For most of my life, I have associated Sundays with the end of the weekend and the dread of my alarm for school or work going off the next morning. I have always procrastinated doing my homework until Sunday evening, leaving me exhausted and stressed out as a new week begins. I was tired of the same cycle repeating week after week, so this January one of my New Year’s resolutions was to reframe the way I thought about and used my Sundays. For me, this mainly involved creating a Sunday reset routine for myself.
You may have heard of a Sunday reset through social media influencers, who share their complex routines that aren’t necessarily realistic for a busy college student. My Sundays are a lot lazier, so I like to think my version of the reset is a little more accessible. Since I’ve started this routine I’ve felt more relaxed and productive, and I’ve been able to start my weeks off on the right foot. I hope that it inspires you to rethink your Sundays as well.
Wash your bedding
In my opinion, this is one of the most important parts of a Sunday reset. There is no better feeling than that of getting into clean sheets after you’ve completed everything on your to-do list. Additionally, washing your sheets every Sunday ensures that you actually do wash them regularly, since it can be easy to forget when you have so much to focus on.
Wash your other laundry
If your hamper is full of clothes, you should also wash your other laundry. This way you’ll have your full wardrobe available to choose from for the next week. If you have time for a third load of laundry, you could even get crazy and wash your towels. And don’t forget to fold and put it all away; piles of clean laundry are just as bothersome to look at as piles of dirty laundry.
Tidy/clean your room
This is another integral part of the Sunday reset. Tidy up your room, vacuum if needed, take out the trash, and wipe down surfaces. Having a clean space can make a huge difference in the ability to focus and anxiety levels.Â
Clean your bathroom
Your bathroom should be cleaned regularly, and having a scheduled day to do so makes it much easier. Scrub out your shower or bath, wipe down countertops and sinks, and clean your toilet. You can also use this as an opportunity to take stock of bathroom essentials–toilet paper, menstrual products, and toothpaste–it really sucks to run out.
Get groceries/meal prep
I wouldn’t generally recommend grocery shopping on a Sunday, but if you are really running low on food, it is a good idea to at least get a few things to eat to last you until your normal grocery day. There’s nothing worse than waking up on a Monday morning and realizing you have nothing to eat for breakfast. I am not a meal prep type of person (yet) but if you are, a Sunday seems like the day to do it.
Exercise
I don’t always incorporate exercise into my Sunday reset, because I exercise during the rest of the week and I sometimes don’t have the time or energy, but moving your body can be a form of self-care. This doesn’t have to be an intense workout; it could be yoga or stretching, going for a walk with a friend, or going to the gym.Â
Water plants, take care of your pet
If you have plants, check their soil and water any that need it. If you have pets, do whatever you may need to do to keep them clean and healthy: clean cages, brush, scoop litter, etc.
Shower/shave
I like to shower in the afternoon after I work out to wind down and get clean to get into my clean sheets. Use your favorite body wash, wash your hair if needed (or do a hair mask), and shave if you like to so that you can enjoy the satisfaction of getting into clean sheets with smooth legs.
Do your full skincare routine
If your full skincare routine takes as long as mine does, you probably don’t have time to do it every single day. But on a Sunday, you should definitely treat yourself to some self-care and go above and beyond in your skincare routine. Moisturize, gua sha, and maybe even put on a face mask. Not only will it make you look and feel better, but it’s also a relaxing self-care activity.
Light a candle (if you can!) and listen to music, meditate, journal, etc.
To help wind down after you complete your routine, light a nice-smelling candle (if you’re in a dorm, you can spray room spray) and do something that relaxes you. I personally like to read or listen to music, but lately, I’ve been watching the latest episode of Euphoria instead. You could also do some light yoga, meditate, or journal; anything that calms you down and prepares you to go to bed–ideally not looking at a screen.
I don’t do everything on this list every single Sunday; I rank them based on what I want to prioritize that week. The most important part of creating new habits is making them achievable, and a long list of chores every Sunday is not, especially when you may be hungover or completely exhausted. But even completing one or two activities on this list will help make your Sundays feel fulfilling again.