Set Yourself Up for Success: 5 Things to do on Sunday for a Better Week
“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.”
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Sunday is one of my favorite days. They’re typically slow-paced. We attend church, spend time together as a family, and almost always take naps! Sunday is also the perfect day to set yourself up for a successful week. With a little bit of planning and a few small actions, you can ensure that your week goes smoothly. Here are five things that I do (and that you can do too) on Sunday to prepare for a better week ahead.
Rest:
First and foremost, take time to rest. If God rested on the seventh day, then we can certainly find time to rest and recharge before jumping into a new week. There are so many wonderful ways to rest. You can take a nap, read a book, take a bubble bath, or simply enjoy some quiet time. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something that you enjoy and that helps you relax and rejuvenate.
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Plan:
Next up, plan for the week ahead. Planning helps you to stay organized and focused on your goals. It also will save you time and frustration during the week. Not only will you know what to expect each day and not have to waste precious time figuring it out, you will also be able to get everyone in your household on the same page. You can read an entire post about my weekly planning routine here. In short, grab a planner or notebook and jot down your schedule, to-do list, and any important reminders. Make sure you’re also planning for self-care activities like workouts, meals, and leisure time. You can read more about meal-planning here.
Grocery Shop:
Once you’ve planned your week, it's time to grocery shop. Grocery shopping ahead of time helps you save time and money. You can create a grocery list based on your meal plan for the week and stick to it while shopping. This way, you'll avoid unnecessary purchases and stay on track with your healthy eating goals. Alternatively, you can order your grocery items for curbside pick-up or delivery and then while you’re waiting for the order to be completed you can use that time to rest!
Meal Prep:
After grocery shopping, meal prep can be a great way to save time and stress during the week. I like to prep lunches and snacks as I’m putting the groceries away. This way I’m not wasting time putting stuff away only to drag it back out to prep it. You can prepare snacks, meals, and anything else you might need throughout the week and store them in the fridge or freezer. This way, you’ll have healthy options on hand, even when you're short on time (i.e., on Monday morning).
Tidy-Up:
Lastly, take some time to straighten up the house. Have the kids pick-up any toys that they’ve dragged throughout the house. Load and start the dishwasher. Fold and put away the laundry (hint: we wash the laundry on Saturday and then put it away on Sunday – this means that laundry never gets too out of control). Have the kids lay their clothes out for Monday morning and check their backpacks for anything you might need to sign and send back to the teachers. A clean and organized home can have a positive impact on your mental health and productivity and set you up for success come Monday morning.
And that's it! With these five activities, you can set yourself up for a better week. Take some time to rest, plan, grocery shop, meal prep, and tidy-up. I look at these weekly actions as acts of self-care because I know they are setting me and my family up for a positive start to the week. So, grab a cup of tea, put on your favorite playlist, and enjoy your Sunday self-care session!
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