25 Things To Do At The Beginning Of The Week

Here are 25 best things you can do at the start of the week to feel good and on top of your schedule.

Mondays have a reputation for being more ‘meh’ than motivating, and understandably so.

The weekend has just wrapped up and we all find ourselves facing a pile of stuff to do with little order in sight.

But how you kick off your week sets the tone for everything that follows.

It’s something I realized way back when I was in school, and so I started doing certain things that would help me get out of my funk and feel good about life.

Now, as an adult, my start-of-week rituals are what keep me sane and happy while heading into the new week. And that is pretty incredible.

In this post, I’ll share 25 things to do at the beginning of the week to beat those Monday blues and feel awesome.

Pick whatever tips you like and use them to start your week like a boss and make the rest of the days flow smoothly!

25 Good Things To Do At Start Of The Week

1. Create A Weekly Soundtrack

Music has the incredible ability to boost your mood and energy levels. So, why not use it to make yourself stress-free?

On Sunday night, create a playlist that can match the vibe you want for the coming week.

Need focus? Add instrumental or lo-fi tracks. Craving energy? Go for upbeat pop or rock hits.

Every time you feel a slump, your weekly playlist can be your go-to pick-me-up.

2. Have a Coffee Date

This could be with yourself or someone else.

If it’s solo, then you can head to a cozy cafe or drink your coffee at a nice spot at home.

Use this time to reflect on what you want to achieve in the week.

If it’s with a friend or colleague, chat about goals, brainstorm ideas, or just share some laughs to start the week on a positive note.

3. Plan Something Fun For Midweek

Who says you have to wait until the weekend to have fun?

At the start of the week, plan something exciting for Wednesday or Thursday.

Here are some ideas:

Book a movie ticket
Schedule a spa session
Order from your favorite restaurant
Go to the mall with a friend
Do some shopping
Order something from your online wishlist
Start reading a new week
Watch a movie alone

Having something to look forward to will make the coming week feel less monotonous.

4. Create A Theme For The Week

Treat your week like a mini project with a theme.

For example, you can make it ‘Wellness Week’ and focus on building healthy habits like drinking more water or meditating.

Or go with ‘Creative Week’ and try activities like journaling and painting.

A weekly theme will help you focus better on what matters and keep things interesting.

5. Declutter One Thing

You don’t need to declutter your entire house at the start of the week. I reserve this overwhelming task for the end of the month only.

But tackling just one tiny part of the house like a drawer, shelf, or corner can be very satisfying.

It will also make the task of full decluttering easier when the time comes for it.

6. Make A ‘Could-Do’ List

I’m sure you know all about to-do lists, but have you ever made a ‘could-do’ list?

Basically, you just write down things you could do if you find the time, like reading a book, exercising, or cooking something new.

Unlike the obligatory to-do list, a could-do list is pressure-free and fun.

7. Set a Weekly Power Word

Choose a single word that embodies how you want to feel or act during the week.

Words like “focused,” “calm,” or “energized” can serve as your mental anchor.

Write your word on a sticky note or set it as your phone background for a gentle reminder.

8. Create A ‘No List’

Sometimes, it’s just as important to know what you won’t do.

At the start of the week, create a NO LIST of things you want to avoid, like overcommitting, skipping meals, or scrolling endlessly on social media.

It will help you set boundaries and prioritize your tasks better.

9. Reconnect With Nature

Take a short walk outside, even if it’s just around your neighborhood. Breathe in the fresh air, observe the trees, and soak up some sunlight.

Nature has a magical way of grounding us and improving our mood—a perfect antidote to the Monday blues.

10. Clean Up Your Digital Space

Mondays are a great time to do a mini cleanup of your digital spaces.

Clear out your email inbox, delete unnecessary files from your desktop, and organize your phone apps.

A clean phone and laptop are just smoother to work around. It will also make you feel like you’re mentally free (odd, but true).

11. Choose One Game-Changing Task

What’s one thing you can do this week that will make a big difference?

Maybe it’s scheduling a doctor’s appointment, updating your resume, or finally tackling that project you’ve been procrastinating on.

