How to “Reset” After a Bad Week

It had been a week. Work had been fine until it wasn’t and then I reached my breaking point. I almost ran into my ex when he was clearly attempting that to happen. I had been stressed about a tense social interaction that I’ve been dreading all quarantine. My tag renewal still hadn’t arrived (and hasn’t). I spent more money than I planned. You get the idea. It. Was. A. Week. Saturday night I told myself this stops HERE. We’re going to reset after a bad week. I said Sunday will be my reset day. You can have a bad week, but a bad Sunday? No, no, no, I will not allow that. You simply cannot have a bad Sunday.

If you’re like me, it’s amazing that even when you’re isolated and having minimal human contact, you can still need a reset. Truly, it feels like we can never outrun feelings, which is true. So first off, please give yourself an allowance to have one of these days. It’s okay if you need even LESS contact during a minimal contact time. Trust me, if I can do it, you can do it. Sometimes you just gotta reset after a bad week.

Create a Reset Plan

Even if you’re not a planner, you need to plan. Hear me out. Be intentional about your reset day and it will be much kinder to you. Think about what you want out of this day. Relaxation? Productivity? Some space to heal? If you don’t make a little bit of a plan the day can very easily get away from you. If the day runs you, you most likely will continue the “bad week” and need a reset from your reset.

Here’s an idea of what my plan looks like:

• Order a lavender latte from Leslie Coffee Co. and celebrate that you finally had one.
• Take Eleanor to the dog park before anyone else is there so I can not have to worry about social distancing.
• Plants. Sometimes, even though I live in an apartment, I need to get my hands in some dirt. In this instance I created a container vegetable garden. Then I tended to my indoor plants.
• A good shower. Not a shower, but a good shower. You know those showers hit just right? Have one of those. One of those showers that you emerge feeling like a brand new woman and no one can bring you down. (Maybe hang some eucalyptus to make it feel more spa-like.)
• Cook a real meal. Not just a pinch-hit meal. Cook a real meal that you get your hands dirty and destroy the kitchen.
• Watch a show you know. Days like this are not meant for new TV series. You watch what you know will bring you joy and is familiar.
• Go to bed on time. Seriously, not only does your body recover during sleep but your mind can too.

Activities That Help Reset

Your schedule is going to look probably different than mine. Here’s some ideas to help you plan your reset after a bad week. Remember, you don’t have to worry about any expectation for or from yourself on this day.

• Cooking. Try a new dish. Actually make something from one of those million Pinterest recipes you thought you’d make long ago. Create an original!
• Activity. As much as I really hate being active, it does help. If high-impact exercise isn’t your thing, a casual walk with someone still counts! Swimming is also a great way to have activity that doesn’t feel like a workout.
• Cleaning. You most likely have things you see every single day and think, “I’ll get to that someday.” TODAY IS THAT DAY BAYBEEEE! Do it. Clean those ceiling fan blades. (Mom, are you proud of me?) Wipe down that trash can that is a little gross.
• Drive. I’m not one for a road trip, but I do love slightly longer drives with loud music. Find a small town to visit and try a new restaurant or local hangout.
• Get Dirty. You can take that as dirty as you want. Literally dirty, other dirty. Whichever one floats your boat. Just do it.
• Write. Do you like journaling? Are you a blogger? Do you need to send those thank you notes? I truly believe writing has healing power.

Only you know how you need to reset after a bad week. The most important thing is that you do it. I once had to reset after my reset day because even that had gone astray. Let’s normalize taking the time to say “I’m not okay.”