How to Plan Your Week in Under 30 Minutes (That Actually Works)

“I used to dread Mondays. Now, I look forward to them. The difference? A 30-minute ritual that changed everything.”

Let me tell you a story about how I used to start my weeks—because maybe, just maybe, it’ll sound familiar to you.

When Sundays Were Synonyms for Stress

Every Sunday night felt the same.

I’d sit on the couch, trying to relax, but in the back of my mind, a storm was brewing. I didn’t really know what was coming that week. I didn’t feel prepared. I didn’t feel in control. And somehow, my to-do list felt like it already had 57 things on it… none of which I had written down yet.

So I did what many of us do: I avoided it. I told myself, “I’ll figure it out in the morning.”

But the morning came. And I didn’t figure it out. I rushed through Monday, reacting to everything, forgetting half of what I was supposed to do, and constantly feeling like I was behind.

That’s how I lived—for years.

Until I created one simple ritual: my 30-minute Sunday planning session.

And that small habit transformed not just my Mondays—but my entire life.

The Turning Point

It wasn’t a productivity book or a guru that fixed things. It was one bad week that finally pushed me to say: “I can’t keep doing this.”

I had missed two meetings, double-booked myself, forgotten a friend’s birthday, and worked late every night… all in the same week. I felt like a fraud. I was trying to build a life of focus and freedom, but I was constantly running in circles.

So that Sunday, I made a cup of tea, lit a candle, and sat down with a blank piece of paper.

I asked myself one simple question:

“What do I want this week to feel like?”

That question changed everything.

I realized I wasn’t just planning tasks—I was designing the experience of my week.

What My Weekly Planning Session Looks Like (Step by Step)

This ritual takes me 20 to 30 minutes every Sunday. It sets the tone for the whole week. It helps me prioritize, create space, and avoid burnout.

Here’s how I do it—step by step.

1. Reflect on the Past Week (5 minutes)

I start by asking myself:

• What worked?

• What felt heavy?

• What did I avoid?

• What made me feel proud?

This helps me learn from my own patterns instead of repeating them.

💡 Personal Tip: Sometimes I just write 3 bullet points. It doesn’t have to be deep—just honest.

2. Choose My 3 Core Priorities (5 minutes)

I no longer try to do 20 things at once. I pick 3 things that matter most that week—personal or professional.

Examples:

• Finish client proposal

• Launch a new Pinterest campaign

• Focus on clean eating

• Prep meals for the week

• Organize closet

Having clear priorities keeps me grounded when life gets messy (because it always does).

3. Block Out My Calendar (10 minutes)

I pull out my printable weekly planner (yes, the one you can download for free right here) and start filling in:

• Fixed commitments (meetings, appointments, classes)

• Time blocks for deep work

• Admin tasks (emails, errands)

• Breaks and self-care windows

This step turns “what I need to do” into “when I’m going to do it.”

💡 Note: I always leave white space. Life needs room to breathe.

4. Plan My Meals + Groceries (5 minutes)

I’m not a chef. I’m not a meal-prep queen. But I’ve learned that planning even 3 dinners in advance saves me hours of stress.

I write down what we’ll eat on busy days and what I need to buy.

💡 Bonus: I keep a sticky note with “go-to meals” for when I don’t want to think.

5. Prep My Environment (5 minutes)

I reset my desk. Refill my water bottle. Pick an outfit. Light a candle. Put on a playlist. This part feels small, but it tells my brain: “We’re starting fresh.”

💡 Favorite trick: I leave Monday’s to-do list on top of my desk, ready and waiting.

The Results? More Than I Ever Expected.

After doing this ritual for a few weeks, I noticed something crazy.

I wasn’t procrastinating as much.
I was actually excited for Mondays.
I felt less guilt, less chaos, less mental load.
I was finally using my time on purpose—not just reacting to the week.

Even my relationships improved, because I wasn’t always distracted or overwhelmed.

And all of that came from just 30 minutes every Sunday.

Your Turn: Build a Weekly Planning Ritual That Works for You

You don’t have to follow my exact steps. Maybe you’ll change the order. Maybe you’ll do it on Fridays. Maybe you’ll light incense instead of candles.

The point is to make this time sacred.

To say, “My time matters. My energy matters. I get to choose how this week unfolds.”

💌 Want My Exact Weekly Planner?

The same printable I use every Sunday is available to you for free. No strings. No fluff.

It’s part of the Focus & Conquer Starter Pack, and it includes:

✅ Weekly layout with time blocks
✅ Space for top 3 priorities
✅ Habit tracker
✅ Daily focus areas
✅ A beautiful, simple design that keeps you motivated

➡️ Click here to download it now

Print it. Fill it out with love. Use it to take back your week.

Final Thought: You Deserve a Life That Feels Calm and Focused

So many women live in survival mode—doing everything, remembering everything, holding everything.

But you don’t have to live that way.

You can create systems that support you. You can build rituals that restore you. You can plan a week that actually feels like your life.

It starts with 30 minutes.

One page. One pause. One decision to lead with intention instead of overwhelm.

You’ve got this. And I’m here, cheering you on.

Let’s conquer the week—together. 🤍