Ah, who doesn’t love a lazy Sunday? Sleeping late, relaxing all day, no worries about the week ahead.
I’ll admit, this isn’t me. While I love the spirit and idea behind lazy Sunday, the truth is, having one stresses me out.
Between kids and work and all the things every week, it takes a lot to keep a house running smoothly.
Something I learned years ago, and that rings even truer now being a working mom, is there is a surefire, no-fail way to make the week easier.
And it lies in the superpower of Sunday.
Productive Sunday
Even before I had kids, I couldn’t bring myself to have a lazy Sunday. I loved a productive Sunday. I’d do a long lift and cardio session, grocery shop and make a few things, clean, take my dog to the park to get him nice and tired (and give him the necessary bath after). All that and still have time to relax a bit in the evening.
These days, a productive Sunday is more valuable than ever. It’s the best way I’ve found to combat the stressed out and burned out feelings that can easily build when rushing through the hustle and bustle of the week.
Here are five of my favorite ways to maximize the superpower of Sunday. Don’t worry, you don’t have to do them all!
What are your biggest pain points during the week? Making dinner every night? Scrambling to pack backpacks every morning? Prioritize, then choose where to spend a couple hours, check a few things off the list. I promise you, it will lead to a calmer Monday and a better week ahead.
5 Tips for a Productive Sunday
1. Food Prep
Whether getting stuck late at work or squeezed between kids’ activities, none of us have time to cook a nutritious dinner every night. It’s the truth and there’s zero shame. That’s why food prep is my favorite activity every Sunday.
And I’m not talking full-on meal prep; even getting a few things made ahead on Sunday can set you up for quicker, easier, and healthier meals all week.
P.S. Need help with weekly meal planning and what foods to prep to get the most bang for your buck? Check out my post from this summer and steal a few ideas!
2. Exercise
Between everything we do on the weekdays, whether work or volunteering at school and shuffling kids like glorified Uber drivers, it’s not easy to take time to exercise. And I don’t blame any parent who can’t make it happen at 5:00 a.m., it’s hard!
But we all need exercise. Taking time for a good workout on Sundays feels amazing. It guarantees at least one sweat sesh for the week that you can go hard or at least don’t have to feel rushed through.
3. Errands
Even though grocery delivery and Amazon exist, some people prefer to go to the store and choose things on their own (ahem, raising my hand).
Again, the weekday hours are precious and limited. Knocking out a few errands on Sunday takes care of tasks and protects time during the week that could be spent taking a lunch break, going for a walk, or simply resting.
4. Clean
From piles of clothes to piles of dishes, or bathrooms and that disastrous basement playroom, it’s easy to forgo cleaning amidst the chaos of a household with kids.
Sunday doesn’t have to be devoted to cleaning. Even simply wiping down counters, tidying up the mudroom, or catching up on laundry (especially the worst parts, folding and putting away!) helps to calm the chaos and keep from falling too far behind.
5. Organize
Work outfits. School backpacks. Activity accessories or daycare must-haves. There’s a ton to organize every day when you’re keeping a family running. And that doesn’t include the mental load of knowing what’s needed for everyone and on which day!
Sunday is a chance to organize everything for the week ahead. Tackle easy stuff like choosing outfits for the week. Pack the instruments and art supplies, the hockey sticks and ballet shoes. Even just taking the time to create a checklist for each day will come in handy when those days arrive — and they all blend together.
The Most Important Time on Sunday
And as a top priority, make time for family on Sunday. Weekdays are wild and it’s hard to be present when you’re thinking about a deadline at work while going from one activity to another.
Even while carving out time for productivity, Sunday can be a chance to pause and be present. Play a game with the kids or have a device-free family dinner. Go to church together or make Sunday night movie night. Go out for donuts or take an afternoon walk.
Yeah, you could say it’s a lot for one day. And I can understand the need for rest after a busy week. But consider a shift in mindset and practice. Rather than keep Sunday lazy and reactive to the exhaustion from a chaotic week, design Sunday as an investment in the week ahead, a proactive effort to do a few things. Put in the work one day to create more space and time for the remaining six.
