1. Be a lady in the streets & a freak in the [clean] sheets
It may not seem like much, but washing your sheets can make a WORLD of difference in starting your week off on the right foot. Until college, I would go weeks, even months (cringe), without washing my bedding. I thought if my sheets didn’t look dirty, then what’s the harm in letting them go? The truth is, dirty sheets can cause a host of problems. As you lay in your bed, your body leaves behind oils and germs which if left too long can lead to breakouts and colds. The more time you spend in your bed, the quicker it becomes dirty. So if you’re like me and weekend Netflix binges happen a little too frequently, then it’s safe to say your bed will need a thorough wash after a week or two.
2. Give yourself some TLC!
Taking time on Sunday to give yourself a little extra TLC can help you feel refreshed and ready to take on even the busiest of weeks. Incorporating a facemask or antiaging serum into your Sunday skincare routine can keep your skin glowing and combat the effects of stress. But if that’s not your thing, then try upgrading your shower game. This can mean lighting a couple of candles and throwing in a bath bomb, or just taking a few extra minutes to exfoliate your body or deep condition your hair. Whatever you decide, it’s important to spend this time indulging in something that you find relaxing and will help save some time during the week.
3. Clear your space
Typically, this means doing the things you might not have time for during the week. Things that take a little extra time, like cleaning the bathroom, vacuuming the carpet, and doing laundry, are good tasks to set aside for a Sunday. However, in shared spaces like the dorms, it’s not always easy to do a deep cleaning. Instead, clearing your space could mean rearranging or getting rid of knick-knacks surrounding your work space. For example, freshman year, I surrounded my desk with pictures of friends and family, and although it helped ease some homesickness, I found that when I cleared that space I was able to better focus on my school work. Creating a space that is tidy will not only keep you organized, but it will also motivate you to be more productive overall, which in turn will benefit you the rest of the week.
4. Get your Zen on
Whether you are a Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, or your only spiritual experience happened once at an EDM festival, taking time out of your week to do some inner reflection is SO important. Use ten minutes to reflect on the week you just had. Was it stressful? Did you have a lot on your plate? Did you use your time effectively? Is there anything you could’ve done differently? The answers to these questions may help you figure out how you can make your next week better. You can also use this time to focus on the things that matter to you, like friends, family, hobbies, and passions. Determining what motivates you can help you set future goals. I found taking this time to focus on myself allowed me to approach the next week feeling more recharged and self-aware.
5. Hasta la lista, baby
Are deadlines approaching? Are you running low on something? Do you need to make a call or schedule an appointment? Writing down what you want to accomplish in the upcoming week is a great tool to visually organize your priorities and plan ahead. In addition to staying on top of things, writing a to-do list can help you maintain a productive attitude. You can get creative using a notebook or a dry erase board, but whatever you choose, make sure it’s something you can stay consistent with. I’ve found that using the notes section of my phone works best for me. I organize my list by topic, and once I complete something, I put the green check mark emoji next to it.
Note: While you can start working on your to-do list over the weekend, you obviously can’t accomplish everything in a day. (Nor should you!). The point of a productive Sunday is to help you become better prepared to take on the week ahead, not to push yourself to an unattainable standard.