My Sunday Reset Routine: How I Gently Prepare for a Calmer, More Intentional Week

There’s something about Sundays that feels like a soft pause button. The rush of the week is behind me, and the expectations of Monday haven’t fully kicked in yet. Over the years, I’ve learned that how I spend my Sunday has a huge impact on how the rest of my week feels. When I rush through it or ignore it completely, I feel scattered by Tuesday. But when I take a little time to reset, everything feels more manageable.

My Sunday reset routine isn’t about perfection or doing all the things. It’s about creating a sense of calm, clearing mental clutter, and setting myself up to start the week feeling grounded instead of behind. Some Sundays are slower than others, and that’s okay. This routine flexes with my energy, my schedule, and my season of life.

If you’ve ever wished Monday felt a little less overwhelming, this is for you.

What a Sunday Reset Really Means to Me

When I say “Sunday reset,” I don’t mean a strict schedule or a Pinterest-perfect routine. I think of it as a gentle realignment. It’s a way to take care of future me — the version of me who wakes up Monday morning wanting a peaceful start instead of chaos.

My reset touches a few key areas:

• My home
• My mind
• My plans
• My body

Even doing a little in each area makes a noticeable difference. The goal isn’t to cram everything into one day. The goal is to create breathing room.

Step One: I Start With a Slow, Easy Morning

I don’t jump straight into productivity on Sundays. I let the morning unfold slowly. I make coffee or tea, sit somewhere comfortable, and ease into the day. This might look like reading, journaling, devotional time, or simply sitting quietly and letting my thoughts settle.

Starting slow helps me shift out of “go mode.” It reminds me that rest is allowed and necessary. When I skip this step, everything feels rushed from the start.

This quiet time also helps me check in with myself. How am I really feeling? Tired? Overstimulated? Motivated? This awareness helps me shape the rest of the day realistically instead of forcing myself into a plan that doesn’t fit.

Step Two: I Do a Light Reset of My Home

I don’t deep clean my house every Sunday. That would honestly make me dread the day. Instead, I focus on small resets that make my space feel calmer and more functional.

I like to think of this as “resetting the rooms I live in the most.”

What I usually focus on:

• Clearing kitchen counters
• Emptying the sink and dishwasher
• A quick sweep or vacuum of high-traffic areas
• Tidying the living room
• Gathering stray laundry

This part of my Sunday reset is about visual calm. Walking into a tidy space on Monday morning instantly lowers my stress level. Even if everything else feels busy, my environment feels supportive instead of demanding.

I remind myself that this isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating a soft landing for the week ahead.

Step Three: I Reset the Kitchen for the Week Ahead

The kitchen plays a big role in how my week goes. When it’s cluttered or unprepared, everything from meals to snacks feels harder than it needs to be.

On Sundays, I like to:

• Clean out the fridge
• Toss leftovers that won’t get eaten
• Wipe shelves if needed
• Refill water pitchers
• Make sure staples are stocked

Sometimes I’ll prep a few basics like chopped veggies, hard-boiled eggs, or a batch of soup. Other weeks, I just make sure I know what’s for dinner a few nights so I’m not staring into the fridge at 5 p.m. wondering what happened.

This step saves so much mental energy during the week. Even a little prep goes a long way.

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Step Four: I Do a Gentle Brain Dump

This is one of the most important parts of my Sunday reset. By the end of the week, my brain feels full of half-finished thoughts, reminders, and mental sticky notes.

I sit down with a notebook and write everything that’s floating around in my head:

• Tasks I need to do
• Appointments
• Things I don’t want to forget
• Ideas
• Worries
• Random thoughts

Nothing is too small or too silly to write down. The point is to get it out of my head and onto paper. Once it’s written down, I can breathe again.

This brain dump helps me start the week with clarity instead of mental noise.

Step Five: I Look at the Week Ahead (Without Overplanning)

After my brain dump, I look at my calendar and upcoming commitments. I don’t try to schedule every minute. I just want a realistic overview.

I ask myself:

• What absolutely needs to get done this week?
• What can wait if my energy is low?
• Where do I need margin or rest?

I choose a few priority tasks for the week — not a long, overwhelming list. Just the things that would make me feel accomplished if they were done.

I also intentionally schedule rest. This might be an early bedtime, a walk, or a quiet evening with no plans. Rest doesn’t happen by accident, so I plan for it on purpose.

