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A Sunday reset day is crucial to an easy and less stressful week. Of course, if your work week isn’t Monday to Friday, your reset day could be on a different day. However, the concept is the same. A reset day, in my book, is equal part rest and self-care as it is planning and organization. Let me share my perfect Sunday reset formula as inspiration to create your own.
What’s the point of a Sunday reset
The point is to have a fully intentional day. It’s about setting the foundation of a productive yet simplified week.
If you live in a reactive state at all times, you will find yourself with a higher stress level and a more chaotic life. You likely won’t be able to get everything done (at least not the correct way).
A reset day has two primary goals.
- Add structure to your busy life.
- Refill your cup to be able to give you best to everything you do.
Spending 30-60 minutes each week to write down everything you need to do for the upcoming week is a fantastic approach to adopt. It allows you to organize all of your obligations, activities, and even hobbies in a way that will work with your schedule.
Once you’ve planned your week, it is crucial to have some relaxation or fun time as well. It is a bad idea to start a new work week with an empty cup. Have some time for yourself where the goal is not to be productive.
What can I do on a Sunday reset
3 Things that will contribute to an easier week
I run all of my errands on Saturday. Therefore, my entire Sunday is usually spent at home. The only time I will leave is for activities that fill my cup, vacations, or family obligations.
This is helpful if you are looking to create the perfect Sunday reset routine.
For example, I meal plan and grocery shop on Saturday. This is a super important weekly task. Having already defined the meals for the week while considering the daily activities is a significant component of an easier week.
Here is a great article on meal planning for beginners. For family meal ideas to include in your weekly meal plan, you can also check out this blog post.
1- Meal prep
In addition to meal planning, meal prepping can also be a big time saver during the week. It can also help you waste less food.
That’s right! For example, unless I clean and cut the carrots and celery, we are very unlikely to grab them when making our lunches in the morning.
Here are some things to meal prep to make your life easier.
- Wash and prep veggies and fruits
- Cook a batch of rice or quinoa
- Make muffins, pancakes, or egg bites for upcoming breakfasts
- Cook some hard-boiled eggs to make sandwiches, or to add to salads
- Wash fresh herbs
- Cut up or shred cheese
- Make a batch of chicken or egg salad
- Make Chia puddings or overnight oats
2- Update your planner
This 30-minute task will change you into a super organized “have your stuff together” goddess.
Nobody likes to be surprised by an appointment we forgot or a kids’ birthday party that is wrecking your plans.
Sit down while drinking your coffee on Sunday morning and go through your calendar, emails, post-it notes and update your weekly planner.
If you don’t have a weekly planner, I strongly encourage you to get one. I use the Commit30 planner and love it.
I also like to include things I want to do in my planner. Things such as yoga sessions, walks, or shopping. This gives me a really good overall look at the upcoming week. I can then assess if it will be problematic to accomplish it all and set the correct expectations for me and my family.
Lastly, don’t forget to add your meal plan to your daily planner. If something needs to be marinated, for example, you can add a visual reminder earlier that day.
3- Update your to-do list
Add a weekly to-do list to the side of your weekly planner.
For some of the items on your list, you can even attempt to place them in your weekly planner.
For example, I need to get a prescription refilled at the pharmacy on Tuesday afternoon when I return home from work. Having already identified that I need to do this and having further planned when I will do so will make me much more likely to get it done.
3 things to organize your home and increase your calm
1- Do laundry
Starting a new workweek with clean clothes that are correctly put away is a game-changer.
This not-so-fun task will give you a massive sense of accomplishment. Having giant piles of dirty (or clean) laundry all over your home is a horrible stressor.
Assess how much laundry you have and plan to go through it during the day. This needs to include folding and putting away the laundry.
2- Clean your home
I prefer to clean my home on the weekend. I simply don’t have the time and energy to try to fit in this chore on weeknights.
There are four of us living in our home and we all have responsibilities when it comes to cleaning our home. We make sure all of the housework is done on the same day. This is crucial to experience the blissful feeling that comes with having a clean home.
If you generally keep a clean home throughout the week, this more in-depth cleaning on the weekend should not last for hours. We spend about 2 hours each week doing this task. It’s manageable and we love to live in a clean home.
3- Organize your mail and email
It is very easy to let the pile of mail grow to a ridiculous size. We get so much mail, still.
Although we try to keep up with it daily, it does happen that the mountain of sales ads and bills accumulate on our kitchen counter. I like spending a few minutes each week during my Sunday reset to sort through it all.
We recycle what is not needed and shred personal information. It’s simple but the tidier look this will result in will help you feel much calmer.
3 things to fill your cup
1- Journal
Even if you don’t typically journal, I’d like to encourage you to try a Sunday reset journaling session.
This doesn’t have to take very long.
Simply reflect on the previous week.
- Was it a good week?
- Why? Or why not?
- What do you wish was different about it?
- Did you accomplish what you wanted to?
- Did you take care of yourself?
- How is/was your energy level?
- How do you feel about the upcoming week?
This simple practice can be extremely insightful. Don’t force it, just write what comes to mind without judgment. You’ll be surprised at how this can help release negative feelings and even help you find solutions.
2- Spend time outside
Spending time outside is crucial. You should try to do this every day.
A 2019 study demonstrated that spending 120 minutes outdoors brings powerful benefits including better sleep, reduced depression feelings, and mental restoration.
However, I understand that sometimes it’s just not possible. If that’s you, try to at least spend 30-60 minutes outside on Sunday.
3- Move your body
I am a strong believer in the importance of daily movements.
Because I have more time on Sunday, I like to incorporate a long walk. I will often go for a 5-mile walk which also provides me with over an hour of outdoor time.
Walking is a fantastic form of exercise. I wrote an article comparing the benefits of walking versus running.
On rainy days, I’ll do yoga or pilates.
Ultimately, what you do doesn’t matter. Pick something that you enjoy and move your body.
In conclusion
Don’t just react to life. Sure, you can’t plan everything. However, I hope this Sunday reset article is showing you that you can organize a lot of it to make your life so much simpler,
Let me know what are some of your strategies to simplify your life.
Thanks for reading.
Cat xx