Hey friend,
You know that feeling we get every Sunday night that can only be describe as "uuuggghhhhhh!"? Maybe it's just me, idk.
Let me paint the picture, just in case you're not feeling me: It's 7pm on Sunday, the weekend is officially over, and you can feel Monday breathing down your neck like the lady behind you in the Starbucks line when you're still trying to decide. That little pit in your stomach that says "where did the weekend GO?"
One minute it's Friday afternoon and you're celebrating freedom, and the next minute you're staring down another week of chaos wondering how you're supposed to do this all over again.
For the longest time, I spent every Sunday evening in this weird anxiety spiral. Half-watching TV, half scrolling to the dozens of emails I get a day, fully dreading Monday morning. I'd go to bed feeling unprepared, overwhelmed, and already exhausted before the week even started.
Not exactly the vibe.
So I started experimenting with a Sunday night routine, a simple reset that actually helps me feel calmer and more in control. And it really has changed how I approach my entire week.
Why Sunday Nights Feel So Heavy (The "Sunday Scaries" Are Real)
There's actually a name for this feeling: the "Sunday Scaries." That mix of anxiety, dread, and mild panic about the week ahead.
And it makes sense, right? Your weekend freedom is ending. The to-do list is waiting. Work stress is creeping back in. Your inbox is probably a disaster. And your brain is already running through everything you need to do starting at 8am Monday.
No wonder Sunday nights feel heavy.
You can't control Monday. But you CAN control how you prepare for it.
And that preparation? It doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming. Just make sure it's intentional.
My Sunday Night Routine (The Real, Doable Version)
Here's what I do on Sunday nights to help myself feel ready for the week - even when I don't want to.
1. Brain Dump Everything in My Journal (10 Minutes)
First thing I do: grab my journal and dump out every single thought swirling in my head.
What's stressing me out about this week? What do I need to remember? What's taking up mental space?
I just write it all out. No filter. No organization. Just brain-to-paper download.
Then I reflect on the past week:
What went well?
What didn't go so well?
What am I grateful for?
What small win made me feel proud?
This clears the mental clutter and gives me actual clarity instead of just spinning anxiety.
Pro tip: I use my digital journal for this. Digital journals are awesome because you can have many different journals readily available at all times. Get my favorite one here
2. Tidy Up My Space (15-20 Minutes)
Your environment impacts your energy WAY more than you think.
Notice how you feel when you walk into a clean, organized space? Calm. Peaceful. Ready.
Now notice how you feel walking into chaos? Stressed before you even start.
So I spend 15-20 minutes on Sunday night tidying up:
Put away clutter
Fluff the pillows
Light a candle
Make my space feel good
I'm not going for magazine-perfect, no thought to post it on the 'gram (I'm IG-less anyway so that's not a thing for me but just in case the thought crosses your mind). I'm going for "this feels calming and I feel less likely to scream Monday morning."
Bonus tip: I put on my favorite music or a good podcast while I do this. Makes it feel less like a chore and more like self-care.
3. Plan Meals and Outfits for the Week (20 Minutes)
Real talk: Monday morning decisions are THE WORST. You're already mad that it arrived so quickly.
"What am I going to wear?" "What am I eating for lunch?" "Why didn't I do this yesterday??"
So I take those decisions OFF the table Sunday night.
For meals: I don't do elaborate meal prep (because who has time?), but I do:
Check what's in the fridge
Make a quick grocery list if needed
Prep easy grab-and-go options (mason jar salads, overnight oats, cut-up veggies, and of course some salty and/or sweet snacks because I'm not perfect. ha!)
For outfits: I pick out Monday's outfit (sometimes the whole week if I'm feeling ambitious). One less decision means one less thing to drain my brain power.
Pro tip: Mason jars are my SECRET WEAPON. A nice greek yogurt parfait and overnight oats are my jam
4. Take a Slow, Guilt-Free Self-Care Moment (30-60 Minutes)
This is non-negotiable for me now.
Sunday night is when I actually SLOW DOWN and do something that feels nourishing:
Hot bath or shower (I prefer a shower with a lavender shower steamer - GAME CHANGER)
Skincare routine
Reading (or listening to) a few pages of a good book
Just... being still
No guilt. No "I should be doing something productive."
