John Herrman, the new co-editor of The Awl, calls needed attention today to the perplexing issue of what might be called “Sunday creep,” by which Sunday afternoons and evenings are increasingly filled with the kind of work-related correspondence, bombshell newspaper and magazine articles, and “must-watch” television programming that has traditionally been reserved for the working week itself. Sunday, Herrman argues, should be for catching up and contemplating existence, not getting a jump-start:
Sunday evening is meant to be a time for light reading and middlebrow TV; it is for catching up on stacks of magazines or Instapaper queues or world events that you chose to ignore for the seven days prior. It is a time to make one last desperate attempt to become whole for the week ahead. It is a time for the reciprocal soothing of partners. It is a time for hobbies and secrets, if you have them.
Indeed, the internet/social media/wiring of everything does seem to increasingly cede control of leisure time to people who would rather be at work or online than left alone with their own thoughts, families, or IRL friends. This is why it’s safest to just tell everyone you know, at all times, that you are on your way to the gym or the airport, because those are the only two remaining places where no one expects you to answer their email.
Also, there should be gyms at airports, because that would be a great way to pass time and relieve stress.
