I love spending my Sundays doing as close to nothing as possible. For me, Sundays are definitely a day of rest and making time for self care. But they’re also a day of action and growth too — which is where Sunday routines come in.
In this guide, I wanted to cover everything you need to know about Sunday routines. We’ll go through what they are, why they’re so useful, how to create your own, and some fun ideas on what to include in your dream Sunday routine.
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What is a Sunday routine?
At its most simple, a Sunday routine is any sequence of tasks that you typically carry out on that day. Here, we’re looking at a Sunday routine as a pattern you can follow each week to help you close out the week nicely and set you up for success in the week ahead.
Some people have only a morning or evening routine, while others might have a list that they continue throughout the day. It’s all about finding something that feels achievable and worthwhile for you.
Creating a Sunday routine is a great place to start if you want to get more organized and find more joy and purpose throughout your week. It’s the perfect day of the week to refresh and welcome change — which is why self care Sunday is also so popular.
If you usually work on Sundays, swap your routine to whichever day feels most like “Sunday” to you. The actual day of the week doesn’t matter — it’s more about the energy and atmosphere.
Some of the best benefits of having a Sunday routine
There are so many great reasons to embrace having a Sunday routine. Organizing a few of your weekly tasks into one block at the end of the week can have a real impact on the rest of your week.
A Sunday routine can help you:
- Feel more organized
- Tackle things you’ve been putting off
- Start the next week feeling more prepared
- Save money — if you include meal prepping or tracking your budget
- Create a better work/life balance
- Feel comfortable with adding more rest to your schedule
- With goal setting and reaching your ambitions
I love the idea of tying your Sunday routine to a goal — like getting more organized, or finding more work/life balance. This is a great way to give it extra value and depth, and the act of having the routine itself also contributes to reaching these goals. It’s a win-win!
How to create your own Sunday routine
One of the best things about Sunday routines is that they’re easy to start. All you need is a few simple steps and you’re ready to begin shaping your Sundays into a day of rest, productivity, and joy.
Here’s how to create your very own Sunday routine.
1. Make a list of things you could add to your routine
It’s not a routine without things to do, so the first step is to gather ideas on how to fill out your Sunday routine.
Think about all the tasks that you want to accomplish, but don’t find time to fit into your week. Create columns or group tasks and activities by type — like self care, life admin, career, and life goals. List all the possible activities you can think of that might work well in a Sunday morning or evening routine.
Want a shortcut to this step? I’ve listed some of my favorite Sunday routine activity ideas in the section below. Read through those, add your own, and build a master list of things you could add to your routine.
2. Prioritize and sort through your list
You should now have a sizable list of ideas and prompts that you can use to build a routine. You probably don’t want to include all of them — the idea is to have a routine that feels achievable and easy to complete, instead of being overwhelming. That’s why it’s a great idea to edit your list down and prioritize what matters most.
Look through your list and see what stands out. Think about what your overall goal is, or what challenges you’re facing. Use that to inspire your first iteration of what a Sunday routine looks like. Continue to add or remove items until you have a more manageable list of ideas.
A Sunday routine usually features a mix of chores, relaxation, self care ideas, and planning. I love a cozy, calm Sunday as much as anyone, but adding in a few “must do” tasks helps give us balance and structure too.
3. Turn your list into a routine
Having a list of ideas is great, but how do you turn that into an actual routine? With our lives all looking so different, there’s no one way to organize your activities and plans that works for everyone.
Instead, take a look at your shortlist of ideas and figure out how they work best with your lifestyle and commitments. Maybe you want a chore-focused morning so you can relax in the afternoon, or maybe you want to sleep in and enjoy a slower morning, with a more productive burst of energy later on.
Play around with your activity and task ideas until you’re happy with a routine that looks like it’ll work. It doesn’t have to be perfect — just something you’re excited about trying and that has potential.
4. Continue to edit your routine over time
I’m a big believer in changing things up if they don’t work for you. Apply that to your Sunday routine, and continue to edit and adjust it as your needs and goals change.
Maybe you discover that waking early to tackle chores doesn’t work for you, or you get a new job that means your all-important self care routine in the afternoon needs to move to another time or day. Embrace change, be flexible, and remember that your Sunday routine can always be adjusted to match your new normal.
18 ideas and activities you could feature in your Sunday routine
Most of us love the idea of a routine that gives us structure and balance, but it’s not always easy to come up with the tasks that make that a reality.
To help you figure things out, here are some of my favorite tasks and practices that work really well in a Sunday routine or as part of a Sunday reset routine.
1. Tidy and declutter
Take some time in the morning to clean up or schedule some time on a Sunday afternoon to find the motivation to declutter a different space each week. If you find you enjoy this, make it part of your daily routine to keep your home tidy and organized.
2. Clean your space
Put together a cleaning schedule that matches your needs and energy levels. Leave the majority of your cleaning to Sunday, or use this as an opportunity to quickly sweep floors, dust, and make your kitchen sparkle. I find that having a morning cleaning routine can really help cut down on how much you have to do at the weekend.
3. Enjoy a workout
Make a gentle stretching or yoga session part of your morning routine, or create a habit of going for a swim every Sunday afternoon. Find an exercise or workout that you enjoy, and build a routine around it to add a spark of energy and positivity to your Sunday.