This is the time I remind myself: My well-being is not negotiable. It's necessary.
5. Create a Music or Meditation Moment (10 Minutes)
I'll either:
Make a playlist that matches my mood
Meditate for 10 minutes (even if my brain is all over the place)
Just sit in silence with some soothing sounds
This is my moment to check in with myself. To recalibrate. To give my nervous system a break from the constant GO GO GO.
And if my body feels the urge to move? I let it. Sometimes I grab a hair brush, water bottle or whatever I can get my hands on to serve as my microphone and I perform a whole concert for myself. No, I cannot sing. Yes, I look crazy. Do I care? Nope. Why? because it's fun, it feels good and I do not take myself that seriously!
6. Set Intentions for Monday (5 Minutes)
I grab my planner and write down 2-3 key tasks for Monday. Not 47 tasks. Not an overwhelming list. Just 2-3 things that matter.
This way, I wake up Monday morning with a clear focus and direction. That keeps me on track, on time and more likely to be productive.
Prompt I use: "What's one small thing I can do tomorrow to move toward my goals?"
That's it. Simple. Doable. Not overwhelming.
7. Unplug and Unwind (60 Minutes Before Bed)
This is one may be hard for some of you, and it was also hard for me at one time but I made the decision to delete most social media from my life. That means no Instagram, Facebook or Tiktok for me. However, my brain is constantly thinking and fretting over my business, Positively Penned. If I'm not researching blog post topics, I'm designing digital products, working on the website, pinning to pinterest or updating Etsy. It's constant work but it's my baby so I love it. But I know for sure that I need to rest. I need downtime or I'm an anxious mess.
So I try (keyword: TRY) to have a chill out hour before bed:
Journal
Read
Stretch
Listen to soft music
watch reality tv
Just... be
If you're really "about that life": Remove your devices from your bedroom entirely. Create a true sanctuary for sleep.
I'm not perfect at this. But on the nights I actually do it? I sleep SO much better.
8. Express Gratitude Before Sleep (2 Minutes)
As Sunday night comes to a close, I take a deep breath and think of three things I'm grateful for.
It doesn't have to be profound. Sometimes it's just:
"I'm grateful my bed is comfortable"
"I'm grateful I have hot water"
"I'm grateful I made it through another week"
This simple practice shifts my brain from stress mode to peace mode. And I fall asleep with a calmer heart.
You Don't Have to Do All 8 (Start With One)
Listen, I don't do all of these every single Sunday. Some weeks I'm tired. Some weeks I just don't feel like it. Some weeks I skip half of them and just do what I can.
And that's okay.
The goal isn't perfection. The goal is to do SOMETHING intentional that helps you feel more prepared and less anxious about the week ahead.
Start with ONE thing from this list. Just one.
Maybe it's the brain dump journal session. Maybe it's tidying your space. Maybe it's just unplugging an hour before bed.
Pick one. Try it for a few Sundays. See how it feels.
Then add another if you want. Or don't. There are no rules here.
If you're new to journaling and would like some tips, check out: How to Start a Daily Journaling Habit That Actually Sticks
Final Thoughts
Sunday night routines are personal. What works for me might not work for you. And that's completely fine.
The important thing is this: You deserve to start your week feeling calm, not chaotic.
You deserve a moment to reset. To breathe. To remind yourself that you've got this.
Every new week is a fresh opportunity - a chance to realign with your goals, take care of yourself, and show up as the best version of you.
So how will you shape your Sunday night routine?
Drop your ideas in the comments - I'd love to hear what helps YOU prep for the week ahead.
Here's to peaceful Sunday nights and Monday mornings that don't completely suck. 💙
P.S. Need a planner to track your weekly intentions and reflections? Check out my wellness planner - designed specifically for goal-setting, habit tracking, and staying grounded through the chaos.
P.P.S. If Sunday anxiety is really hitting hard, try my journaling for stress relief techniques. Sometimes we need more than just a routine - we need to process what's actually causing the stress.
