A favorite phrase lightens Sunday tasks

There’s a phrase I often mutter to myself first thing Sunday morning and then repeat throughout the day. It’s a sort of mantra to motivate me as the weekend winds down and the clock ticks closer and closer to Monday madness.

“A Sunday well spent brings a week of content.”

I don’t know who came up with the clever quote; I believe it’s a proverb. I first saw it years ago while scrolling through Pinterest and right away, I pinned it to my “quotes” board.

I love that to different people it can mean different things, from recharging to preparing for the week ahead.

Kicking back at the beach. Cleaning house. Reading a book. Doing laundry. Going out for ice cream. All definitely great/productive ways to spend a Sunday.

Circa 2005 B.C. (before children), my husband and I typically spent our Sundays going out to watch a movie or eat at a new restaurant — just reconnecting and relaxing ahead of another full week of work.

But three daughters later, our interpretation of “well spent” has changed to getting ready for what is almost always a frenzied week of school, extracurriculars, appointments and errands, all on top of our regular jobs.

So on Sundays, my husband and I sit down for a meeting to focus on just the coming week. First, we go over important dates, such as school events and social functions. While we each keep our own calendars — his iPhone and my personal planner — I make sure during our meeting to write everything down on a physical calendar, which we keep on our refrigerator.

Second, we plan our dinners for the week. Not having to figure out what to eat after a busy weekday is such a time saver. It also reduces the chances of having to make an unhealthy fast-food run or go to a restaurant for an expensive meal. The menu hangs on our refrigerator, too. That way everyone, including our girls, knows what’s going on throughout the week and what’s for dinner every night.

Finally, we work on a shopping list, which includes all the ingredients needed to prepare our dinners, as well as anything else we may need. Our meeting is followed by a shopping trip to tackle our list. We also make sure to swing by a gas station to fill up for the week.

These are all things that help our weekdays go smoother. If we can get to all that by Sunday evening, I always feel a great sense of accomplishment. And if I can squeeze in a quick organization project and some “tickle time” with my little girls, I’d call the day a super success.

Going back to that saying, in a more immediate sense, a Sunday well spent also brings a Sunday of content.

So let’s get things done today. Here’s to a fulfilling, relaxing, happy day — and week.

“She Speaks” is a weekly column by women writers of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Reach Zenaida Serrano at zserrano@staradvertiser.com.