Self-Care Sunday: How Planning and Preparation Create a Stress-Free Week

Here we go again — it’s Sunday. How did you start your day, and how are you planning your week?

Remember, success doesn’t happen by accident. It happens through planning, preparation, and consistency. 

It’s built in the small daily habits, the weekly routines, and the quiet work you do when no one is watching.

Starting with Gratitude

I began my Sunday with gratitude — Alhamdulillah. As soon as my eyes opened, I lay still for five minutes, simply thanking God for all He continues to do for me. I took a moment to appreciate my five senses, my family, my health, my friends, and the ability to provide for those I love.

The Habits That Ground Me

After that, I got up, stretched for a few minutes, made my bed, went through my hygiene routine, ran to the grocery store, did laundry, cleaned my room, and ironed my clothes for the week.

Before you say anything — yes, I’ve done this pretty much my entire life.

Remember my grandmother I spoke about yesterday — the one with Alzheimer’s? This was another one of those unintentional lessons she taught me: consistency.

When I was younger, I’d watch her make her bed every single morning, even when she was short of breath from asthma. Her lips would purse as she reached across her high king-sized bed, determined to finish.

I didn’t know it then, but she was teaching me more than tidiness — she was teaching me discipline.

Later, she taught me another routine: ironing clothes for the entire week on Sunday — no exceptions.

That was her rule. I carried that same habit into my own home, ironing my children’s clothes every Sunday to make our mornings smoother.

Now, even as an adult, those simple habits — making my bed, ironing for the week — bring me peace and structure. They’re my foundation.

They remind me that consistency is a form of self-care.

As a single mother, I learned early that the more I could do on Sunday, the smoother my week would go.

Preparation Is Self-Care

After finishing my chores, I planned my week — just like I do every Sunday. That doesn’t mean unexpected events won’t happen, but when they do, I can shift with intention instead of stress.

I laid out my workout clothes for the week. I’ll be heading into work a few days at 0500 for training, which means giving to myself first — physically, mentally, and spiritually — before I give to anyone else.

That means leaving the house by 0415, which means waking up at 0315 to work out, shower, and prepare.

Will it be easy? Absolutely not. But if it were easy, everyone would be doing it.

This is what separates me from others — my routine, my small habits, my consistency.

A Challenge for You

Tell me — how are you planning your week?

What’s one thing you can do tonight to make your mornings smoother?

Maybe it’s laying out your clothes, meal prepping, or journaling your priorities. Small habits lead to big changes.

Final Thoughts

Jim Rohn once said, “Work harder on yourself than you do on your job. The more you work on yourself, the easier your job will become.”

And as Zig Ziglar said, “Go to Acapulco every day.” In other words, what would you need to do daily to feel that same peace, accomplishment, and joy?

Keep that same energy every day — because how you start your week determines how you finish it. 💪🏽✨

💜Lead with Love,

YourFavNurseLeader

,Bilquis Ali