Reset Routine: How to Start Fresh Each Week Without the Overwhelm
There’s a reason the “reset routine” trend blew up on TikTok. We’re all craving a sense of control — not in a rigid, color-coded way, but in a can-I-please-start-the-week-without-chaos kind of way.
Reset routines have become shorthand for that moment when you finally pause, look around, and give yourself space to re-center. And while I don’t follow the same exact routine every Sunday, I do have a loose rhythm I return to — a handful of things that help me feel clear, grounded, and ready to move into the new week without immediately burning out.
This isn’t about productivity for productivity’s sake. It’s about building a soft structure around your life — one that holds you through the messy middle, helps you feel clear-headed, and gives you a plan that actually matches your energy.
What Is a Reset Routine (Really)?
A reset routine is a series of intentional actions that help you transition from one week to the next. Think of it as a way to close open loops, reduce friction, and clear mental and physical clutter — so your week starts with momentum instead of resistance.
At its core, a weekly reset is about:
Refreshing your physical space
Prepping your basic needs (meals, laundry, logistics)
Looking ahead to what’s coming
Honoring how you actually feel and adjusting accordingly
It’s not a one-size-fits-all Sunday checklist. It’s a flexible ritual that helps you move forward feeling supported, instead of scattered.
Why Reset Routines Are Trending (And Why They Matter)
There’s a reason these routines show up everywhere from Sunday TikToks to Pinterest boards and productivity YouTube channels. Reset routines offer something many of us are missing: a clean slate. A moment to get back in alignment with what matters — before the noise of the week takes over.
In an overstimulated world, that kind of clarity is gold.
Resetting doesn’t magically fix everything. But it does give you a sense of control over the things you can manage — like whether you have clean socks, food in the fridge, and a calendar that actually reflects your energy and priorities.
(If you’re curious what kind of planner you are—take my Planning Personality Quiz to find out.)
My Realistic Reset Routine: What I Actually Do (and Don’t)
Let’s be honest: I don’t follow some rigid reset ritual every week. But I do have a handful of grounding habits I return to most weekends — usually on Sunday — that make a big difference in how I feel heading into the week.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
1. Tidy key spaces
Visual clutter = mental clutter. I’ll tidy up high-traffic areas like the kitchen, bathroom counters, and living room. I’m not deep cleaning here — just putting things back where they belong so my space feels peaceful, not chaotic.
2. Laundry reset
I try to get everything washed, dried, folded, and (most importantly) put away. Nothing feels worse than starting Monday with laundry piles in every corner.
3. Fridge & grocery refresh
I don’t do anything fancy, but I do make sure I have a few easy, nourishing meals prepped or planned. This might look like cooked rice, washed greens, and a protein ready to go — just enough to avoid the “what the hell do I eat?” scramble.
4. Calendar check + time-blocking
I’ll review my Google Calendar and make sure everything is accurate and realistic — workouts, errands, appointments, social plans, downtime, even extracurriculars or events. I’ll also go through any recurring reminders (like car maintenance, clipping my dog’s nails, or doing my daily Duolingo) to see what’s coming up and adjust as needed.
I’ll screenshot my calendar and send it to my partner, and I’ll check to make sure nothing on my calendar feels excessive. If I’ve overloaded myself, I’ll move projects around to make space for recovery or lower-energy days.
5. Friend check-ins & scheduling
I’ll reach out to friends, confirm coffee dates or casual hangs, and make sure my social life isn’t falling through the cracks — especially if the week ahead is busy or emotionally draining. Or, if the week feels like it will be a bit much, I’ll push social things out in the spirit of being realistic about my energy.
6. Restock essentials
I’ll make a quick list of anything I’m running low on — from supplements to skincare to pantry staples — and order what I need so I’m not playing catch-up midweek. A lot of my recurring products are already automated via Amazon Subscribe.
Tools I Actually Use During My Reset Routine
Google Calendar: For time blocking, recurring reminders, and schedule sharing
Notes app or Notion: For brain dumps, planning, journaling (I have a Notion life “hub” that centers me)
Spotify playlist or podcast: To set the mood and keep me moving
Grocery delivery apps or digital shopping list: For frictionless restocking
Reusable containers for fridge and pantry: To keep things visually organized
How to Create Your Own Reset Routine
Start with what helps you feel clear… not what looks good on the internet.