4. Express your gratitude
Buy or DIY your own gratitude journal (like this super cute gratitude journal* from ban.do) and make it a habit to write in it every morning, or write a daily gratitude list as part of your winding down routine in the evenings. This is a great way to recognize positive moments, reflect on your progress, and find fresh motivation for the coming week.
5. Stay on top of the laundry
Strive to put at least one load of laundry on as part of your Sunday routine. This could be lights, darks, towels, or bed linen. I always feel like I’m behind on the laundry, so having some time on Sunday mornings to catch up with it helps me feel better prepared for the new week.
6. Plan your menu for the week ahead
Meal prep for the week ahead or create a list of everything you’ll need, so you can spend less time grocery shopping and more time on other activities you enjoy. Not only does this help you stay organized, but it’s a great way to focus your mind on your menu and explore new recipes, make a habit change, or save money.
7. Work on a side hustle
Chase your dreams and dedicate some of your Sunday hours to a side hustle, freelance business, or blog that you’d one day like to turn into a work from home source of income. As a freelance writer I spend most of my week writing for other people, so making time for my blog is hard — that’s why I write most of my posts (including this one!) on a Sunday.
8. Embrace some screen-free time
Step away from the computer, phone, and TV for a while to enjoy some screen-free time. Put on a face mask, play a board game, read a good book, cook a new recipe, and embrace some wellness activities you normally forget about. I love a good Netflix binge as much as you, but some time away from the screens to embrace the simple pleasures in life always feels good. If you’re looking for fresh ideas, ban.do’s games & activities* section has tons of fun games.
9. Make time for a hobby
Create some time in your Sunday routine for a relaxing hobby or interest you currently love or are curious about trying. Make plans to attend a meet up, go shopping for craft supplies, or learn how to code. Find something that excites you, and prioritize it on Sundays.
10. Catch up with friends
Use your Sundays to stay in touch with people you care about. Plan a brunch date with a friend, or call a loved one to check in on how they’re doing. Sunday routines help us show up as our best self not only for us, but those around us. It’s a great moment to connect with loved ones and friends.
11. Head outside
Step outside your home and get outside for a little while. Go for a short walk, spend some time in the garden, or drive to a beauty spot to take in the view. Time spent outside can really boost your mood and help you feel energized. This is especially valuable if, like me, you spend most of your week in front of your PC screen.
12. Take care of life admin
Give yourself time and space on a Sunday to tackle some of those frustrating life admin tasks. This includes family, education, work, healthcare, vehicle, and home tasks. Organize your email inbox, make appointments, and anything else that needs doing but doesn’t feel like a priority on another day of the week.
13. Check in on your bank balance
Embrace a healthier approach to money management by using some of your Sunday to check your bank balance and update your budget. You could even make this a more in-depth time to focus on personal finance, investing, budgeting, and other money-related topics if you have a big goal in mind.
14. Learn something new
Stay curious and keep learning by giving yourself space to be a student again. Listen to a podcast on how to start your own business, take an online class on graphic design, or watch a documentary about culture or the world around you.
15. Plan your outfits
Plan your outfits for the next day or the rest of the week, so there’s no time wasted in the mornings. Shop your wardrobe to create a new look, or stick with your old favorites on repeat. Take this a step further and have fun creating a capsule or minimalist wardrobe, where you can create lots of looks from just a handful of pieces.
16. Write a to-do list for next week
Make a list of everything you need to tackle in the week ahead, and prioritize it. Do this not just for your work week, but other areas of your life too. Having a to-do list sets you up for a productive week, as you know exactly what needs to happen and when. Plus, it makes those Monday mornings feel calmer. Add some fun to your planning with a colorful taskpad* from Talking Out Of Turn.
17. Update your calendar
Get into the habit of updating your calendar on a Sunday, so you know it’s always current and relevant for the coming days. Add work deadlines, personal appointments, birthdays, reminders, and notes. Use this as an opportunity to plan ahead for these moments so you feel more prepared.
18. Prepare for a good night’s sleep
Create a Sunday night or evening routine designed to help you sleep better and get more rest, so you can start the next week feeling good. Switch off your screens early, enjoy a relaxing shower or bath, do a short skincare routine, check off some items from your self care menu, and head to bed early.
An example of a short and sweet Sunday routine
Your Sunday routine doesn’t have to be complicated or filled with super productive tasks. The goal is to create a routine you enjoy, that helps you achieve some of your goals, and also gives you space to relax and take a breath.
Here’s an example of a simple yet rewarding Sunday routine:
Morning
- Put a load of laundry on
- Enjoy a good breakfast
- Spend some time reading or journaling
- Listen to your favorite playlist
Afternoon
- Write a new meal plan or prepare meals for the week ahead
- Spend some time on a hobby or side hustle
- Call, text, or catch up with a friend
Evening
- Put away laundry or prep another load
- Write a to-do list for the week ahead
- Add to your grocery list
- Do a quick tidy around the home so that it feels refreshed
This routine has a great mix between chores and self care, with some useful planning for the week ahead too. If you’re not sure where to start, take this and modify it slightly to create the foundations for your own Sunday routine that helps you avoid those Sunday scaries.
What would your ideal Sunday routine look like?
The best Sunday routine is the one that works for you. What would yours look like? What would make it to your must-do list, and what could you leave behind? Let me know in the comments!
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