Let’s begin with a confession.
I am – or have been, historically – a disorganised mess. Your archetypal scatterbrain.
As a teen, and even into my early 20s, my bedroom resembled a life-sized snowglobe – books, clothes, CDs, shoes and textbooks lightly dusted across the floor. Whenever I needed anything, I’d just throw them all up in the air and watch them fall in new patterns. Being organised was for swots. It was infinitely more romantic and bohemian to be disorganised. Of that, I was sure.
Eventually, I reconciled myself to drawers, shelves and hangers. Still, well into parenthood, I was the mum borrowing wet wipes from others in the playground. Occasionally, my disarray proved to be a public service. A friend once sank on to my sofa with a sigh and said: ‘I love coming here. It makes me feel so much less guilty.’
I didn’t want to pin my self-worth to shiny kitchen surfaces. After all, men don’t (often). I wanted to measure myself by my friendships, relationships, ideas and career. It took me a long time to realise that organisation and liberation are not mutually exclusive. In fact, it’s hard to have one without the other.
‘If you wish to be creative, you must be organised first,’ says clinical psychologist Linda Blair. ‘Creativity is taking things we already know, then rearranging them in novel ways.’ This process requires time, she explains. And if you don’t get your house in order, and instead have tasks hanging over you all week, you rob yourself of that magic ingredient.
She’s right. My own, extremely belated realisation crept up on me over the course of several Sunday afternoons, in that limbo time between weekend fun and weekday work traditionally filled by Antiques Roadshow. Instead, I began doing the laundry – sorting and sometimes even ironing shirts and sheets while I listened to a podcast. I found it surprisingly soothing.
From there, it somehow seemed a logical progression to lay out Monday’s school uniforms before the children went to bed. Before I knew it, I was urging them to clear out their school bags and put tomorrow’s books inside. Blink, and I was binning the week’s accumulation of crumpled receipts and napkins from the bottom of my own handbag, and batch-cooking meals for the freezer.
Who on earth had I become? The answer was someone a little bit calmer, more focused and less plagued by that omnipresent mum guilt. No longer were uncompleted tasks camping out like unwelcome squatters in my brain, hijacking my train of thought midway through meetings, screeching: ‘Has the MOT expired?! Has the dog been wormed?! Do the kids have clean PE socks???’ By giving up an hour or so of my time on a Sunday, I’d freed up the rest of my week.
On his Instagram page, Colby Kultgen, founder of 1% Better, says, ‘A successful week starts on Sunday night. Wait until Monday to get organised and you’ll spend the week playing catch-up.’
It’s a sentiment Tanith Carey, author of parenting and psychology books including Feeling ‘Blah’?, agrees with. ‘On Sundays, I clear away any clothes, knick-knacks or things that need to be put away, which prevent me from thinking clearly,’ she says. ‘Research shows people in chaotic environments feel more out of control and less likely to make better choices for their health and wellbeing.’
Somewhat annoyingly, a 2010 study conducted on married working couples with children found this effect was particularly pronounced among women. A cluttered home left women experiencing heightened levels of the stress hormone cortisol. The men? Not so much. Which says a lot about the domestic load, but also points to the potency of the Sunday reset.
There is, however, a hidden danger should you expect too much from your Sunday, adds Linda Blair. ‘Set yourself more tasks than you can manage and, instead of that liberating feeling of accomplishment, you’ll hear the voice that women, especially, have so often in their heads, telling you that you’ve not done enough and aren’t good enough,’ she warns. Here’s her method. List everything that, in an ideal world, you’d like to have ready by Monday. Then pick the three most important, write them down on a separate piece of paper, and focus on these, ticking them off as you go. When you finish your shortlist, you’ll feel great. Then, and only then, should you move on to the next three, then the next…
Like all recent converts, I’m now evangelical about the practice. I want to spread the word and save the world – one Sunday reset at a time.
The best way to do a Sunday reset
Not sure where to begin? Our homes and household advice editor Katie Mortram is here to help with these simple, step-by-step tips
Blitz your bedroom
Start by clearing the top of your bedside cabinet to remove any rogue items. You should only keep one book here at a time (the one you’re currently reading) and any jewellery should be safely stored away, with a silica gel packet alongside it to remove moisture. Used mugs and glasses can quickly accumulate, as can packs of vitamins, so remove what you’re not using and create a dedicated space out of sight for the rest.
To help with allergies, run a microfibre cloth over your headboard once a week to collect dust (if you prefer, use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner). Give your bed a full reset by changing the sheets; you should wash the mattress protector and pillow protectors every couple of months, too. Spend five minutes sorting through your handbag, removing rogue receipts and tissues, so you only carry what you need for the week ahead. And save morning stress by taking a moment to lay out what you (and your kids) want to wear the next day. This will help make the most of your wardrobe and prevent any last-minute panic when you can’t find what you need.
Clearing your floor is a great way to reset the bedroom, so if there’s a ‘floordrobe’ building up, now’s a good time to tackle it. Move dirty items to the laundry basket, while anything that still has a wear or two left can be folded and placed in a decorative basket. To break the floordrobe habit, in future, notice when you’re about to drop items and remember the effort it takes to pick them up again.
Clear up the kitchen
Sunday resets often involve planning and prepping meals for the week ahead. Batch-cooking can help save waste by using up leftover ingredients, not to mention energy. Knowing that you don’t need to cook from scratch after a long, hard day’s work will take the pressure off you during the week.
