Have you ever started your week off not knowing where to even begin because everything just seems out of place and you have a million things running through your head? Have you ever considered that maybe all.the.things. should actually be written down on your weekly to-do list? If your answer is yes, then you’re not alone. It’s easy to fall into a vicious cycle of going from week to week flying by the seat of your pants, especially for us moms. What if there was a better way? Well, the good news is that there is a better method; and what time is better than the new year to start planning and prepping for a successful future.
“Today is your opportunity to build the tomorrow you want.”
–Ken Poirot
This quote rings so true. You can prepare in such a way where your week can start off a lot more successful and less stressful.
Here are 6 things that you can start implementing in your weekend routine to achieve just that:
1. MEAL PREP
Most people don’t even want to think about this step especially on their days off, but once you start implementing this step into your weekly to-do list, it will become second nature. This will not only help take some workload off of you but will help save you money and time during the week. Here are a few things you should keep in mind when meal prepping:
- Keep it Simple. This is not the time to try a crazy recipe. Stick to what you know and make larger batches. Start with prepping one meal and then build from there. For example, maybe this week you can just do dinners and then next week you can do lunch and dinner and a week after that all three. Even just prepping one of those meals will help you save time in the long run.
Read More: 21 Instant Pot Recipe Ideas
- Breakfast Prep. Most of the time we run late in the mornings because we’re trying to scramble everything together to get out the door. Every minute counts especially when you have kids. Deciding what you and your family will have for breakfast the night before and setting that side, will make you feel more at ease and more in control of your morning.
- Stock up on Healthy Snacks. Stock up on fruit and healthy snacks on the weekends so that that you can eat them in between meals during the weekday. Use snack size zip lock bags to make the appropriate portions. This will help you and your family not to overindulge. You can cut up some fruit like apples or some of your favorite vegetables and store them in the fridge.
2. Laundry
One of the best things that you can do for yourself is to do your laundry only once a week. Pick a day like Saturday or Sunday where it may not be as hectic with activities.
One of the best things that you can do for yourself and your sanity is only doing two loads per week. Have a dark and a light basket for the appropriate clothing and throw them in the wash while you’re meal prepping. If you find it hard to do only two loads per week, then it may be time to do some de-cluttering.
3. Clean House
Cleaning is something that most people dread but it can actually be less of a dreadful task if you learn how to maintain the cleanliness of your house throughout the week. Creating good habits for yourself and your kids will not only help you to have more time to do other, more fun tasks but will also eliminate the hours that you will need to spend on the weekend trying to tidy up the house.
Spending about 20 minutes each evening just making sure the dishes are washed, the tables are wiped, and the floors are swept will help you start every morning off on the right foot. You won’t be spending 5 extra minutes trying to wash a pan that you need to use in the morning or the coffee mug that you need to take with you. Of course, on the weekends you should add to your weekly to-do list by cleaning a few other places that you couldn’t get to during the week such as washing your floors and cleaning the bathrooms.
Read More: How to Clean Your House Without Any Harsh Chemicals
4. Weekly To-Do List
One of the best ways to keep track of your week is to make a weekly to-do list. This will take only 5 minutes of your time but will help you to plan your week accordingly so that you can have peace of mind. Attach a weekly to-do list calendar onto your fridge or in a visible place in your house and update it every weekend accordingly.
You’ll be amazed at the peace of mind that you will have. No longer will your mind be filled with different thoughts and activities flying in and through your head. They will be on paper, visible for all your family to see so that you no longer have to think about it or try to remember.
5. Plan an Outdoor Adventure
We all look forward to weekends, so taking care of that to-do list shouldn’t be the only thing that you think about and do. Sure, the work has to be done, but when you make it a part of your weekend routine, you’ll be able to take care of the work part in just a few hours and have the rest to spend with your family and make some sweet memories.
Because we tend to go 100 miles per hour during the weekdays, it is so important to take the time to get outdoors. Nature has a way of resetting our minds and get us excited about life again. Most states have several trails that you can walk. Schedule a hike or go on a bike ride. This is a great way for you to decompress and also reconnect with your family.
Read More: 15 Outdoor Activity Ideas That Are Kid Friendly
6. Play Games with Your Family
During the fall season, some weekends may be limited to certain outdoor activities and this is where having some fun games to play indoors makes all the difference. You can find some of the top-rated games on Amazon like Apples to Apples, Taboo, Uno, and of course, Monopoly.
Need Some Board Game Ideas? Here are the top Amazon Rated Board Games.
All of these steps may seem very foreign and uncomfortable at first, but when they become a part of your routine, you will see how big of a difference it makes during the week. You will stress less and have time for more important things.
Remember, life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful. As long as you remain disciplined and consistent with your weekly to-do list then you will start feeling a greater sense of accomplishment and success every day.
Photo Credits: Unsplash.com
