The Sunday Reset That Changed My Week
At the beginning of the year, I started looking for a way to bring more peace and structure back into my life. I didn’t want anything rigid or overwhelming—I just wanted something that helped me feel grounded again.
That’s when I began experimenting with a simple Sunday rhythm.
What started with a few small tasks has grown into something I genuinely look forward to each week.
It’s become a quiet ritual that helps me reset my home—and my mindset—for the week ahead.
And in so many ways, it’s changed how I feel about the start of a new week entirely.
From Survival Mode to Intentional Routines
As 2025 dawned, I found myself craving rhythm again.
The last few months of 2024—well, actually the entire year—had been anything but predictable. My husband, Dave, was going through radiation treatment, and I had stepped away from most of my structured routines to be present for him. Before that season began, I had carefully mapped out my weekly time blocks on the calendar. I had a weekly template that felt good, like something I could build around.
But once treatment started, I began to look at those time blocks and feel frustrated. I felt behind. Eventually, I realized it was time to delete that template altogether, because it wasn’t helping—it was just stressing me out.
There wasn’t space for perfectly scheduled days, and honestly, I didn’t have the energy for them either. I moved through that time doing what needed to be done, whenever it needed to be done—and that was enough.
But as the new year rolled around, I felt a quiet pull to re-evaluate. Not with pressure. Not with a rigid plan. But with curiosity:
What systems actually work for me now?
What routines feel refreshing?
What do I want my days to look like—at home, and in my business?
In January, I chose Focus as my word of intention for the year. At the time, I wasn’t entirely sure how it would unfold—but now, looking back, I see how that one word has gently woven itself into so many areas of my life. Focus doesn’t always mean pushing harder. Sometimes, it means pulling back. Choosing what matters. Letting go of what doesn’t.
One of the most surprising ways this intention has shown up is in a new weekly rhythm I’ve started.
I call it my weekly home reset.
It’s not quite a cleaning day. It’s not exactly a goal-setting session.
It’s something different.
It’s a day to restock, replenish, and refresh my home for the week to come.
Learning to Design Systems That Work for Me
After so much unpredictability, I didn’t want to dive back into rigid routines. But I also knew I needed something more than just “doing things when they needed to be done.”
I wanted my time at home to feel peaceful and organized again.
Around that same time, I found myself thinking back on something I’ve heard often inside the BossBabe Societé, a membership I’ve been part of for a few years. Natalie, the founder, often talks about designing systems—not just for your business, but for your life. And how the right systems don’t just organize your time… they support your energy.
That idea made something click.
I didn’t need to go back to the version of structure I had before—especially not the kind that left me feeling boxed in or behind. What I needed were simple, supportive rhythms that could flex with my energy, help me feel caught up, and free my mind to focus on the work and people I love.
And just like that, I started thinking differently. Not about building perfect routines, but about designing a system that actually works for me. One that supports how I live now and reflects the home energy and atmosphere that inspires both peace and creativity.
It didn’t happen overnight. I began noticing the things that made life easier—like having groceries delivered instead of rushing all over town picking up the essentials. By preserving my energy for the things only I could do—like writing my blog—I found I could harness my creativity more consistently.
I decided to restart my HelloFresh deliveries because meal planning exhausts me. I love to cook, but too often, I’d get to the end of the day and realize… there was no dinner plan.
Little by little, I realized I was creating a new system that prioritized my peace. It was something I actually enjoyed doing—and didn’t dread.
This was a shift that began to energize me.
I was beginning to look forward to this new weekly home reset and (gasp)… not hate laundry.
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Why I Changed My Reset Day from Monday to Sunday
Back when my boys were still in school at home, that rhythm made a lot of sense. Weekends were often packed with baseball games, church activities, and family time. Mondays, on the other hand, offered a return to structure. School started up again, and while they were working through lessons, I had pockets of time to plan meals, do laundry, and reset the house for the week ahead.
Even after Dan graduated, I held onto that Monday routine. It felt familiar.
