Realistic Sunday Routine Reset for Working Moms
While most of the world is casually cruising into the workweek during Sunday evenings, lounging around in PJs, most working moms are already in a rush mood. Even if you try to follow a certain Sunday routine, you might still be anxious as you consider how to prepare for the week ahead.
Sunday routines can allow you to set the tone for a successful week, but if you think realistically about what needs to be done, there is little time for lounging. However, don’t despair, your Sunday doesn’t have to be a mad-rush to get every little task done before Monday’s alarm. Below I cover some of my top tips for building a Sunday routine that will have you saying goodbye to the Sunday Scaries- for good!
I know firsthand how Sundays can feel like a whirlwind of preparation and anticipation for the week ahead. That’s why I’ve created a comprehensive guide, ‘How to Plan a Stress-Free Week Without Burnout’, specially designed to help busy moms like us reclaim control of our schedules. Download your free guide and transform your Sundays into a foundation for a balanced, stress-free week.
I used to wake up every weekday to a whirlwind of schedules, last-minute errands, and a fridge that looked like a vegetable graveyard. Total mayhem! I knew it was time for a change.
I sat down one Sunday with my trusty planner and started plotting out the week. I also enlisted the fam in a cleaning spree and meal prepped a few days worth of dinners. We’d spend the rest of the day spending quality time with outings and just relaxing. That Sunday routine? It became our secret weapon against weekday chaos.
What you do on a Sunday could save you precious hours during weekdays. Instead of walking into the week scattered and already anxious about how things will go, you can build a successful (and calming) environment for yourself and your family.
The Importance of a Sunday Routine
As working moms, we all struggle with juggling multiple responsibilities. It’s a ceaseless merry-go-round of obligations between home, family and career. Any idea of leisure, rest and reset is basically non-existent for most of us. But then there’s Sunday.
Sundays provide us with a unique opportunity to reset our minds and bodies before stepping into another busy week. And Sunday routines serve a unique purpose. Planning a Sunday routine can provide you a time to restore your energy, prepare your family for the week and plan for what’s ahead.
Setting supportive routines is not just about doing laundry or grocery shopping. It’s more about finding a balance between preparation, self-care, and relaxation. We can break down an ideal Sunday routine into three areas:
- Preparation: This will include cleaning, decluttering, goal-setting and meal prep. Having a clean, decluttered environment reduces stress, while goal-setting enhances focus throughout the week. Meal prepping opens up more time for you. We’ll also talk about time blocking in order to get things done faster.
- Relaxation: Use Sundays as an opportunity to relax, be with your family, and prepare yourself professionally and personally. This proves extremely beneficial to refresh yourself and allows you to feel like more than a 9-5 workaholic.
- Self-Care: Self-care is often overlooked by many due to their hectic schedules, but remember – You cannot pour from an empty cup. Prioritizing self-care rituals will help replenish your energy levels for the busy week ahead.
Preparation in a Sunday Routine
Preparing for the week ahead will include a lot of things, but there are only a few things that matter the most. Some of the most important tasks you can do are cleaning and decluttering, meal prepping and batch cooking, and creating goals and using your time wisely.
If you incorporate supportive routines into your Sunday morning or night, you’ll have an easier start (and finish!) to your week.
1. Cleaning and Decluttering
Start your Sunday routine by tidying up your living space. A clean, clutter-free environment reduces stress and boosts focus. Look at your schedule and see if you can dedicate an hour on Sundays to cleaning and decluttering. If you include laundry on Sundays, you’ll be ready with a load of clean clothes for the week ahead.
A note about dishes. I know that being a working mom means you won’t necessarily be able to keep up with dishes during the week, but who wants to spend over an hour just catching up on dishes during the weekend? Let’s avoid that and do some dishes daily, and creating a regular cleaning schedule.
Remember, decluttering is a separate task from cleaning. In general, you’ll have to declutter before you clean. Here are 3 steps to make your decluttering much simpler:
- Create designated spaces: Assign specific areas for items to avoid misplacement.
