Sundays come with pressure.
One part of you wants to soak up every last minute of the weekend, while the other part spirals into “I need to prep for everything ever before Monday hits.”
If you’re a working mom or busy woman, the typical “Sunday reset” you see online—complete with color-coded planners, 4-hour cleaning sprees, and perfect aesthetic breakfasts—can feel… exhausting.
What if resetting didn’t mean burning yourself out? What if it could actually be enjoyable?
Here are 10 fun things to do on Sunday that help you feel grounded and prepped—without losing your day to chores. These ideas are simple, flexible, and, yes—still productive.
1. Do a “Joyful” To-Do List Instead of a Chore List
Time: 15–20 minutes
Instead of defaulting to a cleaning frenzy, build a reset to-do list that feels joyful and functional.
Think about the small things that make you feel ready for the week:
- Choosing your outfits
- Making a playlist for your commute
- Reorganizing your purse or work bag
- Swapping your bedsheets for the soft ones
Helpful tip: If it makes you feel calm, creative, or confident—it belongs on the list.
2. Have a Sunday Morning Ritual (That’s Just for You)
Time: 10–30 minutes
You don’t need a 5 a.m. miracle morning routine. You just need something that’s yours.
Ideas:
- Coffee and a walk (no phone)
- Journaling with a candle lit
- Reading one chapter of a book
- Sitting in silence before anyone else is awake
“My Sunday doesn’t feel right until I’ve had 20 minutes alone with my coffee and zero noise.”
3. Make a Lazy Girl Meal Prep List
Time: 30–45 minutes max
Let go of the pressure to prep a week’s worth of Pinterest-perfect meals.
Instead, try this:
- Prep one batch of roasted veggies
- Wash and chop fruit
- Make 3 breakfast grab-and-gos
- Cook one protein to remix all week
You’ll feel prepped without being stuck in the kitchen all day.
4. Curate a “Soft Life” Sunday Playlist
Time: 10 minutes
Music can change everything. Curate a few playlists that match different moods:
- Soft + Cozy: For journaling or winding down
- Vibe Reset: For light tidying and planning
- Feel-Good Energy: For dancing while meal prepping
Bonus Tip: Share it with friends or keep it private—just make sure it lifts you up.
5. Reset One Room (Not the Whole House)
Time: 20–30 minutes
Choose the one room that makes the biggest difference—usually your bedroom or bathroom.
Here’s a quick reset flow:
- Clear surfaces
- Spray a linen mist or light a candle
- Change your sheets or towel set
- Add a fresh touch like flowers or a book stack
A clean corner is sometimes all you need to feel refreshed.
6. Romanticize Sunday Errands
Time: Varies—make it a vibe
Don’t just “go to Target”—romanticize it.
- Throw on a cute outfit (even if it’s sweats with earrings)
- Get a little latte or iced tea
- Listen to a podcast while you browse
- Take your time instead of rushing
It turns a basic errand into a relaxing ritual.
7. Set the Vibe for the Week with a Mini Planning Sesh
Time: 20–25 minutes
You don’t need a bullet journal or aesthetic dashboard. Just open your calendar and check in:
- Any meetings or appointments?
- What’s the one thing you want to get done this week?
- What’s one thing just for you?
“Instead of planning everything, I started choosing a ‘focus feeling’ for my week—like calm, creative, or present. It changed everything.”
8. Do a Beauty Reset (That You’ll Actually Enjoy)
Time: 15–30 minutes
Forget the pressure to do a full 10-step skincare routine. A reset should feel indulgent, not exhausting.
Try:
- A face mask + warm shower
- Foot soak + polish while watching your show
- Heatless curls or slick-back bun for Monday
- A new lotion or body oil with a scent that makes you feel good
9. Watch or Read Something That Inspires You
Time: 30–60 minutes (or however long you want)
Reset your mind by consuming something that feeds you, not drains you.
Ideas:
- A YouTube reset vlog or routine video
- Comfort movie or show (Gilmore Girls, anyone?)
- A chapter of a book you’ve been meaning to finish
- A podcast or TED talk about something you’re curious about
10. Go Outside for a “No Expectations” Walk
Time: 10–30 minutes
No step goals. No fitness pressure. Just breathe and move.
A slow Sunday stroll, even around the block, resets your nervous system and clears your mind.
“Some Sundays I don’t want to do anything—but if I can get myself outside for 10 minutes, I swear it’s like hitting ‘refresh’ on my brain.”
Sunday Reset Tips for Moms With Kids Around
Most of the traditional “Sunday reset” routines assume you have hours of uninterrupted silence, soft jazz, and a spotless white kitchen.
Reality check? There are toys on the floor, someone’s yelling about a snack, and your Sunday reset needs to happen in 20-minute windows (if that).
Here are realistic, mom-life-friendly ways to reset—even when the kids are home:
Reset With Them (But on Your Terms)
- Put on a playlist and have a “reset dance party” while everyone cleans one thing
- Let them pick a scent to diffuse or a candle to light
- Do a 10-minute room tidy together—set a timer and make it a game
- Ask them to help “restock” something (snacks, toilet paper, wipes)
Create a Mini Beauty Reset for You—and Them
- Let them apply your face mask (hello, giggles)
- Do matching nails or foot soaks
- Try hair masks, braids, or headband curls together
- Set up a little spa corner with bath bombs or lotion bars
Use “Occupied Kid Time” for Micro-Resets
- Reset shower with exfoliation or a new scrub
- Journal, plan, or vision board
- Watch a reset vlog or listen to a calming podcast
Make Meal Prep a Family Thing
- Let them help wash fruit or snap green beans
- Make sandwiches or breakfast wraps together
- Turn snack prep into a “taste test” game
- Chat about the week while prepping lunches
Split the Load (and Ditch the Guilt)
- Ask your partner to handle kid duty for 1–2 hours
- Trade off: one parent does morning, the other does bedtime
- If co-parenting, plan reset time for quieter kid-free windows
Plan a Sunday Activity That Doubles as a Reset
- Museum, trampoline park, or library = tired kids + reset vibes
- Nature walk = grounding for everyone
- Movie afternoon = quiet reset time for you
- Kid crafts = 30 minutes of silence while they glue everything
Make Sunday Night Special (and Chill)
- Pizza picnic or movie night with popcorn
- Early showers and dim lights
- Lavender lotion or guided bedtime meditation
- Cozy read-alouds and cuddles
Choose Your Reset Style
Every Sunday is different. Here’s how to tailor your reset based on mood or time:
Quick Reset (15–30 mins):
- Light a candle
- Change your sheets
- Play soft music
- Walk outside for 10 minutes
Mid Reset (1–2 hours):
- Room reset
- Mini meal prep
- Journaling or playlist creation
- Planning session
Full Reset Day (3–5 hours with breaks):
- Errands as a vibe
- Room + beauty reset
- Content that inspires you
- Slow wind-down routine
Final Thoughts: Your Sunday Reset, Your Rules
You don’t need to do all of it. You don’t need to do any of it.
Resetting your Sunday is about finding what fills you up—not draining your battery further.
Even if you just light a candle and wash your face, that counts. Even if all you did was breathe and rest—you’re allowed.
Your Sunday reset doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours.
