany Juby, PsyD, Monday Blues are described as feeling emotionally low at the start of the week—sometimes bringing on anxiety, stress, or even a sense of dread.
It makes going back to school or work after just two days off feel like a chore—especially if you’re unhappy with what you’re doing. For some, it’s more than a minor inconvenience; it can bring on mood dips that last all week long.
Others may dismiss Monday Blues as a non-medical term or just a casual excuse to avoid work. But research tells a different story. In fact, a 2020 study supports the idea that the Monday slump is real.
Findings show that people report lower job satisfaction and higher stress levels right after weekends. This is closely related to what’s known as the “Sunday Scaries”—the anxious feeling that creeps in on Sunday nights as Monday approaches.
How Do We Deal With It?
In Filipino households, values like hard work, grit, and “tiis” culture are drilled into us from a young age. While those are admirable traits, they sometimes leave no room for open conversations about emotional or mental exhaustion.
Job application platform Indeed suggests practical ways to manage the Monday Blues and soften the dreaded transition from weekend to workweek:
Do what sparks happiness. Instead of packing all your social plans into the weekend, schedule something light and fun on Mondays. A lunch break catch-up, a quick coffee run, or a calming hobby can shift your mood.
Prioritize rest. Getting good sleep—especially on Sunday nights—can be a game changer. You can’t expect to start strong when you’re running on low energy.
Build a Monday ritual. A few minutes of journaling, stretching, or meditating can help set a calm tone for the day and give you a sense of control before diving into responsibilities.
Reshape your schedule. Try not to overload your Monday to-do list. Spread out major tasks across the week to avoid starting with unnecessary pressure.
From Burnout to Balance
Let’s face it—Filipino Gen Zs are tired. A lot of them juggle multiple responsibilities: school, freelance work, helping out at home, and side gigs to chase their passions or simply to make ends meet.
They live in a world where overworking is glorified, and rest is often mistaken for laziness. Slowing down is sometimes seen as falling behind.
Mondays are supposed to mark a fresh start. But instead of feeling recharged, many Gen Zs wake up feeling more drained—because two days of rest can’t undo weeks of built-up stress, pressure, and expectations.
So the next time you catch yourself saying, “Lunes na naman…”—pause for a second. Remind yourself that it’s okay to feel off. It’s okay to ease into the week. And most importantly, it’s okay to put yourself first.
You’re not expected to fix everything in one day. You’re not supposed to carry it all at once. Progress doesn’t have to be loud—it can be slow, quiet, and gentle.
Because maybe the goal isn’t to fight the Monday Blues… Maybe the goal is to learn how to live with it, without letting it control you.