- Daily decluttering: Put things back where they belong immediately after use.
- Purge regularly: Dispose of unnecessary items periodically to prevent accumulation.
For those unfamiliar with the decluttering process or seeking motivation, these steps are a great starting point for improving one’s lifestyle. You’ll be surprised how small steps can lead to significant changes over time.
2. Meal Planning and Prepping
Now if you really want to save time and get a jump on your week, create a meal plan and do some meal prepping. It’s a great healthy habit to adopt. Not only will you save time cooking dinner throughout the week, you’ll be able to keep to your dietary goals. Here’s how meal planning can fit into your Sunday routine.
Use Pinterest For Meal Ideas
Take time on a Sunday morning or early afternoon to create a Pinterest board dedicated to weekly meal plans.
Pinterest is perfect for finding new recipes and organizing them to fit your family’s needs. Search for healthy, quick meals or specific dietary needs like gluten-free or vegan options. You can use this board as an easy reference for creating grocery lists and for your meal prep.
Start small with dinners, then add breakfasts and lunches. Soon, you’ll save money on groceries and stress less about what to have for dinner.
Save Time with Batch Cooking
Working moms know the importance of time management, especially in the kitchen. So how can you be time efficient in meal prepping during your Sunday routine? Batch cooking! Batch cooking is the process of making large quantities of food and storing them in portions for later.
When you incorporate meal planning, prepping and batch cooking into your Sunday routine, your routine reset will be an instant success.
A few tips for making batch cooking work for you:
- Choose recipes that freeze well: Soups, stews, casseroles are all great choices.
- Invest in quality storage containers: Opt for BPA-free plastic or glass jars with tight lids.
- Label everything: Include date cooked/prepared and reheating instructions if needed.
With batch cooking, you’ll always have something nutritious ready, even on busy days. No more takeout.
To create a meal plan that works for your busy mom life, check out How to Create the Easiest Meal Plan for Busy Moms.
3. Goal Setting and Time Blocking
The secret to a productive week lies in the groundwork you lay on Sunday. Set clear, achievable goals for the upcoming week and schedule your time effectively to accomplish them.
Effective Goal Setting Techniques
To start goal setting effectively, first break down your larger monthly goals into smaller weekly tasks. This makes them more manageable and less overwhelming. Consider using SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) Goals. They help provide clarity by ensuring that each goal is well-defined and has a specific timeline attached to it.
- Specific: Your goals should be clear-cut, with no room for ambiguity.
- Measurable: You need to have a way of tracking progress towards achieving your goal.
- Achievable: While it’s good to aim high, make sure your goals are within reach given available resources and constraints.
- Relevant: Your goals should align with broader business or personal objectives.
- Time-bound: You must set deadlines for achieving your goals as this creates urgency and prompts action.
Understanding the Time Blocking Method
Once you’ve listed out what must be done, it’s time to determine when those activities will occur. Here’s where the concept of time blocking comes in handy. Unlike traditional ‘to-do’ lists which can become never-ending, time blocking helps allocate specific periods during the day for focused work on particular tasks. It encourages productivity while reducing stress caused by multitasking.
- Start Small: Create blocks of 15-30 minutes initially until you get used to this method.
- Batch Similar Tasks: Schedule similar activities together, like responding to emails or making phone calls.
- Prioritize: Dedicate your prime working hours towards the most important assignments.
Incorporating both effective goal-setting techniques, along with strategic time-blocking methods, into your Sunday routine can significantly enhance productivity levels throughout the coming week. Planning ahead is key!
For additional time management strategies, check out 17 Essential Work Life Balance Tips for a Fulfilling Life.
Relaxation through Outdoor Activities and Family Time
Incorporating outdoor activities and family time into your Sunday routine can significantly aid mental clarity and boost your mood. It also ensures you and your family spend the quality time you need. You can do both by getting off the sofa and going out into the fresh air with your family.
Once you’ve done all the household chores and food prep, take a few hours Sunday afternoon or evening to do something together. Depending on the season, your options and limitations will be different for outdoor activities, but choose things that will keep you active yet relaxed.
