When Summer Break Hits, Monday Reboots Feel Different

When summer break isn't here, Mondays can feel like the most overwhelming day of the week. It's the day we say goodbye to the fun of the weekend and head straight back into the hectic work world we don’t always love. Sundays are usually my reset day, but there’s something refreshing about turning Monday into a reboot day when I’m on summer break. It’s all about setting intentions and moving with a sense of calm productivity after a fun, busy weekend.

Chapter Closed: Finishing a Book

One thing I struggle with during the school year is getting lost in a good book. I started The Fine Print by Lauren Asher during the last week of school, but my brain is usually too tired to get through more than a chapter at a time. This week, I’ve finally had time to truly dive in and Monday morning, I went from 40% to 100% finished.

I love when a book takes me on an emotional journey, and this one did just that. The Fine Print is a fun, emotional romance set in a Disney-esque theme park empire. It follows Rowan, a grumpy billionaire tasked with revamping the creative team at Dreamland, and Zahra, a passionate employee who ends up rewriting his entire outlook on life. I loved how it mixed workplace drama with swoony moments. The banter between them felt so real. It has just the right amount of spice, heart, and a little chaos. It’s the kind of book you devour in one sitting and immediately want to discuss with your friends.

Finishing this book felt like closing a chapter of my own and making space for the next story. I’ve already picked up my next read, and it’s not the next in the series. I’m starting Picking Daisies on Sundays by Liana Cincotti, a book I’ve been waiting to dive into for a while. Can’t wait to share my thoughts on it soon!

Restocking the Essentials

There’s something grounding about grocery shopping. By Sunday, the fridge and pantry are usually running low, and it’s time to plan meals for the week. Since getting married, I’ve been cooking for both me and my husband and I’m always looking for new recipes to try while still keeping some of our tried-and-true favorites in rotation.

This week, I picked up ingredients for pastina, kielbasa with potatoes, and ramen. Pastina is a quick household favorite, while the other two are new dishes I’m excited to experiment with. Trying new meals during summer is always exciting, and I’ll be sure to share how they turn out!

Another ritual I find comforting is prepping fruit and lunch items for the week. Being home for the summer gives me extra motivation to eat better. I've been making fruit bowls and focaccia, and honestly, prepping them on Monday kickstarts my motivation for everything else. It might sound silly, but on weeks when I skip fruit and focaccia prep, I definitely feel less inspired to tackle other apartment tasks.

As part of my Monday reboot, I also made something new for lunch: miso soup. I’ve always loved it, and after seeing a TikTok recipe, I made a quick run to Eastside Asian Market to grab what I needed. I made a big pot for the week, and it’s quickly become one of my new comfort foods. To end the day, I made pastina (but used ditalini instead). It’s quick, cozy, and the perfect way to wrap up a day of errands and food prep.

Unwinding & Watching New Moon

One of my favorite forms of self-care is watching a nostalgic movie. I somehow convinced my husband to watch the entire Twilight series with me (yes, the whole thing), and part of my Monday reboot usually involves watching something comforting.

On Sunday, I shared how it’s okay to do nothing sometimes and that applies even more after a productive day. Taking the time to unwind with a movie like New Moon was the reset I didn’t know I needed. It’s also fun seeing it through my husband’s eyes since he’s never seen them before. Beyond the reboot, I really value these little moments to connect and share something I love with him.

A Reset Worth Repeating

This Monday, and honestly most of my summer Mondays, help set the tone for the rest of the week. Getting most of the chores done early means I can spend the rest of the week focused on reading, porch gardening, hobbies, lesson planning, and growing my blog community with less stress.

If a Monday reboot doesn’t work for you, I highly recommend picking a different day. Once the school year starts again, I’ll return to my Sunday resets, and that’s okay! It’s really just about setting an intention and building a routine that supports the kind of week you want to have.

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Your Side Quest:

What’s one simple thing you do to reset your week: mind, space, or soul?