Step Six: I Reset My Work or Creative Space

Whether I’m working from home, journaling, or doing something creative, my workspace affects my focus more than I realize.

On Sundays, I like to:

• Clear my desk
• Put away loose papers
• Refill pens or notebooks
• Open a fresh planner page

This small reset makes Monday feel like a clean slate. I’m not starting the week surrounded by last week’s mess or unfinished thoughts.

Step Seven: I Do Something Nourishing for My Body

My Sunday reset always includes at least one thing that helps me feel physically better. This isn’t about intense workouts or strict routines. It’s about gentle care.

This might look like:

• A long shower
• Stretching
• A walk outside
• Going to bed early
• Drinking extra water

I try to listen to what my body needs instead of what I think I should️* do. This mindset carries into the rest of the week and helps me make kinder choices for myself.

Step Eight: I Create a Calm Sunday Evening

Sunday evenings set the emotional tone for Monday morning. If I scroll endlessly or stress about the week, I carry that tension with me.

I like to wind down intentionally:

• Dimming lights
• Lighting a candle
• Reading
• Journaling
• Watching something comforting

I also try to prepare a few things for the next morning, like setting out clothes or making sure my bag is ready. These small steps remove friction and help the week start smoothly.

Why This Routine Works for Me

What I love most about my Sunday reset routine is that it’s flexible. Some weeks I do everything. Other weeks I do the bare minimum. Both are okay.

This routine works because it:

• Reduces decision fatigue
• Creates visual and mental calm
• Helps me feel prepared instead of reactive
• Encourages gentleness instead of pressure

It’s not about becoming a new person every Monday. It’s about supporting the person I already am.

Things to Do During a Sunday Reset

Around the House

• Water houseplants
• Open windows for fresh air (even for a few minutes)
• Make the bed and straighten the bedroom
• Wash and change bed sheets
• Start or fold a load of laundry
• Put away stray items from around the house
• Wipe down kitchen counters
• Take out the trash and recycling
• Refill soap dispensers
• Do a quick sweep or vacuum of main areas

Kitchen Reset

• Empty and reload the dishwasher
• Wash dishes and clear the sink
• Clean out the fridge
• Toss expired food
• Refill water pitchers or bottles
• Prep produce (wash, chop, or portion)
• Plan dinners for the week
• Make a grocery list
• Restock snacks
• Wipe down the coffee maker or kettle

Bedroom & Bathroom

• Change sheets and pillowcases
• Put away clean laundry
• Lay out comfortable clothes for Monday
• Refill toilet paper and paper towels
• Swap out hand towels
• Restock skincare or hygiene essentials
• Clean bathroom counters
• Take a long shower or bath

Planning & Life Admin

• Check your calendar for the week
• Review upcoming appointments
• Brain dump lingering thoughts
• Choose 3–5 priorities for the week
• Write a short to-do list for Monday
• Set reminders or alarms
• Pay or review bills (if needed)
• Tidy your purse, bag, or backpack

Work & Creative Reset

• Clear your desk or workspace
• Close out open browser tabs
• Write a simple work plan for the week
• Prep notebooks or planners
• Charge devices
• Organize digital files or inbox (lightly)

Self-Care & Personal Reset

• Drink extra water
• Stretch or take a gentle walk
• Read or journal
• Spend a few quiet minutes reflecting or praying
• Light a candle or diffuse something calming
• Go to bed earlier than usual

Sunday Evening Prep

• Set out clothes for Monday
• Pack lunches or snacks
• Prep coffee or breakfast basics
• Tidy the living room one last time
• Turn off screens earlier
• Choose something comforting to end the day

Sunday Reset Checklist

Just click the image below! It’ll open a new page where you can download the PDF to your computer and print from home.

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Final Thoughts

As I’ve learned over time, a Sunday reset isn’t about fixing your life or becoming a brand-new version of yourself by Monday morning. It’s simply about pausing long enough to care for the life you’re already living. Even the smallest reset — clearing a counter, writing a short list, taking a few quiet minutes to breathe — can make the week ahead feel lighter and more intentional.

Some Sundays will feel productive and calm, and others will feel messy or tired. Both are okay. This routine is meant to support you, not pressure you. You’re allowed to move slowly, to do less, and to meet yourself exactly where you are.

If you take anything from this, let it be this: preparation can be gentle, rest can be purposeful, and a little Sunday care can carry you all the way through the week. Start where you can, do what feels doable, and trust that it’s enough.