Winter Outdoor Activities
Don’t let the cold winter weather prevent you from experiencing some fresh air. There are plenty of fun things to do in winter. You could go for a brisk walk around your neighborhood or local park. Just make sure to bundle up. If there’s snow, consider building a snowman with your kids or going sledding. These fun activities not only give you exercise but also provide quality bonding time with family:
- Snowball fights
- Sledding adventures
- Building a snowman or an igloo
- Ice skating
Summer Outdoor Adventures
In contrast, if it’s summer, take advantage of the warm weather with the large variety of activities for both kids and adults.
A bike ride is always refreshing, while hiking trails offer great opportunities to connect with nature. If you live near water like lakes or beaches, swimming might be an excellent option too:
- Biking trips
- Hiking trails exploration
- Picnics at parks/beaches
No matter what activity you choose, remember that Sundays should include relaxing and recharging. So pick something enjoyable rather than strenuous. This way, you’ll start off Monday feeling refreshed instead of worn out. Remember, balance is key when planning any routine.
Self-Care Routines
In the chaos of a working mom’s life, self-care often takes a backseat. Unfortunately, the same goes for the weekends. You might find yourself at a soccer game, shopping, or doing mounds of laundry, still only having a few minutes to yourself.
We are all about caring for our family, but just like relaxing with your family is important, there needs to be a priority on self-care. It’s called the weekend wind-down for a reason! Having a Sunday routine for self-care seems like the perfect plan.
Here are some ideas for self-care, no matter if your personality fits into being an introvert or extrovert.
Introvert-Friendly Self-Care Ideas
For those preferring to be alone or needing a break after a chaotic week, here are some ideas for unwinding on Sundays:
- Dive into books and get lost in different worlds. It’s like a mini vacation for your mind.
- Indulge in long baths and create a spa-like effect with your favorite bath bombs or salts.
- Go to bed early and a good night’s rest.
- Or my personal favorite- some gentle stretching/yoga followed by skin and hair masks! Nothing makes me feel more rejuvenated!
Extrovert-Friendly Self-Care Suggestions
If you’re an extrovert who recharges by being around others, why not plan a weekly brunch with friends? Or join group activities like fitness classes or book clubs? Working out and going to the gym reduces stress and boosts overall health – perfect for gearing up for the week ahead.
No matter your personality, find activities that recharge your batteries so you can tackle the workweek like a boss. Remember: self-care isn’t selfish, it’s necessary.
The key is consistency. Make your chosen activity (or non-activity) part of your regular Sunday routine. And don’t forget: it’s okay to just lie on the couch watching funny sitcoms on Netflix sometimes. The goal is relaxation and replenishment, not productivity.
FAQs in Relation to Sunday Routine
Conclusion
In conclusion, establishing a Sunday routine is crucial for working moms to maintain a balanced and organized life.
By incorporating cleaning and decluttering into your routine, you can create a clean and peaceful environment that promotes productivity. With a clear mind, set your goals for the week and practice time blocking to help prioritize tasks effectively. Save time during the busy week with meal planning and prepping.
You’ll definitely see that once all of this is out of the way, you’ll have more time and less stress for enjoying some activities, preferably outdoors, with your family.
Lastly, indulging in self-care rituals is not a tag-on to the end of a Sunday night, but instead should be held as a priority for every mom.
And there you go! As you can see, working moms can establish a realistic Sunday routine that sets you up for success throughout the week. From maintaining cleanliness at home to prioritizing self-care needs, it’s important to create supportive habits that will help you achieve a well-balanced lifestyle while managing your responsibilities to your family and to your week ahead.
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Hi I’m Yesenia,
a working mom of two kids. I’ve experienced all of the beautiful and crazy moments of early parenthood: breastfeeding, picky eaters, toilet training, balancing work with kids, and the list continues!
I created Hard Knock Mama to help working moms navigate through their child’s early years and find a successful balance in their home, work, and life.
