If you’re anything like me, you’re stretched thin when the weekend hits.
So much happens during the week and requires a lot of your energy. You might have planned, but it seems that by the end of the week you’re always overwhelmed. If you don’t take the time out to plan AND prep for it, by Tuesday, you’re swamped and behind schedule. (Ask me how I know.)
Having a Sunday reset routine is a must. Because it allows you to prep for the week – not just plan for it.
Your week is demanding, from completing your work presentation by Monday and making sure the kids have t-shirts for superhero day at school (why is this a thing?!) to actually getting on your Peleton more than once like you promised yourself.
All of these things matter and can get done within the week without sacrificing your peace. But only when you take one day of the week to reset, recalibrate, and recharge. Your Sunday reset routine gives you space to do that.
When every day feels like a daunting adventure, you gotta take a step back.
Dedicating uninterrupted time to reset and refocus is essential for maintaining your sanity and setting the tone for the week ahead. Encouraging you to establish a Sunday reset routine is the hill I will die on. If you don’t have one, it will be a game-changer – for you and your family – helping you navigate day to day between motherhood, selfhood, and everything in between.
Your weekly reset routine can be on Sunday morning, afternoon (I do mine after church each week) or even the evening if that works best for you. There’s no wrong time to do it, just make time to do it.
Use the moment you’ve carved out to do whatever you need to set yourself up for success for the week. It’s not just a routine; it’s a lifeline that empowers you every week to take charge of your days, your goals, and your well-being. Once you create your own, you will swear by it and wonder how you never had a Sunday reset routine.
What is a Weekly Reset Routine?
A weekly reset routine is a deliberate and purposeful practice setting aside time each Sunday to regroup, reorganize, and rejuvenate. (I say Sunday because that’s when I set aside time to do mine, and most of us have lighter schedules and demands on Sunday. This weekly reset routine can be any day of the week.)
It’s about hitting that pause button on everyone else’s needs, allowing yourself to catch your breath, and getting ready to conquer the upcoming week’s goals with purpose and intention.
We often wear multiple hats – as mothers, spouses, professionals, and community leaders. The weekly reset offers us an opportunity to shed the weariness of the past week and embrace the possibilities of the week to come. It’s a combination of rest and recalibration of yourself, space and schedule.
It’s an opportunity to make your week MAGIC.
How Often Should You Have a Reset Day?
You might be wondering, “Is a weekly reset really necessary?” Girl, the answer is a [insert any four-letter cuss word here] yes!
A Sunday reset routine doesn’t just benefit you; it extends its magic to your loved ones too. By consistently dedicating time to refresh your mind, body, and surroundings, you create a positive ripple effect that influences your family and those around you.
You can also implement a minor daily reset routine every evening before bed. I talk about this in the book because it greatly helped me, especially after having kids. However, the weekly reset routine allows the daily resets to be manageable.
What is a Monthly Reset Routine?
In addition to your beloved Sunday reset routine, consider embracing a monthly reset. A great time to reset for the month is the last weekend of the previous month. (Usually 3-5 days before the new month begins.)
It’s an opportunity for self-reflection and goal setting for the next 30 days.
Once a month, take a few extra (uninterrupted, if you can) hours to assess your progress, adjust your goals, and celebrate your wins. It seems like doing so isn’t a big deal, but it makes such a difference. It sows a seed of confidence while taking accountability of what didn’t get done. To me, it’s a powerful way to ensure that you’re always aligned with what matters most, making the most of each moment.
Ok, the Sunday reset routine – let’s get into it.
The Sunday Reset Routine
Your Sunday reset routine is your personal symphony, composed of carefully curated tasks that bring harmony to your life. Maybe you let the kids get quiet or screen time, light a candle (my current favorite) and allow yourself a couple of hours to dive into your routine. Here’s a glimpse of what you could do during your routine:
Put Away Laundry: Start your Sunday by putting away the laundry. Don’t be emotional about it, just get it done.
Because this can take a lot of time, I like to set a timer to give me a sense of urgency. This also does not have to be done alone. Delegate to your partner and kids to put their clothes away to get it done faster. The act of tidying up also clears mental clutter, making space for a fresh perspective.
