Yes, Black women, it’s perfectly fine to do the bare minimum sometimes – and no, it doesn’t make you lazy.
In 2023, Marisa Jo Mayes, co-founder of Spacetime Monotasking and digital creator extraordinaire, introduced the world to “Bare Minimum Mondays,” a vibe that lets you ease into the week without that overwhelming pressure to be ‘on’ from the jump.
Ahead, we dive into everything Bare Minimum Mondays and show you how to pull off a BMM and still check off every box on your to-do list like a pro.
What Are Bare Minimum Mondays?
As previously mentioned, Bare Minimum Mondays is a term coined by TikTok sensation Marisa Jo Mayes, and it’s all about easing into your work week with minimal effort and maximum focus on self-care.
Think of it as a form of quiet quitting but without actually quitting.
Marisa shared her experience with CNBC in 2023: “I would wake up on Monday already feeling behind, overwhelmed, and anxious. That feeling would only build throughout the week.”
She tried to overachieve her way out of burnout, but it wasn’t working. That was until she gave herself permission to do the bare minimum one Monday.
“That day was extremely liberating,” she said. “I’d been conditioned to believe that my worth is directly tied to my productivity, so letting myself off the hook was a mindset shift I desperately needed. It freed me up to actually get things done….and allowed me to be productive again.”
@samiraamalia Is this a new great work/life hack? #bareminimummondays #careertok #fyp #lifehack #workhack #blackgirltiktok #ceotips #entrepreneurtok ♬ original sound – SamiraAmalia
But like everything else on the internet, the Bare Minimum Mondays concept faced a lot of criticism, especially from the older generations, who labeled it “another entitlement term for Millennials and Gen Zs.”
Others rolled their eyes and dismissed it as “willful laziness” that would cost the practice’s most loyal fans their jobs.
But the reality is that over 75% of working Americans experience Sunday Scaries – feelings of dread and anxiety before starting a new work week. And of these 75%, 50% are women, with Black women disproportionately affected.
But the reality is that over 75% of working Americans experience Sunday Scaries – feelings of dread and anxiety before starting a new work week. And of these 75%, 50% are women, with Black women disproportionately affected.
And it doesn’t stop at Sundays. More studies show that since 2021, Sunday Scaries have continuously seeped into other days of the week, with 15% of Black women claiming to have difficulty sleeping four nights a week out of fear of losing their jobs.
“With the volume of work or meetings on our plates, there needs to be a heightened focus on mental health and well-being instead of employees thinking they need to put their foot right on the gas at 9 am on Monday,” Andrew Hunter, a career expert and co-founder of Azuna told CNBC.
“The Bare Minimum Mondays trend is about giving employees flexibility to pace their work evenly … reducing work-related stress and burnout that can potentially carry over into their engagement, productivity and the company culture.”
Are There Any Benefits To Bare Minimum Mondays?
@resumeaddict I’m not telling you to slack off, but you can only do what you can do ????????♀️ You’re human! #bareminimummonday #fyp ♬ original sound – Charnay | Career Consultant
Unlike hustle culture, which often glorifies constant grind and overworking, Bare Minimum Mondays promote a healthier work-life balance.
So, while you might not have the luxury of slacking off or skipping work entirely (a common criticism of BMM), you use the bones of Bare Minimum Mondays to work smarter, not harder, and crush your to-do list while still prioritizing your mental health and setting a sustainable pace for the rest of the week.
In the immortal words of workplace psychologist and behavioral expert Natalie Baumgartner, “If we can’t find a way to help people create a work-life mix that supports mental well-being, we can’t be successful.”
If we can’t find a way to help people create a work-life mix that supports mental well-being, we can’t be successful.
Related: Mentally and Emotionally Exhausted? Here’s 4 Ways To Bounce Back From Burnout
How To Successfully Have Bare Minimum Mondays And Still Crush Your To-Do List
Set Yourself Up For Success By Prepping On Friday
If you haven’t already, consider setting aside some time every Friday afternoon to map out your to-do list for the upcoming week before signing off for the weekend. This way, you can start your Monday feeling organized and less overwhelmed.
If you know certain days will be more hectic than most, then use the weekend to meal prep or budget for takeout for those busy days. If you have a ton of errands lined up for Thursday, try grouping them into one block of time, whether it’s morning or afternoon, to check everything off in one go.
No matter your plan, the goal here is to work smarter, not harder. With a flexible plan in place, you’ll be able to ease into the week without that looming sense of dread.
Build A Solid Morning And After-Work Routine
Burnout often happens because we rarely give ourselves enough time to truly unplug. We’re constantly checking emails or letting work thoughts invade our off-hours, and before we know it, we’re living in work mode even when we’re supposed to be resting.
That’s why having a solid and reliable morning and after-work routine is crucial. Remember when we talked about creating systems for 2025? Well, this is one of those systems. A routine gives you the downtime you need to recharge, so you’re ready to take on the next day’s tasks.
For Marisa, Bare Minimum Mondays look like this: the first two hours of her day are “phone-and work-free” and are dedicated to whatever helps set her up for a good week ahead—whether it’s reading a book, hitting the gym, or making a healthy breakfast.
Then, after work, unwind with your favorite show (just remember to keep your phone or laptop out of reach so you can fully enjoy it) or simply rest. It’s all about finding what feels right for you.
Sort Your Tasks By What’s Urgent And What’s Important
Marisa’s work portion of the day, which is typically three hours, involves must-do tasks that don’t feel like a stretch to finish on Mondays.
“I make sure that the tasks I assign myself are urgent, important, or both and everything else waits until Tuesday – unless I gain enough momentum to keep going,” she told CNBC.
“To me, a must-do task is one that has direct consequences if left incomplete.” This could mean something on a strict schedule, like a 4 PM meeting with EmilyCottontop, or a task that others are waiting on, like drafting a campaign copy for Valentine’s Day.
Organizing your to-do list like this helps you see what really needs your attention and takes some stress off your shoulders; what you have to get done doesn’t feel overwhelming, and you’ll be able to focus and tick off everything faster than you think.
Don’t Let Mondays Dictate The Rest Of The Week
We can’t always control what happens, and some Mondays will definitely be more challenging than others. That’s just part of life.
The key is staying flexible, open to unexpected surprises, and adapting as best as you can. While calm and intentional Bare Minimum Mondays can be the perfect start to your week, they don’t have to dictate the rest of your week.
We all have our good and bad days, and one or two challenging days shouldn’t determine the course of the rest of the week.
What’s your go-to for making Bare Minimum Mondays feel effortless yet productive?
Comment below!
