For a lot of people, Sundays are family days. But when you are your entire family unit, what do you do with the time?
The struggle is real. Do you stay home where it’s safe and predictable, or should you venture out where you might have a good time, or it might be draining?
I think we need a balance. Sometimes it is good and necessary to stay in and recharge, but if that’s your reality every weekend, it might be time to look at getting out or connecting with others.
1. Call a friend
Remember the olden days when it was normal to call a friend out of the blue, just for fun? Without arranging an appointment!?
Nowadays, an unexpected phone call is usually a cause for alarm.
But just try it — think of someone you haven’t talked with for awhile and just call. It might be a bad time (and they might get a bit freaked out at first, so let them know you’re okay!), but it could also be exactly what they needed too.
Take a risk, pick up the phone!
2. Go for a walk
Unless the weather is really terrible, almost every day is good for a walk. Just dress appropriately and you’re good to go.
You could invite a friend to join you, or just head out alone.
Leave your phone at home (or if you really can’t bear to totally unplug in case of emergency, take it along but turn it off), get rid of all distractions and just go for a walk. Our brains need a break from the constant input.
Pay attention to the little things:
- The shape of the leaves
- The bird sounds
- Traffic
- Wind
- The neighbour’s new deck
Let your thoughts wander.
Talk to God.
A walk is one of the best ways to reset and I can hardly go a day without it.
3. Write a letter
Letter-writing is a lost art these days, but an incredibly valuable to way to stay connected with friends and family.
It’s a great way to reach out AND stay home at the same time.
If you find the idea overwhelming, or have never written a letter and don’t know where to begin, here are some ideas to get you started 🙂
4. Read a book
Reading isn’t everyone’s thing, but if it’s something you enjoy, Sunday afternoons are the perfect time to catch up on reading!
I have about 65 books on my to-read-someday pile…. Thanks to thrift stores, if you have the time to search out the good ones, books are practically free, and so hard to resist!
But I find that often when I actually have the time to sit down for a good read, I’m so overcome by the mental paralysis of trying to decide how to make the best use of my time, I rarely ever get to it. Which is kind of silly… Do you ever have that problem?
All that to say — read a book, now is your chance!!
5. Host an impromptu afternoon of games or puzzles
Often introverts prefer to plan ahead, but sometimes impromptu events help take the pressure off. The house doesn’t have to be perfect and you don’t need to have food ready.
As long as your bathroom isn’t gross (if it is, just clean it real quick), put the word out to a few people that they’re invited to come over for games (or puzzles if you prefer), ask them to bring a snack and a favourite game. Bam, introvert-approved party.
If you’re really brave, invite someone you’ve never had in your home before…. I know, kinda terrifying. You might get no for answer, but you just might make a new friend. You’ll never know unless you try it!
6. Do some baking
Pick a recipe you’ve always wanted to try, throw on an apron and go at it!
I rarely give myself the permission to just bake for fun during the week. It always seems like there are more important things to do and the aim of food prep during the week is just to survive. But there’s something therapeutic about just puttering around the kitchen without being in a rush.
May I suggest these Super Yummy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins?
Once they’re done, you could eat a few yourself, OR it’s a perfect excuse to reach out to people. Surprise your friends or neighbours with some fresh muffins at their front door, or invite them over for a snack!
7. Journal
Some people love it, some people hate it…. I can’t decide. I’ll stick to it regularly for a while and then give up.
It’s easier to be busy and not stop to reflect on how you’re really doing.
8. Visit somebody
Anybody. Friends, parents, extended family, neighbours, strangers, whatever. There are lots of lonely people that would probably love an impromptu guest. Just bake some muffins, pick someone and call them up! Or show up at their door. Whatever, just get out there!
9. Flip through recipe books
Is it just me, or is the hardest thing about food prep simply deciding what to make?
Since no one else cares how it tastes when you’re cooking for one, it’s easy to just cobble something together from whatever happens to be in the fridge. I can go for weeks at a time without making an actual meal on purpose or trying something new.
So pull out that stack of dusty recipe books (or if you prefer, scour the interwebs) and pick one or two that you want to make this week. Make a list of the ingredients to pick up next time you’re out and about, and that’s half the battle already accomplished. You won’t have to stick your head in the fridge this week, wondering what it will be today.
10. Write a blog post about what to do on Sundays
Just kidding! I’ve already done that for you 😉 Unless of course you have a blog too, then by all means, go at it!
I’d love to know — what do Sundays (or down days, whatever day of the week it is) look like for you? What else would you add to this list?
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