How to Do a Sunday Reset

I live for Sundays. They’ve become synonymous with slow romanticized mornings, hot girl walks with friends, everything showers (CGM and pump site change out included), and much-needed resets. Scrolling through Sunday reset content on social media leaves me feeling incredibly satisfied (I love a clean and tidy space), but if I’m being honest, it can also make me feel… a little bit unproductive. Are these people really getting all of that stuff done in one day? Why can’t I deep clean our kitchen, food prep, go to the farmer’s market, hot girl walk, rot on the couch, and bake gluten-free apple muffins in the span of an afternoon?

In reality, lately if feels like I plan out everything I want to accomplish for Sunday, and then task paralysis sets in, and I end up doing nothing. I may or may not rot on my couch, scrolling on my phone all day because I’m overwhelmed. I desperately needed to give my Sundays a makeover and do things that felt good for me at my own pace and that would leave me feeling refreshed AND ready to take on the new week.

There’s power in an intentional Sunday reset, especially when it comes to mental health. By taking time to relax and recharge, I notice my stress levels are considerably lower throughout the rest of the week and I feel more energized. But the key is not to copy your favorite influencer’s Sunday reset but to personalize your Sunday reset to your needs, goals, and lifestyle. Read on for tips on how to personalize your Sunday reset for you.

Take time to reflect on how you normally spend your Sundays. Do you have a routine that you stick to? If you do, how is it serving you? Does it actually make you feel renewed, or is it made up of “must do items” and added pressure to do things perfectly? Are you spending Sundays meal prepping but then feeling overwhelmed with a messy kitchen come Monday? Are your Sundays such heavy chore days you actually dread them (hi, it’s me)? Resets aren’t for doing all the things that you didn’t get done through the week–the idea of a Sunday reset is to hit pause, take care of yourself, and set yourself up for a successful week ahead, whatever that looks like for you. Pinpointing what isn’t working with your current reset is the first step to personalizing it so it can work better for you.

2. Manifest your ideal Sunday

In an ideal world, how would you like to spend your Sundays? Are you spending the day cleaning house and running errands, or are you relaxing on the couch with a Sarah J Maas book? Do you carve out time for friends and family, or do you need time alone to recharge before you start work on Monday? Allow yourself permission to dream without limits and get clear about what refuels your tank and what you want to manifest for your Sundays to feel refreshed for the new week. Grab your notebook and bullet journal about your ideal Sunday and what action steps you need to take to get there.

3. Reschedule your non-negotiables

Now that you know what’s not working and a picture of your ideal Sunday, it’s time to hone in on your non-negotiables. You may have discovered that you spend too much time on chores and not enough time on self-care, or vice versa. Decide on a few non-negotiables to prioritize above anything else, then try to move lesser tasks or appointments to earlier in the week. That way, you’ll have more time for the things you actually want to spend your Sunday doing. It was a huge wake up call for me to see how much housework I was actually doing on Sunday and how little rest I was actually allowing myself.

For example, one of my non-negotiables is meal prep; having food ready for the week saves me time and money. But I get overwhelmed by having to meal plan, grocery shop AND meal prep all on the same day. So now I meal plan on Friday and schedule our Instacart order for Saturday so that our fridge is already stocked come Sunday. This way I can focus solely on making our meals for the upcoming week on Sunday! No matter what your non-negotiables are, identify what can be rescheduled for another time during the week and what you want to keep on Sundays.

4. Let some tasks go

Don’t be afraid to let some tasks go completely. Will mopping the kitchen floors really make you feel reset at the beginning of the week, or is it just another to-do on your long checklist? Be realistic with yourself and only prioritize what’s necessary. No matter what social media says, you don’t actually have to “reset” all in one day. This was a big part of my Sunday reset makeover since my list of to-dos as a busy working Mama felt never-ending. One big task I let go of was tidying my entire house on Sunday, which didn’t leave time for much else, namely quiet time for myself. Instead, I only focus on a light “pick up” on Sunday focusing on the higher traffic areas like the kitchen/living room. I have allotted time through the week to accomplish bigger chores which also keeps the house maintained. Whether it’s breaking up a bigger task into bite sized pieces or skipping grocery shopping in person for Instacart, scale down your to-do list in the name of your well-being and health.

5. Do something only for you

Be sure at least one of your non-negotiables is self-care. Carving out time just for you will prevent burnout, so prioritize an activity that feels nourishing for you. Whether it’s spending time outdoors, connecting with friends, or indulging in a delicious afternoon nap, recharge your physical and emotional tanks. Other ideas include going for a walk, working out, reading, catching up on your favorite show, or journaling. Finding something that centers you will give you the boost you need to tackle whatever comes your way once the weeks starts. Consider it an important investment to recharge your energy, and it will make Sundays actually enjoyable. I finished Sarah J. Mass’s ACOTAR series so naturally I dove into the Throne of Glass series next, and my absolute favorite part of the weekend has been curling up on the couch and reading with a cup of coffee.

6. Plan out your simplified Sunday reset

With non-negotiables top of mind, make adjustments to your existing Sunday reset. Simplifying your reset so that it only includes what’s most important to you will make your life feel easier and happier. If your Sunday non-negotiables are meal prep, an hour to take a hot girl walk with friends, and an everything shower, your revitalized Sunday routine might look something like this:

Morning: Sleep in, eat breakfast, go for a hot girl walk

Afternoon: Meal prep with a podcast or audio book, do one of your “housekeeping” chores

Evening: Take your everything shower, have yummy dinner, and go to bed early

7. Be gentle with yourself

A consistent Sunday routine that makes you FEEL your best is the goal. Keep in mind your energy levels aren’t the same every week, and things come up. It’s OK if you don’t stick to your regimen and your Sundays look different from week to week. The important thing is to continue checking in with yourself to make sure your Sunday reset feels supportive to you, your needs and your goals. If you need a whole Sunday to relax, take it! Or, if you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by a growing to-do list, take advantage of a free day and tackle it. As a recovering perfectionist, I often need the reminder to not judge myself for just being instead of producing. It’s OK to have spontaneous afternoons out with friends or days when you don’t leave the couch unless it’s to refill your popcorn bowl.

Be kind to yourself and remember the whole purpose of the Sunday reset is to feel happier in your life. If it’s adding stress or too much structure, you’ve lost the whole point friends!