Identify it, plan for it, and make it happen.

12. Wear Your Power Outfit

Your outfit can influence how you feel about yourself.

Even if you’re working from home, you should dress in something you feel good in. It will boost your confidence and productivity.

13. Revisit Your Vision Board or Goals

At the beginning of the week, it’s good practice to revisit your long-term goals or vision board if you have one.

Remind yourself why you’re working hard and what you’re aiming for.

If you don’t have a vision board yet, Mondays are a great day to start one!

14. Cook A Good Dinner

Make your Monday night special by cooking a nice dinner for yourself.

You might be too tired to create anything fancy, so just make a dish you know well, and enjoy alone or with someone.

15. Do A Workout

The best way to fill yourself up with energy at the start of the week? Do a good workout.

It can be a quick yoga session in the morning, or jogging in the evening.

Moving your body will release endorphins and make you feel happy, not to mention so much more confident and stronger than before.

16. Write A Letter To Your Future Self

Give just five minutes to write down a note to yourself for next Monday.

Write about what you hope to accomplish, any advice you have for yourself, or even a few kind words of encouragement.

It’ll be a thoughtful surprise when you read it next week.

17. Start A Gratitude Jar

At the start of each week, write down one thing you’re grateful on a chit and throw it in a jar.

Over time, your gratitude jar will become a treasure trove of positivity. You can revisit it whenever you need some cheering up from your past self.

18. Plan Offline Hours

Decide on specific times during the week when you’ll unplug from technology.

You can use this time away from your screens to read, journal, or spend quality time with your loved ones.

Starting the week with intentional offline hours can help reduce stress and improve focus.

19. Create A Weekly Challenge

This is my personal favorite thing to do at the beginning of a new week.

Create a fun challenge for yourself that you have to complete by Sunday.

Here are some fun examples:

Drink 8 glasses of water every day
Walk 10,000 steps daily
Journal before bed
Eat healthy food only
Have a sugar detox
Don’t use Instagram

Little challenges like these will add excitement to your week and also help you improve your life.

20. Write Down Three Micro-Wins

Reflect on the past week and write down three small things that you are happy you did.

Maybe you called a friend you’d been meaning to check on or stuck to your workout schedule.

Celebrating these micro-wins will give you a confidence boost for the week ahead and make you want to do more good things.

21. Light A Candle Or Diffuse Essential Oils

Aromatherapy is my favorite way to unwind. It’s something I do at the end of every Monday to pat myself for making it through the first day of the week.

Scents can significantly impact your mood, you know.

So, light a scented candle or diffuse some essential oils. It will romanticize your life like nothing else.

22. Organize Your Snacks

Snacks can make or break your energy levels during the week. So, it’s a smart idea to organize and prepare them in advance.

At the very start of a new week, stock up on healthy options like nuts, fruit, or yogurt.

It will prevent those midweek energy crashes and help you reach for good food in between your meals.

23. Do A Quick Financial Check-In

I know that money matters can be stressful, but tackling them head-on at the start of the week will bring you peace of mind.

Review your budget, check for upcoming bills, and set a small financial goal for the week, like skipping takeout one night or saving a specific amount.

This tiny habit will really help you out in the long run.

24. Host a Family or Friends Huddle

If you live with others, have a short meeting to sync up on plans for the week.

You can discuss your schedules, plan meals together, and share exciting life updates (even if they are tiny).

It’s a great way to prompt communication and be in tune with your people.

25. Set An Intention for Joy

Last but not least, you can start your week by setting an intention for joy.

Decide that you’re going to find at least one thing to be joyful about every day this week.

It could be something as simple as enjoying your morning coffee or taking a moment to admire a beautiful sunset.

Starting with this intention will shift your perspective and help you prioritize your mental health.

Kick Off Your Week With Joy And Intention

The beginning of the week can feel like such a drag, but that doesn’t mean you go along with the universal low energy.

Be your own boss and set your own tone for the week by doing good thing. And I think I’ve given you plenty of ideas for that in this post.

So, which ones will you try first? Let me know in the comment box!