Embrace a Calmer Week: Three Quick Wins for Your Sunday

Do you ever have one of those quiet Sundays where the day just gently unfolds—no big plans, just a bit of breathing space? As I always say, “Life in the Slow Lane is good”! That’s been my mood here so far today and I just wanted to pop in with a Sunday update. But also to show you how just a few small actions—three quick wins, really—can make all the difference in setting up a calmer week ahead. Let’s go!

Two women smiling for a selfie near the water, enjoying a sunny day.

Hubby and I started the morning with a couple of cups of coffee and I baked a batch of my overnight rolls. Have you tried them yet? Just stir the ingredients together, leave the mix overnight, no kneading, then fire the oven up to maximum, spoon them onto a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes. My video recipe is here.

A close-up image of freshly baked overnight rolls with a serrated knife resting beside them, showcasing the rustic texture and seeds visible on the surface.

Then I had a couple of lovely dips in the sea with my friend, Angela. We had a lovely little picnic with my rolls, some of the cheddar cheese muffins I baked yesterday and fresh apple slices with cinnamon and sesame seeds.

A picnic spread featuring freshly baked rolls, sliced apples sprinkled with cinnamon, and a dish of salted butter, all set on a colorful tablecloth.

Nothing beats al fresco dining! Salted Danish butter, squeezy raspberry jam and Swedish sriracha squeezy cheese…

A picnic spread featuring sliced apples sprinkled with cinnamon, a jar of raspberry jam, a tube of sriracha cheese, and freshly baked muffins on a colorful tablecloth.

Oh, and no day would be complete without Wordle. Hubby and I challenge each other daily. Today he got it in three tries, I needed four!

Search results page displaying the Wordle game by The New York Times, featuring a search bar and leaderboard information.

I’ve also been pottering around the house and am just enjoying having no real schedule. Books are a regular part of my day. I like physical books when eating my lunch and I always, always read a chapter or two in bed, just before switching off the light. Love the Inspector Montalbano books – I started this one when we were on holiday in Croatia last week.

A person holding the book 'Riccardino' by Andrea Camilleri, with a beach and umbrellas in the background.

And I listen to audiobooks on my cordless headphones while I move through my routines, or when doing chores or gardening. It’s nice to have some company for the boring jobs, ha ha! I finished “The Garden Club Murders” by Jonathan Whitelaw yesterday… (I also enjoyed the first two in the Bingo Hall Detectives series.)

Cover of the book 'The Garden Club Murders' by Jonathan Whitelaw featuring a purple background with gardening tools.

But even on these slower days, the daily Flylady habits tick along in the background and make all the difference. A quick reset “swish and swipe” of the bathroom after brushing my teeth, a LOL (load of laundry) in the washing machine before heading out this morning, and my kitchen counters and sink will get a wipe down after dinner. Nothing fancy, just the usual routines. But they make everything feel lighter!

A checklist outlining a good morning routine, including tasks like making coffee, starting laundry, and checking the calendar.

A checklist titled 'Example of a Good Evening Routine' featuring tasks such as making dinner, wiping the table, and gathering items for the next day, presented in a structured format with checkboxes.

And that’s the beauty of these tiny habits. They give me space to relax without the house falling apart. Self-care was getting outside, connecting with hubby and allowing myself to take things at my own pace today. Nice!

If you’re feeling a bit scattered or want a gentle way to ease into the week ahead, here are three quick wins that might help!

Three Quick Wins for a Calmer Start to Monday

Lay out your clothes for tomorrow (this is my outfit for today). Not sure about the weather? Plan two outfits!

Flat lay of a casual outfit featuring a white top, blue patterned pants, white handbag, pearl earrings, pearl bracelet, and white sneakers against a light blue background.

Set a timer for 5, 10 or 15 minutes and clear one surface or space. Doing a 5-minute PUPA (Pick Up and Put Away) in the kitchen or living room always makes me feel accomplished.