When it’s been a long week, with not the best sleep. Eating on the go, drinking too much coffee and too many sugary snacks. Most nights crashing out with exhaustion, then the alarm clock wakes you up with a shock. It feels like you haven’t even slept, and you feel out of balance with the chaos of daily life. Give yourself the gift of time, and fill your cup. Recharge, renew, revitalize and most importantly, have fun.
Here are a few things to prep for the weekend reset, to save time and allow for maximum relaxation:
- Groceries for the whole weekend including 1 vacation theme dinner for Saturday.
- Candles or soft lighting
- Movie/series selection
- Journal (digital or manual)
- Creative supplies (if needed)
- Vision board pictures (if making manually)
- Some Yoga and guided meditations saved
- Chill playlist (lofi, high vibe, feel good music)
Home Retreat Guide
Friday Evening
Clear Space:
Tidy up your living space. Decluttering helps create a sense of calm. It’s up to you how deep you want to go. I know I can get carried away, so I will set 2 timers. 1 with 45 mins to clean, then a second one for 10 mins to wrap it up. So I dont spend all night cleaning. 😅
Long Shower:
Take a relaxing, mindful shower to wash away the stress of the week. Not necessarily an everything shower, I view it more as a big hug or meditation.
Candlelit ‘Girl Dinner’
At the end of the week you can be more tired than you realize, especially mentally. So I would say 100% to eat intuitively on this day. Maybe this is the day you have your ‘cheat meal’, order takeaway, or throw together a grazing board or ‘girl dinner’, indulging in your own mini buffet. Personally I sometimes opt for the most basic of basics with some oven fries and fried chicken or fish (also frozen and cooked in the oven). I will get a selection of my favorite dips and whatever else I may have leftover from the week, e.g. carrot sticks and mini pickles. Of course if your body is telling you it wants a 3 course dinner, then do it. The focus is on relaxation and enjoyment.
Enjoy it by candlelight to create a cozy ambiance. This is also definitely one time I am casual about screen time, so I usually catch up my scrolling.
Facial and Skincare Routine:
Treat your skin to a pampering facial. Follow up with your favorite skincare routine. Deep cleanse, calming, moisture boost? There is something for everyone 😊. (Deep cleansing can be very refreshing, just be aware, if you have an event coming up, the deep clean might bring up any pimples that are under the surface).
Before Bed
Feel-Good Movie:
Settle in to watch a feel-good movie that brings joy and relaxation. No horrors or sad movies! It could be something from your childhood, or I love a good ‘100 greatest ….’ countdown list. There are tons of these on YouTube, and they can really bring back some memories.
Saturday
Slow Morning:
Wake up naturally, without an alarm. Take your time to stretch and enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Prepare it with love like you were making it for someone else on their birthday. And sit down to eat, no rushing, no multitasking, no thinking of ‘to do lists’ then rushing out the door for work. Just enjoy.
Journaling:
Spend some time journaling your thoughts, your dreams, and reflections. What are your goals? It can be good to have a mini audit and evaluation of where you are at, and if it is on the right track for where you want to go. Then plan out any adjustments, or perhaps you have a whole new approach or idea. Start to make a framework and keep working towards your goals. Dont know what to write? Do a brain dump, where you literally write whatever is in your head. It does not need to make any sense and can be very theraputic.
Afternoon
Homemade Lunch:
Prepare a nutritious and delicious lunch for yourself.
Nature Walk:
Take a walk in nature (if possible). Maybe a nearby park or nature reserve. Connect with the beauty of the outdoors. ‘Forest bathing’ is really a thing. With origins in Japan, this practice is a method of relaxation and de-stressing. Being calm and quiet among the trees, just observing nature and being mindful, can boost well being in a natural way. If you dont live near a green area, just getting out is great! When I lived in a big city I would go for walks listening to french music, and pretend I was in the streets of Paris. Maybe you are in Tokyo, or New York, let your imagination be free.
Creative Time 1:
Engage in a hobby you enjoy, It could be something you used to love as a child, or something you have always wanted to try. Painting, reading, knitting, glass painting. Or that extravagant cake recipe you have had saved for months. The options are endless with countless free ‘how to’ tutorials online. Let your creativity run wild.
Dinner with a Vacay Vibe:
Create your vacation vibe at home with your favorite music and props. Where was your favorite holiday destination? Use it to create a theme, even a menu. Whether you choose to order in or make it yourself, go with the flow. You do not need to get 100% of everything. It could just be the desert, or a sauce you loved, or a drink. Just a small memory to enjoy and not break the bank. Get dressed up if you feel like it, wear vacation clothes, or a flower in your hair, it’s all a part of the fun. Look at old photos and enjoy the memories.
Relaxing Evening
Vision Boards:
Evoking positive memories can inspire you to dream about more. So I find this a great time to relax and make some vision boards. When you look back at your journaling from the morning, was there a common theme? You can make 1 vision board or several. Basic categories could be health (mind, body, soul), relationships, home, travel, money. The boards can be manual or digital. It can also be fun to make vision videos. Adding positive music can really boost the good feelings.
Sunday Morning
Gym:
Call me crazy, but I live for Sunday mornings at the gym. There is something about it that makes me feel 1 step ahead of the week. It might not be my toughest workout, but it’s lovely to get a sweat on first thing. On the lighter summer mornings jogging can be amazing. If you really don’t feel up to it, a home workout is also good.
But if you DO make it to the gym, treat yourself! I will normally get a fresh sourdough bun from the bakery to have with my breakfast on the way home. (NB: I usually shower at the gym and so can go straight home to eat).
Leisurely breakfast/brunch with a hotel vibe:
Make yourself to a big breakfast. Use your favorite plates, cups and glasses. Serve yourself the prettiest meal, and dine like a princess. You deserve it 🥰
Week Prep:
Set a timer to do the main essentials you need to do, to prep for the week. The reason I suggest to do it early, is because you don’t want to end the Sunday doing tasks, but rather something you enjoy. For me tasks are usually cleaning, laundry and food prep. Depending on the levels of each, you can divide them into Sunday and Monday so it’s not such a big operation.
Creative Time Part 2:
Continue your hobby from the previous day, with some healthy snacks.
Mobility:
Take 10 mins Gentle Yoga. The focus is very much dependent on how you feel, there are so many offerings from full body stretch, specific targeted areas to pain/stress relief or motivation. Choose which session fits your needs.
Easy Dinner:
As we wind down, lets keep dinner easy. Something you can throw together with minimum effort. Think about what appliances you have and what will take the least amount of work. Example:
Roast chicken, new potatoes, salad = chicken in the oven, no peeling potataoes, pre bought salad.
Guided Meditation:
Practice a 5 – 10 minute guided meditation to bring peace and clarity to your mind. Again there are countless options online, with different background music or frequencies to help with relaxation.
Reflection Time:
Reflect on your weekend and set positive intentions for the week ahead.
As Sunday draws to a close, reflecting on the past few days can reveal how slowing down can work wonders. What began as a tired Friday night has blossomed into a weekend of self-care and rejuvenation. Full of mindful moments, nourishing the body with wholesome meals, and embracing movement. Each activity has played a vital role in restoring balance and vitality.
As we prepare to face the week ahead, let’s carry forward the lessons learned during this mini reset. Let’s prioritize self-care not just on weekends, but every day. By investing in ourselves, we cultivate resilience, strength, and joy that radiate into every aspect of our lives.
Remember, self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential. And by nurturing ourselves, we become better equipped to face life’s challenges with grace and authenticity.
What are your favorite self care rituals?
