In the midst of hectic everyday life, in which obligations such as work, studies, household chores and possibly children take up a large part of our time, there is often little room for cultivating friendships. This is where the „First Sunday Rule“ comes in, a strategy designed to help us find time for the most important people in our lives despite all the challenges – our social contacts, our friends and, of course, our family members. After all, maintaining relationships in the long term requires not only occasional contact, but also consciously cultivating it.
Not everyone is lucky enough to have a person in their circle with whom the connection remains unbroken even after months of radio silence. It is human to desire quality time together, but the often overcrowded schedule, which does not become emptier with age, poses a challenge. The „First Sunday Rule“ promises a solution by encouraging people to consciously dedicate the first Sunday of the month to friendship and thus strengthen bonds and will therefore be the focus of the following article.
Definition of the term „First Sunday Rule“
The term „First Sunday Rule“ comes from the English language and is made up of the words „first“, „sunday“ and „rule“. Combined, „First Sunday Rule“ could therefore be roughly translated as „First Sunday rule“ or „First Sunday ritual“.
This actually refers to a ritual that is recommended by leading social scientists. The first Sunday of the month should always be used to socialize. The first Sunday of the month is often ideal for this because the individual to-do list usually swells over the course of the month. The first Sunday of the month is usually not too busy – so there is also time for socializing.
The „First Sunday Rule“ is therefore a piece of advice to use the day for social activities, such as going out, visiting cafés or meeting up with old acquaintances. Former friends, fellow students you thought you’d lost or an aunt you haven’t seen for a long time – they all qualify for the „First Sunday Rule“.
Where does the term „First Sunday Rule“ come from?
The term „First Sunday Rule“ cannot be dated exactly. It probably originated over the past year or two on social media platforms such as TikTok, Twitter or Instagram. The „First Sunday Rule“ is also not a fixed method, but rather a rule of thumb.
The first Sunday of the month seems ideal for such activities – especially if you are working, have a large family to look after and have a lot else on your agenda. According to experts, however, you should make time for socializing every now and then – and this is where the „First Sunday Rule“ comes into play!
How does the „First Sunday Rule“ work?
The „First Sunday Rule“ is a simple yet effective strategy for maintaining friendships in a hectic everyday life, especially in adulthood. It involves consciously dedicating the first Sunday of the month to maintaining relationships by checking in with a friend you haven’t heard from in a while. This doesn’t necessarily involve a whole day of activities together, but rather a conversation to catch up.
The rule offers a minimally invasive way of showing that you are thinking about your friend. However, the „First Sunday Rule“ should be handled flexibly, as not every friendship requires the same level of care. The essence is to make friendships routine in order to build and maintain strong bonds in the long term.
Main areas of application of the „First Sunday Rule“
The „First Sunday Rule“ is now used in many different areas:
- within personal relationships
- within the family
- on social media
The following subsections are intended to illustrate the main areas of application of the popular „First Sunday Rule“ mentioned above.
Personal relationships
The „First Sunday Rule“ proves its worth in personal relationships by encouraging regular contact. From long-standing friendships to new acquaintances, it makes it possible to consciously make time for each other on the first Sunday of the month and thus strengthen the connection. This could be just acquaintances, established friendships or fleeting contacts from professional life.
Family
In family relationships, the „First Sunday Rule“ establishes itself as a reminder to regularly reserve time for family members. This is done through conversations or joint activities to deepen family ties.
Social media
Even in the digital age on social media, the „First Sunday Rule“ is applied. Through targeted messages, comments or calls on the first Sunday of the month, virtual connections are maintained and deepened, which strengthens social cohesion. The term is also used in video and image descriptions and as a hashtag on social media.
A critical look at the „First Sunday Rule“
Despite its apparent simplicity and well-intentioned intentions, the „First Sunday Rule“ raises some critical questions. The rule assumes that all social contacts require the same level of care, which is often not the case in reality. Some people appreciate less frequent contact and may feel overwhelmed by too frequent requests.
In addition, the fixation on the first Sunday of the month could lead to spontaneous, authentic encounters being neglected. There is also a risk that the „First Sunday Rule“ becomes a mere routine, with the quality of interactions falling short of the regular obligation. It is therefore important to interpret the rule flexibly and adapt it to the individual needs of different friendships.
Conclusion on the „First Sunday Rule“ and similar terms
To summarize, the „First Sunday Rule“ can be described as a rule of thumb that recommends dedicating the first Sunday of every month to socializing. These can be casual acquaintances, friends or former colleagues with whom you spontaneously do something or talk to them. This is intended to strengthen social ties, despite the often hectic and busy everyday life.
In addition to the „First Sunday Rule“, there are also the terms „Quality Time“ and „Mindful Presence“. „Quality time“ is a term that is often used to describe time spent consciously and intensively with certain people or activities. Mindful presence, on the other hand, is being consciously and attentively present in the present moment.