If you’re on social media a lot, you’ll probably have seen a lot of influencers doing a Sunday reset. I first saw it on YouTube from Carter Sullivan and was inspired to make my own routine. However, I find that I don’t always do it on a Sunday. Instead, I can do it on any day of the week if I feel like it (usually on a Saturday or a Monday). I’ve gathered my top tips on how to set up a weekly reset as well as the various tasks to include.
HOW TO SET UP A WEEKLY RESET
Before we get into the types of tasks you can include, let’s first look at actually how to set up a weekly reset. It’s something you might not think about and just get on with. However, it could be a good idea to think about why you’re doing your reset and if you could make any changes first.
Set up a minimum routine
For me, this is changing my bedding, planning the next week out, doing a bit of housework, and treating myself to some self-care before bed. This is the lazy girl version of the weekly reset for those days when you’re in a bit of a funk but you need to get a handful of things done. This routine should take you less than an hour in total so you can have the rest of the day to relax and rejuvenate.
Write your ideal weekly reset down
Whether it’s a laminated sheet or a Notion page, jot down your ideal weekly reset that you can tick off every task. You could have multiple routines, such as my minimum routine, a mid-energy level routine, and a high-energy level routine. Alternatively, you could make a different routine for the various weeks in the month. Weeks 1 and 3 could be more of a deep clean, week 2 is dedicated to more relaxation, and week 4 is all about organising yourself for the following month. Work out various routines if you want to because your weekly reset doesn’t have to be set in stone!
Batch similar tasks together
Never split up similar tasks because you won’t find any motivation to go back to them. For example, doing a bit of cleaning, saying you’ll finish it later, and you never do. Get that cleaning out of the way, as early as possible if you can, then you can enjoy the rest of the day.
Split your day into categories
Similar to the point above, dedicate certain time blocks for certain tasks. You don’t have to time block your entire day but it could be the morning is perfect for cleaning, the afternoon is for getting organised and prepped for next week, and the evening is for self-care and relaxing. That’s the formula I tend to use as it feels the most logical. A tidy house means a tidy mind, then an organised mind means I can fully relax.
Have a running to-do list of niggly tasks
If you’re like me, you probably have a tonne of tasks that you need to do but keep putting off. Why not gather them all up in one place (written down, as a note on your phone, or online somewhere) and see if you can tick them off gradually? This is a running to-do list so you’ll add to it throughout the year. You could use spare time in your weekly reset to get one or multiple tasks done. Maybe you need to repaint a wall or put up some photo frames? You could organise the list in terms of duration, such as 10, 30, and 60 minutes tasks. Then you can just take what you feel like doing on the day!
Allow time for fun
Again, this looks different for everyone. For me, it’s catching up on TV or YouTube whilst I’m bullet journalling, or having a pamper session in the evening. For you, it might be having an hour to dedicate to a hobby, or sitting down to watch a movie or read a book.
TASKS TO INCLUDE ON YOUR WEEKLY RESET
Now we’ve had a think about how to set up a weekly reset, now we can look at what tasks to include. Of course, this will vary for each person, depending on the size of your space, and the number of people in your household. It also depends on your energy levels so don’t try to cram every single idea into every weekend! I’ve split this section up into categories too to make it easier to decide: organisation, housework, errands, and self-care.
ORGANISATION
Have a brain dump
The very first thing I do for a weekly reset is to have a brain dump. Whilst my routine looks similar every week, I’d say 20% of it alters. I’ll sit down with a pen and notepad and jot down every task I’d like to do. Once that is done, I try to prioritise the tasks in order of urgency. Even if I’m short on time, I’ll at least try to do a bit of cleaning and planning my week.
Write your weekly review
Before I get set up for a new week, I like to look back at the previous week. It’s not something I spend too long doing, just 15 minutes maximum. I’ll write down what went well, what didn’t go so well, and how to improve for next week. I also set some goals for the week and have a think about which habits I want to focus on.
Set up a meal plan
I always try to use up what’s in the house first before buying new items. Whilst I do plan out my meals, I tend not to write what specific meal I’ll be having each day. Instead, I’ll plan out seven dinners and seven teas, and just pick what I fancy on the day. This also makes food shopping much easier because I know what meals I’ll be cooking.
