I have a love – hate relationship with Sunday’s. On one hand, it’s the best day for some rest and relaxation. On the other hand, the next day is Monday. The Monday blues are by far the worst, and waking up at 6 AM is not my thing. I love routines and rituals, so I thought why not create a Sunday Self-Care Routine to beat the Monday blues!
How I spend my Sunday sets the mood for my entire week. Going into work on Monday morning is dreadful so I found a way to make it a little bit better (emphasis on little). Lazy Sunday’s don’t do much for me anymore, I try to use my Sundays to be some what productive while allowing for some much needed me time.
How to Start A Self-Care Routine
Starting a routine is all about discipline. If you’re reading this then you’re already thinking about investing in yourself, and that’s half the battle. First you have to commit to creating a habit which requires a lot of discipline, something I work on each and every day. Just like eating healthy and going to the gym are habits, so is self-care. It takes time to create a habit, so don’t worry if you find yourself having trouble staying on top of your new routine. People often feel like taking care of themselves is selfish when they could be doing something more “productive”. When in fact self-care is a must when it comes to putting your best self forward. Here are six things that I do every Sunday to prepare for the week ahead.
Sleep in
I don’t know about you, but as I get older sleeping in has a different meaning. When I was in in college, I could easily sleep until 3:00 in the afternoon. Now, I’m lucky if I sleep until 8:00 AM. Maybe my body has fully adjusted to waking up 6:00 AM everyday. Let your body get some rest, don’t hop up as soon as you open your eyes. Enjoy just laying there, turn on some cartoons if you like.
Get outdoors
Ugh. Getting me in the gym is a mighty task. I prefer to go outside and take a three mile walk with my mom. This allows me to clear my head and prepare for the week ahead. Go out and enjoy the fresh air and the sun on your skin, it’s good for you after all. Trust me when I say, I can stay inside like a hermit crab ALL weekend. That’s only because I am such a homebody, but I have to admit that I feel energized and refreshed after my Sunday walk.
Make favorite breakfast/coffee
Now on to my favorite part of my Sunday Self-Care Routine! Food!! I love to start my morning with some avocado toast (duh) and an XL cup of coffee. The ninja bar is my coffee machine of choice, it makes lattes, iced coffee, and so much more. Check it out here. This is the perfect opportunity to take the time to make your favorite breakfast. Preparing this meal makes me feel 100% better, I don’t have this much time before work to sit down and have a home cooked breakfast. That would require me to wake up earlier, and that ain’t happening, but if that’s your thing… more power to you!
Sunday Cleaning
Okay, now on to my least favorite thing on my list. Cleaning. During the week I turn my room into what looks like a tornado ran through it. All I want to do after work is hop in bed, and that’s exactly what I do. Although cleaning is a process that I am not too fond of, it is necessary. It makes me feel more accomplished, and I can actually find things. You should try tidying up your space and see how it makes you feel.
Plan for the week
As you get to know me, you will see how much I like to plan every little thing. So, naturally I like to plan ahead for each week. Setting aside 30 minutes to get organized has made such a big difference for me. I am more productive throughout the week when my life is organized. If you’re anything like me and you get overwhelmed when there’s so much to do, creating a list or a plan makes it easier to get things done. I am also very forgetful, so I like to take note of which bills are due and leave myself a reminder to pay them on time.
Me Time
This can literally be anything you want. A mani-pedi, another nap, or reading. My me time consists of face masks and binge watching my favorite television shows. To be honest, I need at least one solid hour to myself not talking to anyone.
Sticking to a Routine
When you create a routine or habit, the goal is to stick to it and see it through. The easiest way to do that is to ensure that your list works for you. The list I provided is what works best for me, so I encourage you to come up with some ideas of your own.
You can choose one idea or ten as long as they make you feel better than before you started.
Self-care has different meanings to each individual person. I prefer to pamper myself with a face mask while journaling or jotting down my weekly goals. To you it could mean meditating or going on a hike, and that’s quite alright.
I hope you’re creating your Sunday Self-Care Routine as we speak. May your Monday’s be brighter!
