The Sunday Reset

The Sunday Routine That Helps Me Start the Week with More Calm and Less Stress

There was a time when Sunday felt like a countdown to Monday.

I'd spend part of the day thinking about work, part of the day avoiding work, and somehow end up feeling equally unprepared for the week ahead.

What I've learned over time is that the best weeks don't begin on Monday morning.

They begin on Sunday.

Not with a complicated routine or a perfectly organized house. Just a handful of simple habits that help me feel calmer, more prepared, and more like myself.

My Sunday Reset isn't about productivity.

It's about creating enough order and space that I can start the week with energy instead of overwhelm.

Here's what that looks like.

I Look Ahead Before the Week Starts Looking at Me

The first thing I do is review the week ahead.

Travel. Meetings. Deadlines. Doctor appointments. Personal commitments.

Nothing complicated.

I simply want to know what's coming before it arrives.

As someone who has spent years leading crisis management and resilience programs, I've learned that uncertainty is often more exhausting than reality.

When I know what's on my calendar, I can stop carrying it around in my head.

A cup of tea and ten quiet minutes with my calendar saves me hours of stress later in the week.

I Prepare for Better Sleep First

Most people prepare for work.

I prepare for sleep.

Because everything gets easier when I've slept well.

Before the week begins, I make sure I have the things that help me sleep and recover:

• Thorne Magnesium Bisglycinate - I like this because it’s gentle, but know that others prefer Magnesium Citrate. This is the one I’d recommend—THORNE - Magnesium Citrate, and I like it because both can be added to water for extra hydration.

• Xlear Nasal Spray - It’s drug-free and I switched to it a year ago. It’s never let me down.

• Ayr Saline Gel - When I need extra congestion relief, this is what I reach for. Use it 15 minutes before bed for the best result.

• My Lunya Sleep Mask - This mask is my go-to whether at home or traveling. A bonus is that it’s washable.

• Magicteam Sound Machine - This little number is my go-to at home or travel. The wood grain version is so cute.

I've learned that sleep isn't something that happens accidentally. It's something I support intentionally.

If you've read my Sleep Edit, you already know this is an area I'm passionate about. Check it out for more suggestions for restorative sleep.

I Reset My Home in Small Ways

I don't spend Sunday deep-cleaning.

One of the best changes I've made recently has nothing to do with organizing products or productivity hacks.

I hired a home-cleaning service.

For me, having them come twice a month strikes the right balance. The house stays manageable, and I get back hours that I would rather spend walking, reading, gardening, enjoying time with family, or simply resting.

As someone who spent years trying to do everything myself, I've come to see this less as an expense and more as an investment in my peace of mind.

It's easily one of the best decisions I've made this year.

That's not my personality.

What I do love is waking up Monday morning to a kitchen that's clean, sheets that feel fresh, and counters that aren't cluttered with the previous week.

The reset usually takes less than 30 minutes.

Unload the dishwasher.

Put things back where they belong.

Refill the things I'll need during the week.

Done.

Small actions. Big impact.

I Make Healthy Choices Easier

One lesson I've learned in my 50s is that convenience often wins.

Not motivation.

So I try to make healthy decisions easier before the week begins.

I wash berries.

Prep vegetables.

Make sure I have protein options available.

Restock anything I'll need for breakfast or lunch.

Nothing fancy.

The goal isn't perfection.

The goal is reducing friction.

I Set Out a Few Favorite Outfits

This may sound simple, but it's one of the habits that saves me the most mental energy.

I choose a few outfits for the week ahead and make sure everything is ready.

One less decision on a busy morning.

Lately that usually includes some combination of:

• A Quince silk blouse

• A cotton cashmere cardigan

• Tailored trousers

• Comfortable shoes I can actually walk in

Getting dressed becomes easier when you've already decided.

I Spend Time Outside

This is probably the most important part of my Sunday Reset.

Sometimes it's a walk.

Sometimes it's gardening.

Sometimes it's simply sitting on my back deck with tea and no agenda.

The older I get, the more I realize how restorative fresh air and sunlight can be.

Not because it's productive.

Because it helps me slow down long enough to hear my own thoughts.

I Write Down What Matters

Before the day ends, I spend a few minutes journaling.

Not pages.

Not an elaborate practice.

Just enough to answer a few questions:

What's working?

What's draining me?

What do I want more of next week?

Most of the time, the answers are surprisingly simple.

That's why I love tools like The Five Minute Journal and One Line A Day.

They make reflection approachable.

My Favorite Part

The best part of my Sunday Reset isn't checking things off a list.

It's the feeling that comes afterward.

The house feels calmer.

My mind feels quieter.

The week feels manageable.

For years I thought resilience was something we built during difficult moments.

I've come to believe it's also built in small moments like these.

A walk.

A clean kitchen.

Fresh sheets.

A cup of tea.

A few minutes of preparation.

The Sunday Reset isn't really about getting ready for Monday.

It's about creating a life that feels a little more intentional, one week at a time.

— Ashley