Write up a food shopping list
You should always make a list before you go shopping! We go shopping every Saturday morning (we take my grandparents) and whilst we usually get the same items, it can vary a little. I make the same meals regularly but might just switch it up with spices or sauces. We also freeze quite a lot of items, such as bread, meat, and vegetables. It keeps your food shop lower as you already have a plan going in.
Organise your week in advance
One of my favourite parts of my weekly reset is sitting down to plan my week. Currently, I use a mixture of Google Calendar, Asana, and a bullet journal. I tend to start on Google Calendar and I like to see my week-to-view, plus it’s easier to move things around. Then I’ll see what I have scheduled in Asana before adding them all to my bullet journal. Here, I tend to plan out the month first and then add in my to-do lists for the week/day.
Schedule content
This won’t apply if you’re not a content creator or a business but Sundays are a great time to get creative! Again, I try to plan out content monthly but write and schedule it weekly. If I’ve already got it drafted, I’ll sit down on a Sunday to double-check it before scheduling it.
Inbox zero
Starting a Monday morning with an empty inbox feels like a dream, trust me! Usually, I’ll do this task when watching TV or YouTube because it doesn’t require too much brain power. Unsubscribe from newsletters, organise emails into folders, and make sure to add in an ‘To action’ folder for emails to reply to on Monday morning,
Have a digital declutter
Whilst you’re at your computer, how about going through your documents, downloads, and photos? Delete the ones that are of no use and file away the ones you want to keep. I move everything to my external hard drive so it doesn’t clog up my laptop. I only keep the stuff that I need quickly, such as upcoming blog post photos and client work. I’d also recommend sorting through your phone and transferring anything to your computer too.
HOUSEWORK
Change bedding and towels
If you’re going to do any form of housework every week, it should be to change your bedding and towels. During the winter, I do this fortnightly because I don’t sweat in bed and sleep alone! Now the weather is improving, we might even get to dry them outdoors. What a win!
Do laundry
Whilst you’re washing your bedding and towels, how about doing more laundry whilst you can be bothered? I actually use laundry loads as a sort of power hour. Stick the machine on and use that time to whizz through your housework. You’d be surprised just how much you can get done in an average-sized house. I can usually get through vacuuming and cleaning at least two rooms.
Clean out the fridge and freezer
Before you go food shopping, why not give the fridge and freezer a quick wipe inside and outside? It’s rare we have anything out of date but throw those items away. Section off parts of your fridge and freezer for specific items so it’s easier to grab what you need. Grab a damp cloth and quickly clean the shelves and interior before moving to the exterior. A clean, empty-ish fridge is very satisfying, just as much as a fuller fridge is!
Clean the kitchen and bathroom
I actually don’t enjoy cleaning. However, I’ve found that if you clean more often, it actually makes it easier. I’m also not an expert cleaner. Most of the time, I’ll just use an anti-bacterial spray and a cloth! I tend to do a more thorough clean on a monthly basis so just wiping down countertops, handles, and cupboards is usually enough!
Vacuum
When I’ve done the cleaning, I vacuum. Because it gets more traffic, I vacuum downstairs weekly and upstairs fortnightly. As housework goes, it’s probably one of the tasks I like the most. I pop my headphones in and it doesn’t seem to take too long!
Empty the bins
And now one of my least favourite chores: the bins. I’m a strong, independent female until it comes to the bins. However, they still need to be emptied! On a Sunday, I’ll collect the bins from around the house and empty the recycling boxes. It’s not a job that takes that long to do but it’s definitely something I procrastinate on until the last minute!
Wipe down your tech products
Another task to do is to clean your electronic items. All you need is a specialist wipe for tech stuff and you’re good to go. Make sure to clean your computer, phone, tablet, and anything else!
General tidy and declutter
When the housework is complete, I like to do a bit of general tidying and decluttering around the house. We’re talking about moving items back to their original spots, going through the mail on the coffee table, and clearing any countertops in the bedroom and kitchen. I also like to tidy up my desk in the spare bedroom, ready to start work bright and early on Monday morning. Starting the work week with a messy desk is not the life for me.
ERRANDS
Do the food shop
I’ll let you in on a secret: I actually love food shopping! I usually try to tie it in with my other favourite type of shopping: bargain shopping! I’ll try to do the bulk of my shopping from Lidl but if I can swing by Home Bargains, B&M, and Herons, that’s the perfect way to spend a couple of hours! Sometimes, I’ll even go to a couple of supermarkets in case they have different offers!
