Planning Your Week When You’re Just Really Tired
I think too much planning advice assumes that you’re working in a best case scenario where things run smoothly and you’re in perfect health. I personally, am hardly ever in that type of space so most of what I do in my own life is done with lots of imperfections and negotiating what is most important at the time.
One scenario that I face frequently is needing to prepare for the week ahead when all I want to do is rest.
We all have those weeks where we arrive at Sunday running on fumes. Maybe it’s been an especially busy work stretch, your sleep has been off, or life’s daily surprises have taken more energy than usual.
This past weekend, coming off of a busy 5 days at work, I knew that I had planned outings with friends that I hadn’t seen in a long while. I wasn’t about to cancel because I felt like it was important to sustain that connection. But I really paid for it by Sunday night when I hardly felt rested and was staring down the barrel of a new and busy week ahead.
I would have rather just done nothing for the rest of the night, but I knew that the week would really get away from me if I didn’t at least do a little something before Monday started.
When you’re this drained, it’s tempting to skip any kind of “weekly planning” and just hope for the best come Monday morning.
But here’s the thing — a little gentle preparation (even at 50% capacity) can create a huge sense of calm and carry you through the week more smoothly. This isn’t the Pinterest-perfect kind of Sunday reset; it’s the real-life, I’m-tired-but-still-need-to-function version.
If You Do Nothing Else, Do the Bare Minimum Prep
If you truly don’t have the bandwidth for detailed planning (which is great to include in a normal lazy Sunday, btw), doing just these simple things can make your week feel 10x lighter:
Check the Weather & Plan Outfits
Look ahead at the forecast and hang up what you’ll wear each day in order. Wash or press anything now so you’re not scrambling in the morning.
Stock Up on Low-Effort Meals
Make one big-batch dish that can carry you through multiple dinners — like a stew or chili. Keep something fresh but quick in the fridge, like chicken salad, for easy lunches. For kids, have a few pre-made options (frozen pizza, ready meals) plus some fruit and veg ready to go.
Reset Your Essentials
Whether it’s your makeup bag or grooming kit, make sure everything you need is there and in working order. This eliminates the morning energy drain of hunting for items or experimenting.
Keep It Realistic, Keep It Kind
When you’re tired, the purpose of planning your week is to make space for breathing room and rest. At least for me it is.
This means removing friction points, setting yourself up for quick wins, and making sure there are small moments of enjoyment sprinkled in.
It is possible to take action during this type of week, but recognize you’re already at a capacity of half-full going into the new week. If I know I only have limited energy and time available in the coming week, I want whatever I intend to do to be intentional, necessary, and manageable.
So, plan in a way that serves your future self — whether that’s choosing outfits ahead of time, cooking one big comforting meal, or simply making sure your coffee mug is clean and ready for Monday morning.
Sometimes, less planning (done well) is the smartest planning there is.