Sunday Reset Checklist: 12 Easy Tasks To Kickstart Your Week
Do you ever feel overwhelmed at the thought of yet another week with an endless to-do list?
Sunday afternoons were the worst for me. I could feel the stresses of the upcoming week coming on – and I felt exhausted already.
Then I discovered the power of a calming Sunday reset checklist. And how a few simple Sunday routines could really pull me together and prepare me for a well-grounded Monday (that didn’t include panicked emails and coffee on an empty stomach).
But my version of a Sunday reset does not include decluttering your entire kitchen, steam cleaning your carpets and dusting every surface of the house.
Because honestly, I don’t have the energy for that kind of deep cleaning. And I don’t need another thankless to-do list on a day that’s meant for relaxing and taking it easy.
Instead, my Sunday reset is effortless and actionable with small tasks that kickstart my dopamine and motivate me for the week ahead.
My reset includes a few easy routines that take just a few minutes. But they make a big impact and leave me feeling invigorated, organized and refreshed.
So here’s my ultimate Sunday reset checklist for a smooth week ahead.
1. Do the laundry. Throw all your sheets and bedding into the washer on a gentle cycle, then into the dryer with your favorite fabric softener. There’s nothing like drifting off into sleep on crisp, fresh bedding.
The 5-minute option: Change your pillow cases, air out heavy blankets and spray your sheets with some luxurious linen spray.
2. Dust your indoor plants. Dust creates a dull barrier that slows down photosynthesis and keeps your plants from getting the sunlight they need. Dusty, lackluster plants are also depressing to look at. Give your plants a quick sweep to restore their vibrant, green hues and make your home feel more alive.
3. Make a new to-do list. If you’re like me, you probably have a half dozen different notebooks, screenshots and notepad entries laying around. Organize all those notes into a single coherent list that puts your priorities clearly at the top. Or, better yet, try a bullet journal for a systematic way to organize all those stray thoughts.
4. Start a new book. Bid farewell to the novel that’s been lingering unfinished for weeks on your nightstand. Crack open a new book that you’re actually excited to start and read the first chapter. Don’t force yourself to power through a book that you’re just not enjoying.
If you haven’t read in awhile (and if you need to re-train your attention span) use these 27 strategies to read more books – even when you’re busy.
5. Watch a documentary. Stop the doom scrolling and take a breather with a short documentary on YouTube that dives into a topic you’re curious about (Vietnamese cuisine, gardening, modern art). The idea is to spark your sense of wonder and awe. Feeding your curiosity leaves you far better rested and refreshed than a Netflix series binge.
6. Make a nourishing meal. Throw those stray veggies in your fridge into a hearty salad topped with homemade garlic dressing. Pop some diced potatoes into the oven sprinkled with rosemary and olive oil for a fragrant dinner. Take your time and savor some time in the kitchen to craft a meal that you wouldn’t normally have time for.
Pro tip: make large portions and store the leftovers in tupperware for quick meals for the week ahead.
7. Write a gratitude journal. It’s easy to get down on yourself when your weekend wasn’t very exciting and your week ahead isn’t looking any better. Set a timer for 15 minutes and write a list of everything you’re thankful for. Get detailed and descriptive and let yourself feel the life-affirming power of gratitude. A gratitude journal will immediately put you in a better mood – it’s a life-saver if you’re feeling anxious or depressed.
8. Eat the frog. Do that one difficult thing that you’ve been procrastinating. “Eat a live toad the first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day,” Mark Twain wrote. The frog is a metaphor for anything you’re been dreading. Is there a dentist appointment you’ve been meaning to make? An email you’ve been putting off writing?
9. Put your phone away. Don’t give into the temptation to wile away your entire Sunday on AI cat videos and fish soup tutorials. Doom scrolling is all too irresistible when you just want to zone out and forget about all your problems. But it won’t really leave you as well-rested as reading an engrossing novel or collaging in an art journal.
If you’ve been spending hours on your phone lately – and if you feel too powerless to stop – do this digital detox to get your attention span back.
10. Create a new playlist. Forget about your go-to genre and dive into something new, whether that’s Libyan reggae or smooth jazz. Move along to the music to get your blood flowing with some stress-relieving yoga stretches or heart-pumping cardio.
11. Declutter 3 items. Those broken plastic sunglasses? That dusty box of incense you don’t like the scent of? The knot of unidentifiable computer wires? Get rid of them (and discover a few hidden gems you probably didn’t even know you had).
12. Pick up some groceries and treat yourself. A well-stocked fridge for the week ahead gives you lots of options for afternoon snacks and effortless late-night dinners. And while you’re at the grocery store, pick up a new potted plant for your work desk and a print magazine to give your hands an alternative to doom scrolling.
And that’s my list of quick things to do for an easy Sunday reset. These little routines always leave me refreshed and inspired to start the new week, no matter how burnt out I feel.
Read next:
How To Simplify Your Life: 8 Quiet Shifts For Calmer Days
6 Habits In My Evening Routine That Changed Everything
10 Powerful Journal Prompts For Self-Esteem And Confidence
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