The Small Weekend Changes That Made My Mondays Better (and Hopefully Yours too)
Feeling more human at the start of the week, one choice at a time
The Small Weekend Changes That Made My Mondays Better (and Hopefully Yours too)
Simple structure, calm moments, and what helped me stop dreading the week ahead
TL;DR: ⚡️
I used to hate the feeling of waking up on Monday already behind—tired, scattered, and low-key dreading the week. But a few small changes over the weekend shifted everything. No routines, no perfection. Just simple, supportive choices that help me feel steady, clear, and actually a little excited to start again. These shifts might help you too.
Before we dive in...
I wanted to open this up to those of you tuning in 🕊️ I’m now offering 1:1 Reiki sessions, both virtually and in person. If you’ve been feeling a little off, stretched thin, or just craving a quiet space to land, these sessions are here to support you
To book, email info@vibrationalbloom.com, visit vibrationalbloom.com, or send me a DM.
By Jess / The Bloom Collective
Make Space on Saturday (Just a Little)
I used to pack my weekends to the brim with social plans, errands, and “catching up” on everything I didn’t get to during the week. But lately, I’ve been leaving a little more blank space on Saturday. Not to be productive, but to breathe. Sometimes it looks like a morning walk with no destination. Sometimes it’s saying no to plans without guilt. That little buffer helps me land softer in Sunday. It’s not about doing less. It’s about doing things that restore me.
Easing Into the Day
Most mornings, I wake up with Bagel curled up beside me. Before I even move, I take a few slow breaths, stretch under the covers, and pet her little head. It’s simple, but it softens the start of the day. No urgency. No noise. Just presence.
I wander downstairs, drink some water, and pause at the window to look out at the mountains. That pause is everything. It reminds me the world is still here, still beautiful, no matter what’s on my to-do list.
A Reset That Feels Like Me
Sunday afternoons have become a quiet rhythm—not about productivity, but about creating ease.
I’ll tidy up a bit, light a candle, fold the laundry I’ve been ignoring. Not out of pressure, but because I know Monday Jess will appreciate it. I make tea (lately it’s lemon water or a cozy Earl Grey with local whole milk. Randomly obsessed.) and put on a podcast that feels like company, not noise.
It’s not about getting ahead. It’s about creating a space that feels like it can hold me.
For the Off Days
Not every Monday—or any day, really—feels calm or clear. Some mornings feel heavy. And instead of trying to fix the feeling, I’ve learned to move with it.
That might mean a walk with Bagel, a stretch on the floor, or a slow Pilates flow with no expectations. Movement shifts something. Even the smallest bit helps.
Lately, sound baths or grounding playlists have been part of the mix, too. I’ll play one while I get ready or wind down. It helps me tune back in when the world feels too loud.
💡 I unpack this more in The Dopamine Menu—a post about creating softer starts and finding what feels good, even on the off days.
How to Start (Without Overthinking It)
If you’re not sure where to begin, start small. Think of this less like a routine and more like a feeling you want to create.
Ask yourself:
What would make Monday feel a little lighter? A little more yours?
Then choose one thing that supports that feeling.
Simple shifts that you can try:
Choose a Sunday anchor. Something grounding and comforting, like making tea, playing a favorite playlist, or letting in fresh air while you tidy up. Let it feel nourishing, not like a chore.
Prep something small. Lay out your clothes. Fill your water bottle. Queue up a podcast or playlist. It doesn’t need to be a full reset. Just a thoughtful nudge toward a smoother morning.
Create a calm landing. Light a candle, dim the lights, and close out the weekend with care instead of rushing. Let your body and mind know it’s okay to ease in.
Keep it flexible. Some Sundays will flow, others will feel scrambled. That’s life. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about offering yourself something steady to return to.
Ways to Set Yourself Up for a More Supportive Week
Look at your calendar with softness, not stress. Scan your week ahead. Not to fill every gap, but to notice what feels full and what needs more spaciousness. Are there things you can shift, delegate, or approach differently?
