Hi there, everyone! I’m back and cannot believe how quickly January has passed! I usually think January drags on and on, but not this year. This week, like every other, is full of things for me to check off my list. I’m working on my second blog post about Italy and my first installment, coming later this week, She’s Such A Jam Monthly Round Up. So be on the look out for more new posts this week!!
Today, I wanted to talk a little bit about little things I do each weekend to help my week be less stressful, more enjoyable, and productive. Yes, it’s possible! These 5 little things help me close out my weekend feeling rested and ready for the week, and really help me later in the week when I’m tired and can’t wait for the weekend.
+Prepping Meals-I don’t know about you, but I cannot prep meals too far ahead of time or for the entire week without getting tired of the same thing. I just do not want to eat meat I made Sunday five days later, that’s just me. I just can’t! However, I do do some prepping to make meals and especially dinner time easier.
- Wash and cut/slice all of your fruits and vegetables and put them into containers. This will make them easy to access during the week for breakfast, lunches or dinner.
- Plan your weekly meals ahead of time. I don’t know how you all do your grocery shopping, but I order everything online, drive right up and they load it into my car and I’m out of there. Online ordering also helps me plan meals for the week and make sure I have everything I need for a recipe. Taking care of this during the weekend helps a ton. And because it’s online takes 5-10 minutes max!
- Prep a meal for your crock pot or instant pot, or both! This one is a lifesaver! It’s so easy to throw all the ingredients into your pot Sunday night, put it in the fridge, take it out in the morning or evening for instant pot and done! Nothing is better than walking into the house after a Monday and smelling dinner waiting for you. If you have both a crock pot and instant pot, make a meal for both and you instantly have two days of dinner meals ready to go.
- Pack your breakfast and lunch the night before so it doesn’t hold you up in the morning. This also helps me plan for healthy eating throughout the day because I’ve packed my breakfast, lunch and snacks ahead of time. My go to breakfast foods: boiled eggs, cheese, yogurt, oatmeal, fruit. Usually my lunch is left overs from the night before.
- Have snacks on hand and ready to go. Snacks I usually have on hand: boiled eggs, variety of string cheese, chocolate rice cakes, popcorn, fruits and veggies. Most every Sunday I boil at least 6-10 eggs. I use them throughout the week for breakfast and snacks. It’s easy and already prepared when I’m hungry or in a rush.
+Plan your outfits on Sunday night-I started doing this when my schedule changed and I started getting up at 5:30 in the morning. I cannot tell you how many mornings I was late leaving the house because I just did not know what to wear! I’d stand in my closest trying to decide and just waste time! Now, I plan all my outfits on Sunday, when the day rolls around I just grab my outfit and I’m good to go. No more debating, worrying about time, none of it.
I also make sure to pack a few gym outfits into my gym bag. Taking the think out of these little tasks helps me to just get it done or when I have unexpected time in between work, appointments, a friend wants to meet for a workout, whatever, if I have my bagged packed I can stop and workout because I already have all my necessities with me.
- Pick out 5 outfits for the week. Hang at the front of your closet, put together, ready to go(top, bottoms, accessories)
- Iron anything needing to be ironed and add to your items.
- Throw at least 2 days of workout clothes into you gym bag(2 tops, 2 bottoms, 2 sports bras, 2 socks, hair ties, tennis shoes.)
+Make a To-Do List-If you know me, you know I love lists, like love. I really can’t help it. For one, I need help remembering little things I don’t commonly do thorough the week, so I need to write them down and secondly, I like the feeling of accomplishment when I cross something off, or finish the whole list! For real. Lists help me stay on track and productive throughout the week. You can go old school and write your lists out, I still do this at my office, or use your smart phone. There are tons of note taking apps you can download, I personally, just make a note in my phone and check off what I’ve completed. I like having my list in my phone because I have it with me the majority of the time and can reference it, add things, check items off. It’s handy and it works! If you’re not a list person, you should really give it a try.
+Look at your planner-I’m a huge advocate of using your weekend to relax and rejuvenate for the week and leaving work at the office. However, I do find it helpful to glance at my calendar to see what I have scheduled for the week. A way of mentally planning for the week. With a full time job, my own business seeing clients after work, traveling, doctor’s appointments and all the usual life activities, I often store events in my calendar ahead of time and it helps to review what I have scheduled for the week. Also, if I need to throw something in my car I don’t usually carry with me, grab some documents off the desk, etc. I can do it on Sunday and it saves me time the day of.
+Turn your bathroom into a mini spa and relax-Although, it is super helpful to plan ahead and get things ready for the week, the most important thing you can do for yourself on Sunday is get some ME time in. Days and weeks get busy and even a few minutes of taking care of yourself can help you decompress and relax. Sunday night, turn your bathroom into a spa. Take a long shower or bath. And I’m not talking a quick in and out 5 minute shower! I’m talking a relaxing, I’m not going anywhere after this shower or bath. You know there’s a difference! Maybe light a candle or add some essential oil to your water if you have some. I make sure to deep condition my hair or use my sugar body scrub. Something I just don’t have time to do during the week. Finish with a quick face mask. I love sheet masks and every Sunday I use one either on my whole face, under my eyes, my lips, maybe both. Either way, I lay down relaxed and ready for a good night’s rest.
I hope your new year is off to a great start and these five little tips help keep you motivated, save you time and make your week easier. Talk to you soon, everyone!