Fill up with petrol
Whilst you’re out of the house, you might as well fill up your car. That’s why I like to do multiple errands in one go to save money! If you’re doing a big food shop, going in the car is basically a necessity so you might as well get everything done in one go. Maybe you need to pop to the Post Office or the bank during this trip!
Prep meals for the week
Meal prepping doesn’t have to be like a fitness guru. It can be as simple as chopping up some veg after buying or cooking a couple of chicken breasts to use throughout the week. My idea of meal prepping is usually just cooking an extra portion every time I cook to have the following day. You can make meal prepping as simple or as complicated as you like!
Review and update your budget
Finances are a sticky subject for many, especially in a cost-of-living crisis. However, I’ve found that since I started tracking my income and expenses, I’ve been able to live within my means much better. It allows you to see where you spending too much and set a budget to counteract it. Sitting down weekly to update my budget has helped me to cut back when I need to.
Wash your make-up brushes
Another niggly task that always feels satisfying when done (unless you don’t wear make-up). When I worked in an office and wore it every day, I’d wash my brushes weekly. Now I work from home and wear make-up once or twice a week, I can usually get away with washing them fortnightly.
Refill your vitamins organiser
In order to stay healthy, taking my vitamins is very important. That’s why I bought myself a new organiser and fill it up every Sunday evening after tea. It seems like a silly little task but it ensures I take them daily!
Charge all your electronics
Obviously, you’ll probably charge your laptop and phone daily but what about your Kindle, fitness tracker/Apple watch, or tablet? A Sunday morning or afternoon, when you’re not planning on doing anything, is the perfect time to charge them up.
Set out your outfits for the week
This is another task I used to do when I worked in an office. Now I work from home, there’s little need to. However, it used to save quite a few minutes every morning when I’d pre-chosen my outfits for the week.
SELF-CARE
Have a lie in
Sunday mornings were made for sleeping in. It’s a complete fallacy that you have to be up at the crack of dawn to be productive. You can wake up at 10am and still have a productive day. I usually sleep in until 8am or 9am, which isn’t a huge lie-in but it’s enough for me. You’re allowed to rest!
Treat yourself
This could be anything from grabbing a coffee before/after your food shop to an uninterrupted hour of reading in silence. Everybody’s version of treats is different but why not romanticize your life a little? I’m partial to chocolate and some quiet time. You might prefer flowers and some new coffee syrup. If you’re buying something, the idea is that it’s something small, like less than a tenner. Otherwise, treating yourself will eat into your budget massively!
Spend time with loved ones
If you want to fill up your cup, spend time with those closest to you. Whether you go out of the house or spend time at home, surround yourself with loved ones. You never know, you might have a meaningful conversation or a much-needed giggle!
Have an extended pamper session
When I’ve completed my weekly reset, I love to treat myself to a pamper session. I’ll grab a hair mask/face mask and do my ‘extra’ skincare routine. It’s my favourite way to wind down, especially after a productive Sunday! I’ll try to do this routine before getting into bed. For some reason, it always makes me feel sleepy!
Have a journalling session
I have a quick journal every morning but on a Sunday, I’ll often journal for a little longer. I usually just write a page or two, just to get any thoughts out of my head. It can be very therapeutic to get your feelings on the page and then move on.
Catch up on TV or YouTube
My favourite activity on a Sunday has to be catching up on TV or YouTube! I try to do this whilst doing a number of other tasks, such as computer stuff. I’ve always got a box set on the go or I’ll watch the latest videos from my favourite YouTubers.
Have an early night
If there’s anything I love in this world, it’s sleep. That’s why Sunday nights are always an early night for me. I’ll try to wind down by 9pm, do my pamper routine, and read. Ideally, I like to be asleep by 10.30pm but if it’s earlier, even better!
That was a lengthy post but I wanted to get it right. Learning how to set up a weekly reset feels very adult but honestly, when you find a routine that works for you, it’s game-changing! I’ve adapted mine over the last couple of years, adding in tasks and moving some organisation to Friday afternoons. Overall, I’ve kept the bulk of the tasks to a Sunday reset.
Do you have a weekly reset or has this post inspired you to set one up? Spring is the ideal time to set up a weekly reset! If you enjoyed how to set up a weekly reset, leave a comment below or send me a DM on Instagram or Twitter. I’ll be sharing more about my other routines soon!