One of the biggest mistakes people make with reset routines is copying someone else’s checklist and wondering why it doesn’t stick. The truth is: your routine should reflect your life, your values, and your energy — not just what’s trending. And sometimes, less is more. When routines become too complicated or include a bunch of steps that sound good in theory — they can actually drain your energy. You can become a slave to the idea of a routine… versus letting the routine support your life (which is all it’s meant to do, anyways).
Here’s how to create a reset routine that actually works for you:
1. Start with the feeling you want to have on Monday
Before you make a list of tasks that sound good on paper, ask yourself:
How do I want to feel heading into my week? Grounded? Energized? Calm? Clear? On top of things?
Use that feeling as your north star. Everything in your reset routine should serve that outcome — not just add noise. If it’s not achieving a purpose and it doesn’t matter to you, cut it out. (Inspired by The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi — I would recommend to any recovering perfectionists and people-pleasers.)
2. Identify what’s causing friction
What makes your week feel scattered, stressful, or out of control? Do you have any consistent bottlenecks or roadblocks? For example, if I don’t have some simple, healthy meals prepped before the week starts, I end up grazing on snacks because I don’t want to take the time to cook or I can’t decide what to make — and then wondering why I feel foggy and tired.
It might be:
No food in the fridge = decision fatigue
Cluttered spaces = constant distraction
Unclear priorities = procrastination
Overscheduled days = burnout by Thursday
Your reset routine should address these patterns directly by putting a system in place to lighten the load.
3. Choose 3–5 anchor actions
You don’t need a 20-step routine. You need a few simple actions that give you the biggest return. These are the things that help you feel clear and capable without exhausting you.
Anchor action examples:
A weekly brain dump
Cleaning one or two core spaces
Prepping a couple go-to meals
Reviewing and time-blocking your calendar
Checking in with your partner or family
Planning something fun or restorative
Blocking out some time just for you to rest or be alone — or to connect with others in a meaningful way
You can always layer in more later — but start small and realistic.
4. Align your reset with your values
Reset routines aren’t just about logistics — they’re about living in alignment with what matters to you. They allow you to take control of your time and align it with what you care about — instead of letting the week happen to you.
If your values include creativity, maybe your reset includes setting up your art space or scheduling a class.
If you value connection, maybe it’s reaching out to friends or confirming your social calendar.
If you value ease, it might be streamlining errands or ordering groceries in advance.
Your reset routine becomes more meaningful when it helps you live in tune with your priorities.
5. Build flexible systems that support you (even when you’re tired)
A great reset routine isn’t just about what you do, it’s about how you set things up to work for you.
Consider:
Recurring reminders in your digital calendar
Shared calendars with your partner or roommate
A reset checklist you can use week after week
A “done is enough” mindset to avoid perfectionism
The goal is to reduce friction — not to create more of it. We are not trying to work harder here.
6. Revisit and evolve it
Life changes. Your energy shifts. Your responsibilities expand. Let your reset routine change with you.
Check in every month or season and ask:
What’s still working?
What’s feeling like a chore?
What would feel more supportive now?
This routine is yours — it should grow with you. Let go of the idea of things you “should” be doing, and allow your routine to reflect the reality of your life. Sometimes I make a “What I’m Not Focusing On” list that I keep in a visible place (my Notion hub, usually). I’ll take intentional inventory of what matters to me, what I’m working on, and what my time and energy looks like, and from there decide what I just don’t have space for right now or what’s not working.
How to Stay Consistent (Even When You’re Tired)
The key to consistency isn’t willpower — it’s making your routine flexible, forgiving, and actually supportive.
Tips:
Create a master checklist you can reuse each week (I keep lists like this in a recurring Google Calendar event… I can edit them as they evolve, or delete and try something new later)
Batch similar tasks (like errands or chores)
Give yourself permission to skip steps
Track how you feel on weeks you reset vs. weeks you don’t
Attach your reset to something enjoyable (music, coffee, podcast)
This isn’t a routine you have to follow perfectly — it’s one you return to when you need it.
A reset routine isn’t about becoming a different person overnight. It’s about giving yourself a softer, more structured runway into the week ahead. One where your space feels calm, your schedule feels doable, and your mind feels a little less foggy.
Some weeks you’ll do the whole routine. Some weeks you’ll just light a candle, wipe the counter, and call it good. Either way, you’re showing up for yourself. That’s what matters.
Feeling stuck or overwhelmed? Book a 1:1 Planning Session with me. We’ll untangle your to-do list, set clear goals, and build a plan that feels doable and supportive.