Prep Backpacks for School (and Activities): Making sure that backpacks are ready (so you don’t have to worry about it in the morning) and things like uniforms or outfits are pulled (+ steamed or ironed) is really helpful.
My youngest is in preschool, so having his naptime bedding washed & in his backpack on Sunday night is one less thing to do Monday morning.
Prep Lunches for Kids & Batch it For Yourself: If you make your kids’ lunch for school, embrace make ahead lunch. Make it the night before and free yourself from laboring in the morning. And it goes without saying but to save money and eat much more healthy meals, make your own lunch.
Even if you work from home, meal prepping your lunch saves you so much time (and money!). If you like a certain kind of lunch (maybe a salmon rice bowl), batch it on Sunday afternoon so it’s ready for the first couple of days of the week.
Meal Plan for the Week: One of the decisions that take so much energy when we make it in real time during the week is what we’re going to eat. This is especially true when you’re making the decisions for your family.
Get a meal planner or pen & paper and write down what you plan to eat for ALL meals (not just dinner). Knowing what you’re going to eat for every meal, every day ahead of time is a lifesaver. This isn’t just about writing down every thing you’re going to cook, also include when you plan to order takeout. It’s about eliminating real time decision making.
Batch Cook: A couple of hours on a Sunday is a great time to batch meals for the week or month. Whether it’s baking muffins to grab and go in the morning for the upcoming week or even making a few freezer meals for later on in the month when you have hectic days – your future self will love you for this.
Plan Out the Week in Your Planner: Your planner is your trusty sidekick in this journey. Set aside time to outline your appointments, tasks, and goals for the week. Whether you’re a digital planner aficionado or a lover of pen and paper, this step sets the stage for a productive week ahead. When you write tasks down and make it part of your weekly plan, you close tabs in your head.
Vacuum the High Traffic Areas: I don’t think you have to clean the entire house every single week, but once a week, I think it’s best to vacuum the high traffic areas. For us, that includes the kitchen, dinner table area, living room and foyer.
Vacuum the Car: As a mom, your car often becomes a sanctuary for snacks, toys, and cherished memories. A quick vacuum session not only keeps your car in clean but also provides a quiet moment of solitude as you tidy up. I love this cordless vacuum because it has attachments to easily make it a hand vac perfect for vacuuming the car.
Clear Countertops: Clearing the countertops in your kitchen and bathroom really allows you to walk into two of the most used rooms in your home with clarity and peace because there’s no clutter facing you. Our kitchen is the center of our home and because we use our bathrooms multiple times a day, clearing the counters allows us to walk into order which becomes the unofficial theme of the week.
Unload/Load the Dishwasher: The kitchen is the heart of your home, and maintaining its orderliness can be therapeutic. Whether it’s unloading yesterday’s dishes or prepping for the week, this task adds a touch of rhythm to your reset routine.
Plan Your Outfits for the Week: Deciding what to wear each morning can be a daunting task. By selecting and arranging your outfits for the upcoming week, you gift yourself a few extra minutes of peace every day.
Having a MAGIC uniform (I talk about this in the book as well) where you decide what you wear on a certain day is more helpful than you think. For instance, on Mondays I always wear jeans. ALWAYS. Having that rule in place allows me to not think much about my look on Monday because I know it just has to be something that goes with jeans.
Plan Out Your Rest: Many times we don’t ever rest because we don’t plan for it. Schedule a bath, a massage or whatever activity allows you to rest your mind and body for the week. Decide when you’re going to rest and get it done.
Even if it’s not on the list above, do whatever task necessary to help you start the week more prepared. That’s the entire point of the Sunday Reset Routine. To set you up for success.
To make everyday MAGIC, the Sunday reset routine allows you to actualize having moments of self-care, productivity, and meaning for the week ahead. It’s not just transforming your week – you’re nurturing your spirit and setting yourself (and your household) up for success, not just for the week but for month, quarter and eventually the year.
Don’t have one? Promise yourself to start this following Sunday. Create your own Sunday reset routine with intention, meaning, and joy. It will become the fuel to your week.
