The last two weeks probably felt like time didn’t exist.
Or maybe it felt like Groundhog Day, same snacks, same messes, same questions from the kids… on repeat.
While the New Year can feel refreshing, it can also feel overwhelming when you’re trying to get back into a routine after winter break.
Here’s the good news: you don’t need a complicated system or a million lists to reset your week.
All you need is 15 minutes and a simple weekly reset routine that clears the mental clutter and helps you start the week feeling grounded.
This quick weekly reset isn’t meant to replace meal planning or detailed scheduling. It’s the reset button that makes everything else easier.
A Simple 15-Minute Weekly Reset Routine
1. Clear the Mental Load (5 minutes)
Start your weekly reset with a brain dump.
Set a timer for five minutes and write everything that’s bouncing around in your head — no order, no categories:
- “Need to book a doctor appointment for kid #2”
- “Picture day is Tuesday”
- “We’re out of toothpaste”
- “I really want to work out twice this week”
Getting these thoughts out of your head is essential. If you skip this step, they’ll keep popping up later when you’re trying to focus — and everything will take longer.
2. Check the Calendar (3 minutes)
Next, review:
- School calendars
- Sports practices
- Work commitments
- Family events
Write everything down in one place.
Quick mom tip:
If you’re juggling multiple calendars (paper, texts, emails, screenshots), consider consolidating. Using your phone’s built-in tools can save a ton of mental energy. I’m a big fan of a simple Apple Calendar → Reminders → Notes setup because it’s fast, integrated, and easy to maintain.
3. Choose the Week’s Top 3 Priorities (3 minutes)
This is where your weekly reset becomes intentional.
Instead of listing 20 things, choose just three priorities:
- 1 personal goal (health, movement, rest)
- 1 family goal (meals, schedules, connection)
- 1 work or admin goal
Ask yourself:
- What health habit do I want to focus on this week?
- Are we cooking more or buying more meals?
- What absolutely needs to get done for work or home admin?
Simple > perfect.
4. Plan Food at a High Level (3 minutes)
Yes, you can plan food during your weekly reset in just three minutes.
You’re not writing a full meal plan here. Instead, note:
- Foods that need to be used up
- Flavors or meals you’re craving
- Busy nights that need quick meals
- Nights that allow for slower cooking
- Items you’re out of and need to buy
This high-level food planning makes grocery shopping and weeknight decisions way easier later. It also pairs perfectly with my approach to simple meal planning for busy moms.
5. Light Home Reset (3–5 minutes)
A small physical reset creates a huge mental shift.
Choose one or two quick wins, like:
- Clearing main surfaces (kitchen counter, entryway, living room)
- Resetting backpacks, sports gear, or work bags
- Starting one load of laundry
After weeks of holiday chaos and winter break clutter, this step alone can make your home feel calmer.
6. Prep for Monday (2 minutes)
Think of this as a bonus step in your weekly reset.
Take two minutes to:
- Decide Monday’s top task
- Prep kids’ lunches and put them in the fridge
- Lay out workout clothes
- Review the morning schedule
Tiny actions now = less stress tomorrow.
Why a Weekly Reset Works (Especially After Winter Break)
Doing this 15-minute weekly reset consistently is a total game changer. It helps you:
- Reduce decision fatigue
- Start the week feeling organized
- Spend less time reacting and more time being intentional
And if you only try it once, do it today after winter break.
As parents, we rarely give ourselves permission to pause and reset — but skipping that reset is exactly what keeps us feeling behind.
You don’t need more productivity hacks.
You just need a simple weekly reset that works with real life.
Want this as a template you can keep on your phone for each week? Click here to download the template that you can use in your Notes app or keep in Google Docs for easy access and use!
