Wondering what to do on the weekend for a productive week? Figure out how to create your perfect weekend to-do list using the to-do list printable so you’re not wasting valuable time.
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How do you spend your weekend?
My weekends usually involve visiting friends and family, going to new fun places, and a whole lotta Netflix watching.
Do you ever feel like you’re wasting your valuable weekend time and you’re never prepared for Monday morning?
Or maybe you spend all weekend cleaning and you’re ready to find a few other ways to enjoy your weekend.
The power of a weekend to-do list is that you control what activities to participate in.
The many benefits of a weekend to-do list
To-do lists get a bad rap because so many people don’t use them properly.
We schedule everything we’ve been meaning to get done for the last 6 months on one Tuesday afternoon. Then we feel defeated when we don’t even make it through the first 5 tasks.
When done correctly, a to-do list helps you:
- Prioritize your tasks
- Be held accountable
- Manage your time
- Increase productivity
- Stop worrying about everything that needs to be done
- Learn to delegate
It’s worth your time and energy to learn how to utilize a to-do list for maximum productivity.
Read: How To Be Intentional With Your Time To Control Your Life
Before you create your weekend to-do list
The first thing I do before creating my to-do list is a brain dump.
I set a timer for 5 minutes and write down everything that pops in my head that I’d like to get done.
Once I have all of these ideas on paper it’s time to prioritize them.
When I create my to-do list I like to separate my tasks into 4 categories.
Must-do tasks
These are the tasks that are the highest priority. You can’t pass go and collect $200 until these tasks are completed.
Should do tasks
This is the next set of tasks to complete. Your should do tasks are things that should get done today but it’s also okay if you get to them tomorrow.
Want to do tasks
Things that you’d like to do but aren’t a priority should go in this category. Once you’ve finished your must-do list and should list you can start working on this list.
Delegate list
This is an important category to help you practice asking for help instead of doing everything yourself. If you have a hard time handing over the reins, start with delegating one task until you feel comfortable delegating more.
How to create your perfect weekend to-do list
During the week it’s pretty easy to make your to-do list because you have a good idea of what needs to be done throughout the week.
But on the weekend you may find yourself wasting a lot of time and entering the next week scattered and unprepared.
Here are 15 ideas for you to consider adding (or removing) from your weekend to-do list so that you can maximize the use of your time.
1. Visit family and friends
Since most people are off from work on the weekend this is a great time to reach out and schedule a time to meet up.
It’s so easy to get caught up in the day to day activities and keep pushing off making time for our loved ones.
Every weekend make it a priority to spend time (even if it’s a phone call) with the people you care about.
2. Limit social media
Social media is a great way to keep up in contact with people we know but it can also be draining and detrimental to your mental health.
Taking a break on the weekend to unplug from social media will help you take a mental break.
Read: Time management tips for moms: How to be more efficient
3. Practice mindfulness
Do you ever take a few minutes to appreciate everything around you?
It’s easy to forget how fortunate you are and all of the many blessings that surround you.
Consider adding activities like:
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Journaling
This will help you form a deeper connection with yourself and your surroundings.
4. Exercise
Moving your body helps you create energy so you can be more productive.
It also improves your mood which means you won’t have as much stress.
5. Find a hobby
A hobby helps you find purpose outside of being a wife and mother. It’s something that you find joy in and can be passionate about.
A common myth about finding a hobby as a mom is that it means you don’t love being a mom which is completely false.
You can be passionate about multiple things.
Having something that fuels your mind, body, and soul can help you enjoy motherhood even more.
6. Side hustle
Sometimes your hobby may turn into a side hustle that creates an extra income for your family.
Isn’t it awesome to get paid for doing something you’d do for free because you love it so much?
7. Volunteer
If you’re passionate about helping others you may enjoy volunteering.
A few great causes to help are:
- Operation Underground Railroad: helps the fight against child sex trafficking
- Domestic violence shelter: help provide a comfortable and safe environment for victims of domestic violence
- Baby cuddler: provide comfort to babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
- Animal shelter: help care for the animals
Check within your community to find local volunteer opportunities.
8. Take a trip
The weekend is a fun time to plan a getaway whether alone, with your significant other, or as a family.
Find somewhere fun to go and get a change of scenery so you can take a small break from everyday life.
9. Enjoy the fresh air
Even if you don’t take a trip still consider getting out of the house for some fresh air.
Hopefully, the sun is out but if it’s not still spend time outside so you don’t feel stuck in the house.
10. Don’t change your sleep schedule
During the weekend it may be tempting to stay up later or sleep in but don’t fall into the trap.
Messing up your sleep schedule can deplete your energy and make you even more tired.
Continue the sleep schedule your body is already used to so you’re not readjusting to your sleep schedule on Monday.
11. Reflect on the week
On Sunday evening reflect on how your week went.
What went perfectly, what went wrong, and what could’ve been tweaked to make things better.
Reflect on your week will help you make improvements to your routine next week.
Read: Why Time Blocking Is The Best Productivity Hack
12. Prepare for next week
Once you’re done reflecting, start making your to-do lists for the upcoming week.
Start with priorities like appointments or important errands that are in the must-do category.
After that keep adding items from your brain dump.
13. Meal plan and prep
Planning and prepping your meals for the week will help you save time and money by not grabbing fast food out of frustration.
The easiest option for meal planning and prepping is to use My FreezEasy.
Here’s how it works:
- Create your customized meal plan
- Choose your serving size
- You’ll get your printable shopping lists and instructions
- Prep the meals
- Freeze them (you also get labels)
- Cook when you’re ready!
This is an easy way to have an entire month’s worth of freezer meals prepped and ready to be cooked.
14. Avoid doing chores
As tempting as it may be to spend your weekend cleaning try to resist the urge.
Use a daily cleaning schedule to spread your cleaning throughout the week so you’re not doing everything on the weekend.
15. Recharge your battery
Take time during the weekend to practice self-care and recharge your battery before the next week starts.
This will help you de-stress and enter the week with more patience.
Quick recap…
These weekend to-do list ideas will help you stop feeling like you’re wasting your valuable weekend time.
You’ll enter Monday prepared and ready for the week.
For a simple way to manage your to-do list, use this printable brain dump and to-do list to easily prioritize your tasks.