Create tiny transitions. Whether it’s closing your laptop with intention, lighting a candle before bed on Sunday, or playing a calming song as you fold laundry, let small moments mark the shift from weekend to weekday.
Set one emotional intention, not just tasks. Instead of only thinking about what you need to get done, ask yourself how you want to feel this week. Grounded? Energized? Peaceful? Let that guide your choices.
Make a “nourish list.” Write down a few things that truly support you—stretching, journaling, taking your supplements, calling a friend. Keep it somewhere visible. Let it be a reminder, not a to-do list.
Plan rest with the same care you plan work. Block off small windows in your schedule for rest, nature time, or nothing at all. Rest isn't what you earn. It’s what you need to keep showing up.
Let things be unfinished. Your prep doesn’t have to be perfect to be helpful. A half-tidy space is still support. One grounded habit is better than none. Let it be enough.
Why It’s Worth It
This shift has had such a grounding effect on me. I used to dread the start of the week, feeling like I was already behind before the day began. But now, there’s a softness. A sense of trust that I’ll ease in, not sprint. I feel more present, more resourced, and more like myself. Even when things go off track—which they still do—I recover with more calm and clarity. I have tools now. I have choice.
My Monday rhythm isn’t about being on top of everything. It’s about feeling connected to myself before I get pulled in a hundred directions.
Some weeks are still wild. Some mornings still wobble. But these little moments help me return to myself. They don’t have to fix everything to matter.
They just have to make a difference. And if they’ve helped me feel more steady, more spacious, I have complete confidence they can do the same for you too.
Field Notes from the Bloom 🪻
Just like I do with my closest friends, when I find something that inspires, grounds, or shifts my energy — I have to share it. That’s why I created this space. A soulful collection of sounds, insights, and conversations to support your growth, reflection, and everyday magic.
Field Notes from the Bloom is a permanent, evolving playlist curated to meet you where you are. Whether you’re journaling, moving through a slow morning, or simply needing to reconnect with your breath, this is your sonic sanctuary.
Podcast of the Week 🎙️
Coming Back to Life – The Balanced Blonde
with Kelsey Patel
From the Soul On Fire podcast — this conversation is like a gentle exhale. Kelsey shares about healing, motherhood, burnout recovery, and the kind of pause that changes everything. If you’ve been navigating a return to yourself, this one will meet you there.
Bloom Beats of the Week 🎧
Calypso Beach by Northeast Party House
▶️ Listen on Spotify
This one’s electric, beachy, and full of energy. Press play when you need a little joy, movement, or momentum. Great for dance breaks, mid-day pick-me-ups, or clearing the house with the windows open.
Printable Support for Your Energy Work 🕊️
Want to deepen your practice with printable tools? I’m so excited to share that my Weekly Clarity Planner is now available for you. You can find it—along with other digital wellness resources—over in my Etsy shop. It’s a gentle companion for mindful structure and clarity—perfect for pairing with your weekly resets and space-clearing moments. 🌟
This planner has become one of my favorite ways to create mindful structure in my week. It helps me stay grounded, clear, and connected to my energy, even on the busiest days.
What’s New at Vibrational Bloom ✨
Now offering 1:1 Reiki sessions—virtual or in person.
Book a session or reach out directly at info@vibrationalbloom.com to learn more. You can also visit vibrationalbloom.com for details on what to expect.
Let’s Stay Connected 📱
New posts go live every Thursday at 6 PM MST — tune in each week for fresh reflections and rituals.
🌐 Website: www.vibrationalbloom.com
📸 Instagram: @vibrationalbloom
🎥 TikTok: @vibrationalbloom
🛍️ Etsy: Vibrational Bloom Shop
Follow along for reflections, grounded routines, and ways to feel more like yourself in the week ahead.
With warmth and light,
Jess 🪻
Reiki Healer, Modern Wellness Writer & Founder of Vibrational Bloom
Explore more at Vibrational Bloom ↓