But like so many things, 2024 asked me to let go of what was familiar. That year was full of unexpected changes, and eventually, I found myself doing chores whenever they had to get done—and that was good enough for that season. I longed for the routines, but the challenges of the year didn’t allow me to keep any one rhythm for long.
As I stepped into 2025 with more intention, I realized something had shifted. Sundays—once packed with family activities—had become quiet and open. With no more baseball games and no local family in town, my Sunday afternoons had started to feel like a blank canvas.
And then there was the HelloFresh pivot.
I had restarted HelloFresh because I love to cook—but I absolutely don’t love meal planning. When deliveries were scheduled for Monday, I often found myself frustrated if they arrived late. I’d be ready to cook dinner, but the box wouldn’t be there yet. Sometimes I’d have to scrap the plan altogether and go out to eat, which defeated the whole point.
Eventually, I switched my delivery day to Sunday.
I don’t usually cook dinners on Sundays, so it didn’t really matter when the box arrived.
And that one small change shifted everything.
With Sunday deliveries, I knew I had a plan for dinner on Monday—and that felt amazing. As I moved through the kitchen, I started thinking:
What if I did the laundry today, too?
What if I checked our groceries, made the Instacart order, and restocked the bathrooms?
What started as a quiet afternoon with a meal kit turned into a gentle, restorative routine.
A new rhythm—on a new day—that felt just right for this new season.
After a morning at church and a relaxing lunch, I was usually ready to make progress on something. There was an energy I had, and putting it toward the home allowed me to really enjoy the process of creating a beautiful and welcoming space.
When I know we have food to eat, toilet paper in the right bathrooms, and clean clothes in our drawers, I can fully focus on my business on Monday mornings.
What My Sunday Reset Actually Includes
My Sunday reset started with just one or two tasks—but over time, it’s gently expanded into a rhythm that works really well for me. It’s not rigid, and it doesn’t require perfection. But it’s a way to care for my home—and myself—that helps me feel ready for the week ahead.
Here’s what a typical Sunday reset looks like right now:
🧺 Laundry
I do all of our laundry on Sundays now. I used to spread it out across the week, but I realized that if I just do it all in one day—and get it put away—I don’t have to think about it again until next weekend. That’s a win for me.
I’m not someone who has ever loved laundry. It’s up there on my most-hated chore list. But I do love the feeling of knowing we have clean clothes ready for the week. On Sundays, I’m usually home, the machines are running in the background, and I can switch loads in between other tasks.
If we’ve had a guest (like when my dad came to visit recently), I’ll also add guest room towels and sheets to the rotation. I try to do that right after they leave so I don’t have to wonder later whether I remembered to change the sheets.
🥕 Groceries & Meal Prep Support
Now that HelloFresh meals arrive on Sunday, I know dinners are taken care of. That’s a huge relief.
But we still need groceries for breakfast, lunches, snacks, and general household items. So while laundry is going, I usually sit down with my phone and check our grocery staples list and household supplies list inside the MealBoard app. I order anything we’re low on through Instacart—often from two different stores at once. It’s a simple way to save time and energy while still making sure we have what we need.
I’ve also learned to trust the rhythm of this. If I miss something or forget an item, I know I can place a midweek order—but this Sunday habit gives me a strong foundation.
🧽 Household Restock & Touch-Ups
This part might sound small, but it makes a big difference.
I walk through the house and do a quick restock:
- Refill toilet paper and soap in each bathroom
- Wipe the counters and toilets down
- Change the bathroom towels
- Check supplies like cotton balls, pads, and paper towels
- Empty any small trash cans that need it
These aren’t glamorous tasks, but they prevent that annoying moment midweek when you realize you’re out of something essential. It also gives me a chance to tidy up gently—just enough to make the house feel picked up without doing a full deep clean.
And I should say here, our house cleaners come every other week, which is a huge blessing. If I were doing all the cleaning myself, I might spread it out or choose a different day. But right now, this rhythm works beautifully.
📦 Mail, Packages & Loose Ends
Another task I’ve added is opening up any mail or Amazon boxes that have piled up during the week. I order a lot online, and sometimes those packages just sit in the entryway unopened. Sunday is my time to open, sort, and toss what I don’t need so it doesn’t build up.