Cleaning the oven, microwave and cooker hood takes a lot of elbow grease. But by giving each a quick wipe over with a damp microfibre cloth and a few drops of washing-up liquid, you can keep on top of build-up, making the task much easier when it’s time for a deep clean.
No matter how careful we are, the kitchen bin always collects spills and stains around the lid and rim. Wipe both with a damp microfibre cloth and a disinfectant spray to keep residual odours and bacteria at bay. While you do this, clean your kitchen sponge by soaking it in a disinfectant for 15 minutes before rinsing.
Brush up the bathroom
A Sunday reset can quickly remove unwanted odours from your bathroom, making it feel more tranquil and Zen-like. Another quick and satisfying chore is pulling loose hair from your hairbrush; tease it free and use nail scissors if knotted. While you’re here, quickly clean your makeup brushes with a little cleanser and lukewarm water. Press and swirl each brush around your palm for a deep clean, then squeeze the bristles and leave it to dry.
To give your electric toothbrush a refresh, remove the head, invert it and leave it to soak in a glass of mouthwash for 15 minutes – no longer, or the bristles will start to degrade.
It’s pretty disgusting, but you’ll feel better for it: tip away any residual water from the toilet brush holder, then fill with hot, soapy water and swirl the brush around in it. Tip this away, then rinse and repeat with cold water and a few drops of bleach. Soak with the brush in the holder for 10 minutes, then pour the water away and rinse again.
Hone your hallway
As the first thing you see when you come home, the hallway arguably has the biggest impact on your mood. To reset this space, start by gathering any rogue shoes and stacking them in a dedicated shoe rack; store away those that aren’t worn regularly. To future-proof your hard floors, shake your doormat outside and remove any loose mud and stones.
The same goes for the coat mountain that’s building up by your front door (we all have one!). Store any that aren’t worn daily in your wardrobe; the rest can be hung on dedicated hooks (avoid stacking them). Empty out the pockets while you’re here, so you won’t discover a used tissue tomorrow.
Next up, make time to deal with the week’s post, to stop it building up. You can quickly recycle junk mail and respond to any letters that need you to take action. Put those that need more time in a letter holder, in order of priority, so you won’t forget about them. Once you’ve dealt with them, file, recycle or shred them, depending on the information contained.
Go large on laundry
Doing the laundry at the weekend is usually a given, but a Sunday reset could take this a step further. If it’s not already, empty out your laundry basket and wash those final few awkward items – the ones that have been sitting there for some time. This may involve hand-washing with a gentle detergent (one designed for delicates); gently press the soap into the items before rinsing, press between two towels to absorb the excess moisture, then hang to dry.
There might be items around the home you forget to wash (or struggle to find time for), such as microfibre cloths, bathmats, tea towels and oven gloves. Dressing gowns are worn daily but often escape the wash, too. A Sunday reset can be a great opportunity to wash and restore these everyday items, getting rid of any sweat, spills and stains.
Think outside the box
Don’t forget about the outdoors. The car’s a good place to begin; remove any water bottles, car park tickets and clutter to clear this space. Clean up crumbs and pet hair with the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner, and if a smell persists, leave a cup of bicarb in the car to help reduce odours (just remember to remove it before you drive off).
Taking care of your plants, indoors and out, can be a great way to relax on a Sunday. You may want to soak your orchids in the sink for 10-15 minutes, prune back overgrown foliage or just take the time to water your garden. It’s also a good idea to rotate your pots every so often for even light exposure.
Give your outdoor space a quick declutter, too: look out for abandoned children’s toys, gardening tools and sprinklers. And if you don’t have any outdoor space, going for a walk – taking the dog if you have one – will release endorphins and give you a positive outlook for the week ahead.
Do a digital detox
Avoid digital overwhelm by going through any unanswered emails or texts and sending your responses. It’s also worth taking time to sort and pay any outstanding bills. Doing this will help you feel more in control of your finances and avoid you having to deal with reminder letters and last-minute panic.
There are plenty of ways in which your phone can benefit from a Sunday reset, too. This won’t be achieved in one sitting, but you can gradually make a difference. Delete apps you no longer use, unsubscribe from unwanted emails and get rid of unnecessary contacts. If your phone is flooded with photos, go through and delete any unwanted ones (do this a month at a time if your photo storage is extensive). Organise those that remain into albums so you can easily find what you need in future, printing any precious pictures so you don’t lose them.
Whatever tech you use, whether it’s a laptop, tablet, e-reader or smartwatch, odds are there are things you’re storing that you no longer need. Sorting through and organising your digital space will make it all much easier to navigate.
…and relax!
Finally, a Sunday reset is as much about relaxing as it is about preparing yourself for the week ahead. So take some time to meditate, practise yoga or work out. According to GH’s health expert, Sarah Maber: ‘Both yoga and meditation are scientifically proven ways to destress, replenish your energy and enhance your overall wellbeing. They improve your mood, increase mindfulness – your ability to enjoy the present moment – and help to calm your emotions, all in just a few minutes a day.’
Essential oils, candles and relaxing music can all help to create a tranquil atmosphere. Opening windows to let in fresh air and release musty smells and humidity will also refresh your home – making for a calmer start to the new week.
