I’ve been thinking about what makes a good week over a “bad” week – and the difference comes down to what I put off.
There are things that I know I want to do – not because I think I should – but because I know they make me feel good. And yet there are those weeks where it just doesn’t seem to happen. And the longer that goes, the harder it is to get back into gear.
I think routines are a really good way to remind yourself of what matters, to keep momentum and stay connected. I’ve learned that here in Bali, it’s a place that seems carefree and even a little disorganised – yet routines and rituals are ingrained into the everyday. I also see a lot more smiles around here – so there’s something to it.
Sundays have become my check-in point to do the things that set the course for a better week. And while these 3 little routines aren’t in themselves very exciting – the way they make me feel is.
Three Sunday Routines
Prep your Fridge.
I got this idea from a cafe here in Bali. It’s called The Nest Home Cafe and its designed to look and feel like you’re having coffee in someone’s home…
My husband and I were seated pretty much in the kitchen of this cafe – and I got an up-close view of their kitchen flow and how they set it up to be efficient.
We order a mushroom soup and hamburger. She walks over to the fridge and I can see that they have it completely organised shelf-to-shelf with stacks of see-through containers. She grabs three containers, each one filled with the makings of a burger: pre-sliced tomatoes, prepped salad leaves and beef patties formed and ready for the pan…
She grabs another two containers. One’s filled with pre-made soup another with sliced mushrooms. She sautees the mushrooms, pours the soup over it and serves it up.
In an instant and with ease, she cooks and assembles this entire meal and I’m thinking – we should all have a fridge like that!
Meal planning can be tricky because you might not know today – what you want to eat next Wednesday. You don’t know if you’ll be in the mood for a light salad or a hearty soup…
Try prepping your fridge with ready-to-go staples – it gives you more flexibility, but also more ease in putting together a meal throughout the week:
- cooked brown rice
- pre-chopped veggies
- shredded chicken
- cooked black beans
- roasted pumpkin
- ready to eat salad greens…
Plan Something Good.
Once the week starts, it’s hard to find time to do the things that you want for yourself – like coffee with a friend, a yoga class or date night with your partner.
A calm Sunday is a great time to think about the week ahead and decide what you want to spend your time doing. Pick one thing that you know will make you feel good and then schedule it. Write it down on the calendar, book the date, set a reminder – and when the time comes, all you need to do is show up!
Freshen Up.
I used to think that people who seem to have everything togehter, are naturally that way. But I’ve realized that the real difference is that they work at it more consistently.
Which is smart! It’s harder to start, to build up momentum again. But lot of us travel through these extremes of highs and lows – being super productive and then super discouraged, then starting back up again.. it’s exhaustive.
Consistency is a much easier path to follow because it takes less time and energy to do the work of staying on top of things.
Here’s a few things that, if done each week, won’t build up to become a drain on your week… if I do even just one thing, it always makes a big difference:
- Clear out the mail
- Clean out and organize your work/school/baby bag
- Sort through your closet, pick up anything on the floor, refold anything that came undone
- Tidy up the house, look for things that got put out of place
Done consistently – it’ll take minutes compared to hours!
I’d love to know – what are your favorite things to do on a Sunday? Let me know in the comments below.
Have a great week!
Militza Xx
For me sunday it’s deep cleaning day as during the week i’m very busy with the work. Bedsheets are changed, all laundry is getting done, moppind day as well. It’s also the day when i can take my time to get a full and nice breakfast, not like during the week where you have to rush to go job! It’s also my face mask day ( i use diatomaceous earth powder mix with water to make a past, it works wonder!). Unfortunately i really feel that sundays are really going too fast and we don’t get enough time to do all what we want ( if you get up late like me haha)
I don’t meal plan since I’m single and it’s never worked for me, but your other things? Totally. Sunday is also my facial steam day. I try to do it again later in the week, but that seldom happens. Sundays though, I put it on my mental must list just before I throw my weekly laundry load in.
Hi Gwen, I’m with you – I love a good steam too! If I skip it, I notice the difference on my skin. By the way, I think it’s totally acceptable that steams don’t happen in the week – that’s what Sundays are for! Good for you for taking advantage of that time.
Planning at least 3 main dish items for the work week that I can easily warm up at work. Making sure I have the fruit and vegies I need for each work day ready to go in baggies if possible or at least in the fridge to grab. Each evening I prep my food for both breakfast and lunch as well as my clothes and jewelry for the next day. Everything is as done as possible or items are out and handy (plate, knife for peanut butter, the jar of peanut butter, toaster and bread loaded into it). My work world is rather chaotic and unpredictable on a daily basis, so my home world must have order for me to function! I take care of the mail each day…sort, toss, or take care of right then so I don’t have piles and messes on the counter. At work I’ve found that taking time to make lists at the end of each week, if not each day, with what I need to get accomplished is well worth the 5 minutes it takes. Then I’m prepped and ready to go and I don’t forget things. It also helps me sleep better so I’m not worried about what is on my agenda. When my children were little, their clothes were always laid out and bags prepped the night before. We had a very structured routine. I even made a visual chart for one daughter so that she could independently check what she needed to do next so that I wasn’t nagging her and making her go more slowly which in turn angered me. That made our mornings much more pleasant! It seems overwhelming at first if you’re not a list-maker or ‘prepper’ but once in the habit, life goes more smoothly!
Hi Keri! I love the idea of a visual checklist for your daughter! I totally agree that a good daily habit makes life a lot simpler!
Love the suggestions! Aiming to implement! Thank you so much!!
You’re so welcome Susan! I’m so happy to hear that you found it helpful! :)
I absolutely clean out the fridge, do inventory, meal plan, and grocery shop on Sunday. Also make anything ahead, like double batches of healthy muffins for school lunches.
I love the idea of scheduling “me time”!
Hi Melissa! Double batches is such a good idea, if you’re already making the effort might as well maximise it! Plus muffins freeze so nicely too :)