I also use this time to check my planner, take care of a small household admin task, or even glance at our finances if it’s the end of the month. But I don’t overdo it—just enough to feel like I’ve cleared the decks.
☕ The Atmosphere Matters
To me, this isn’t just a to-do list. It’s a rhythm.
I usually have peaceful music playing, a candle lit, and something warm to sip on. I’m not rushing—I’m resetting.
And that part matters. This routine doesn’t drain me.
It restores me.
How My Sunday Reset Supports My Business and Creative Focus
By the time Monday morning arrives, I don’t want to be playing catch-up.
I want to start the week with a clear focus—ready to write, create, support my community, and move my work forward. But in order to do that, I’ve learned I need my home to feel settled first.
When the laundry is done, the fridge is stocked, the house feels fresh, and the errands are handled, I don’t carry that mental weight into my workday. I’m not wondering if we have clean socks or whether there’s something to eat for lunch. I’m not distracted by clutter or undone tasks.
Instead, I can sit down at my desk, light a candle, open my laptop, and get right into what matters.
That’s the power of a reset.
It gives me a clean slate, both physically and mentally.
This simple Sunday rhythm has helped me reclaim Monday mornings for what they’re meant to be: a fresh start. And for me, that means diving into meaningful work—whether I’m writing a blog post, preparing for an Encourage meetup, or connecting with other survivors and advocates.
Even tasks I don’t always love—like bookkeeping or follow-ups—feel more manageable when I’m not starting the week in a fog of unfinished household to-dos.
It’s like I’ve cleared the noise so I can actually hear what I need to focus on.
And that, more than anything, helps me stay aligned with how I want to feel in my business: grounded, prepared, and purposeful.
A Rhythm That’s Just for You
Maybe Sunday isn’t your day.
Maybe your rhythm looks totally different. That’s okay.
This isn’t about doing more or getting everything “just right.”
It’s about noticing what helps you feel grounded—what supports your energy, your peace, and your ability to show up for the things that matter most.
Your own version of a weekly reset might be as simple as a grocery order and a fresh set of towels. Or it might be an afternoon of music, candles, and meal prep. What matters is that it feels like support—not pressure.
I’ve been doing my Sunday reset for several months now. What surprises me is how relaxed and refreshed I feel while doing it. As the laundry cycles through, as I restock the bathrooms and plan for the week ahead, I don’t feel rushed—I feel centered.
And I realized something profound.
For years, I’ve worked at home. I homeschooled my boys for years. I run a business here now. But just because I’m at home doesn’t mean I’m tending to the home.
Working from home is not the same as working on the home.
By intentionally setting aside time to care for the house on Sundays, I give myself permission to focus on the work that matters during the week—and I also give our family the gift of starting Monday with peace.
This one rhythm—this simple reset—has changed the tone of my week.
Maybe it will for you, too.
Jennifer Douglas
Jennifer is the author of "A Breast Cancer Journey: Living it One Step at a Time," breast cancer survivor, and patient advocate. Her book, published in 2023 by Bold Story Press, is an encouraging guide for breast cancer patients. It contains first-hand information, organized by topics, to help readers navigate the diagnosis, treatment, and recovery from breast cancer. Her writing emphasizes emotional, mental, and physical well-being along with empowered decision-making.
3 Comments
Sandy Keys
Thanks Jennifer Douglas for all this information. I enjoyed reading it. This is so helpful!! I had to switch gears with my weekly routine when I returned to a Law Office job 5 days a week after working from home Part Time for 4 years after my Breast Cancer diagnosis. Thank you for the helpful tips and tricks. BTW, send me a referral code for Hello Fresh so I can try it out. I’m not much of a cook so I need all the help I can get with meals, especially after being away from my home for 11 hours each day (I commute 1 hour each way to my new job) and the fatigue that I still have after Breast Cancer treatment.
Jennifer Douglas
Sandy, I am so glad this was helpful! Cooking and meal planning is hard- especially when you are away from the house for so long. I hope that you’re able to work out a new rhythm that makes sense for your new job!
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