I started this habit of a Sunday reset when my kids were small. I was experimenting with ways to make Monday mornings less stressful and to set our week up for success as a family. Now, almost 20 years later, I still do my “Sunday Reset” tasks. They have become my way of stacking the deck in my favor. To ensure I do the things that matter most to me and to reduce stress on busy work and school days. I hope some of these ideas help you!

Do a Top to Bottom Sweep of the House

In the days of kids being at home, we would all divide and conquer when returning home after church! As soon as my kids were old enough to help clean, fold laundry or vacuum, I had them participating. With the whole family pitching in, we could usually clean the whole house in about an hour or two. Now that we are empty nesters, we don’t have anyone else to delegate work to, but it still only takes us about an 1 hour or so to clean the whole house. It stays cleaner now too! Here are a few of the things we tackle when cleaning:

• Wiping Down the Bathroom
• Wiping Down the Kitchen Appliances
• Hanging Clothes up and Tidying Closets
• Vacuum/Mopping Floors
• Watering Plants

Only do Dreaded Tasks Once a Week

I know there are many schools of thought on how to tackle household chores, but I am a huge proponent of only doing dreaded tasks once a week. No one wants to be doing laundry every day! At least I don’t. I would rather do 4 loads all on one day and then not have to think about it for another six days. It takes the same amount of time, and yet one does not drain your energy and focus on a daily basis.

• Laundry
• Wash Linens
• Junk Mail

Meal Planning and Grocery Ordering

I usually clean the fridge and make note of what I have to work with that week. I sit down and take about 30 minutes to think through our week and make a meal plan. I use a recipe app that automatically populates a grocery list based on the recipes I plan on making that week. In the old days I would make a paper grocery list on Sunday that I would then purchase on Monday. Now I splurge for Instacart and Walmart delivery service and place my grocery order on Sunday. I can do both Costco and grocery store orders this way. It is delivered right to my front door and I don’t even have to leave my house! I am not just saving time; this has also saved me a ton of money because I am not impulse purchasing. Even with the delivery tip, I am usually saving money. 

• Clean Fridge
• Meal Plan
• Make Grocery List

Restocking Supplements and Snacks

One of my biggest pet peeves is having to open a dozen different containers to take my daily supplements or make a protein shake. When you are busy and on the run, make it easy on yourself to stay consistent with your supplements and health routines. On Sundays I restock both my AM and PM supplement packs, my protein shake bar and my snack drawer. I keep several glass jars on a low shelf in my pantry with pop off lids for all my protein and supplement powders. I can throw a shake together in about 30 seconds flat with no clean up. It is also good to keep healthy grab and go snack options handy rather than relying on fast food. I always try to keep a basket of meat sticks, nut packs and protein bars handy for those days you are running out the door.

• Protien Powders
• Vitamin Packs
• Snack Drawer

Take Some Quiet Down Time

Life can feel too busy and full sometimes. It was a gamechanger when we started protecting our Sundays as a family. We made every effort not to make scheduled activities or social commitments on that day. Our goal was to be done with chores in the afternoon so we could have a lazy family day together. We guarded it as a time of rest and connection before another busy week began. When the kids were little, Sunday’s were about hanging out as a family; reading, playing games and watching movies. There is something really relaxing about having your house in order and having the rest of the day to just chill out.

Pampering Beauty Routines

I often use this down time to pamper myself a little. I will sometimes do a face mask, take a bubble bath or paint my nails. There is something pretty wonderful about staying home in your comfies and allowing time to do self-care. I encourage you to do whatever calms, restores and relaxes you. What would set you up for a productive week? Taking care of you is important. Especially in these sometimes too busy seasons of life!

• Face Masks
• Paint Nails
• Bubble Bath

Have a Calendar Meeting

Touching base about all the moving parts of your schedule is good to do on a weekly basis. Making sure everyone knows the commitments and flow of the week. I would like to say that we do this consistently – but we don’t. But on the weeks we make this conversation a priority, our week goes much smoother. Having a shared calendar app is also really helpful, especially in the season of kid’s activities and sports. There can be a lot of moving parts in today’s modern life… reduce frustration and miscommunication by syncing calendars and having regular conversations about activities and commitments. You will thank me later!

I hope a few of these tips and tricks help you and your family start the week out with less stress. A little organization and rest can go a long way in how you feel Monday morning! Once you incorporate a few of these things into your weekly rhythm, I think you will feel the difference – and so will your family!