How to Create a Weekly Reset Routine (That Doesn’t Take All Day)

If someone had told me years ago that a 45-minute Sunday routine would help me stay sane as a mom, entrepreneur, and person who occasionally forgets where she left her coffee — I’d have laughed. Loudly. I used to think “weekly reset” meant an all-day affair with cleaning supplies, spreadsheets, and a bottomless to-do list.

But here’s the truth: resetting your week doesn’t have to take all day. It doesn’t even have to take an hour.

It just has to work for you.

Whether you’re managing a household, running a business (hi, fellow Airbnb hosts!), or just trying to keep your life from unraveling between Monday and Friday, this simple, real-life weekly reset routine will help you feel more grounded, focused, and ready to take on whatever the week throws at you.

Let’s break it down — with some personal examples along the way.

For me, Sunday afternoon is the sweet spot. The house is relatively calm, the kids are usually in a screen-time daze, and I’m not yet dreading Monday. But your “reset day” doesn’t have to be Sunday.

One of my friends does her reset on Friday afternoons right after work — she says it helps her enjoy the weekend more fully. Another mom I know swears by Monday mornings while the baby naps.

Try this: Ask yourself when you have a natural pocket of time — 30 to 60 minutes — and block it on your calendar. Treat it like a meeting with your future self.

I keep a small notebook on my desk labeled “Brain Dump.” Glamorous? No. Effective? Absolutely.

Here’s what mine looked like last Sunday:

•  Buy snacks for kids’ field trip
•  Email Airbnb guest re: check-in/Welcome kit
•  Schedule zoom with marketing client
•  Schedule dentist appointment
•  Write blog draft (yes, this one)

A brain dump gets the chaos out of your head and onto paper, so you can stop spinning and start sorting.

Tip: Use your Notes app if you’re more digital. The point is to get everything — big or small — out of your mind and visible.

Once your brain dump is done, choose:

•  3 priorities (e.g., launch that new Airbnb listing, meal prep, help kid with science project)
•  2 habits (e.g., drink more water, bedtime by 11)
•  1 joy item (e.g., walk at the park, read for fun)

This framework keeps your week purposeful without turning your reset into a productivity trap.

Example from my own week:

•  Priorities: Update Airbnb listing, finish draft of journal prompts (coming soon), schedule physical therapy
•  Habits: No phone after 9 PM, stretch every morning
•  Joy: Make brownies with the kids (and actually sit down to eat them together)

This isn’t deep cleaning — it’s triage. I set a timer for 15 minutes and tackle whatever area has turned into a minor disaster zone.

Last week it was the “everything drawer” in my office. The week before? My desk, which had started to look like a post-apocalyptic stationery store.

What you can do in 15 minutes:

•  Toss a load of laundry in
•  Clear your kitchen counters
•  Empty the trash and recycling
•  Wipe down your bathroom mirror
•  Open a window, light a candle

Pro tip: Put on a playlist. Make it feel like a reset, not a punishment.

This step is crucial. I sit down with my digital calendar (Google Calendar FTW) and paper planner to:

•  Review appointments
•  Block focus time for work
•  Add kid logistics
•  Leave white space on purpose

I used to fill every hour like I was trying to win a prize. Now, I aim to have at least one evening with nothing scheduled. Even if all I do is scroll Pinterest with a face mask on, it’s mine.

Bonus: I’ll sometimes plan 2–3 days of meals and pick out my Monday outfit. It saves me from decision fatigue when I’m barely awake and someone’s asking where their other shoe is.

Once the reset is done, I make myself a cup of tea (peppermint, always), light a candle, and either journal or read something non-work related. That small ritual marks the end of the reset and the beginning of a fresh week.

Here are a few other ideas:

•  Go for a 20-minute walk
•  Do a 5-minute meditation
•  Watch a comfort show episode
•  Write one sentence in a gratitude journal

It doesn’t matter what the ritual is — it just matters that it’s yours.

Some weeks, my reset looks like the full version above. Other weeks, it’s a rushed brain dump on a sticky note and wiping down the kitchen counters before bedtime.

And that’s okay.

The magic isn’t in doing it perfectly. It’s in doing it at all.

This reset routine works because it gives me:

•  Clarity (I know what matters this week)
•  Calm (My space isn’t fighting me)
•  Confidence (I’ve already taken small steps forward)

And when Monday hits — whether it’s with back-to-back meetings, forgotten library books, or spilled coffee — I’m already one step ahead.

There’s no “right” way to reset your week. Start small. Steal the parts of this routine that resonate and ditch the rest. The goal isn’t to be perfect — it’s to feel prepared.

And remember: done is better than perfect. A 20-minute reset is infinitely better than none at all.

You’ve got this.

P.S. Ready to Make Space for You in the Middle of It All?

If this blog resonated with you — especially the part about making room for joy and not just chores — you’ll love my upcoming book, Mom Take Center Stage.

It’s for every woman who’s tired of living backstage in her own life and is ready to reclaim her time, her voice, and her worth (without guilt).

Want early access, behind-the-scenes updates, and some exclusive bonus content?

Join the waitlist here

Let’s stop surviving the week — and start owning it.