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It is officially the longest day of the year. Happy Summer Solstice! And, if your house looks anything like mine right now, happy "how did we manage to get sand and grass clippings into every single room?" day.
Between celebrating Father’s Day this morning: which involved a lot of bacon, some messy handmade cards, and a very enthusiastic backyard sprinkler session: and the usual weekend hum, the "Sunday Scaries" are starting to creep in. You know that feeling. It’s that low-level hum of anxiety that starts around 4:00 PM when you realize the laundry is still in the washer, the fridge is holding onto three lonely carrots and a jar of pickles, and Monday is looming.
At 31:13 Studios, we’re big fans of the "Sunday Reset." It’s not about deep cleaning the baseboards with a toothbrush or achieving a Pinterest-perfect pantry. It’s about creating breathing room. It’s about doing just enough today so that tomorrow-morning-you doesn't want to crawl back under the covers.
Today’s reset is focused on three things: taming the entryway, waking up the sourdough, and a menu that doesn’t require me to stand over a hot stove for two hours.
Taming the Entryway (The 10-Minute Sweep)
The entryway is the gatekeeper of the home’s energy. When I walk in and immediately trip over a rogue flip-flop or a bag of baseball gear, my brain instantly shifts into "stress mode."
For this Sunday Reset, we’re doing a quick sweep. We call this "Breathing Room" organization. We aren't alphabetizing the shoe rack. We are simply:
- Clearing the Floor: Gathering all the shoes and putting them where they belong (or at least into the designated basket).
- The Paper Purge: Grabbing that stack of mail and school flyers. If it’s junk, it goes to the bin. If it needs action, it goes to the kitchen counter.
- Resetting the Hooks: Hanging up the bags and jackets that have migrated to the floor.
It’s amazing how much lighter the whole house feels when you can actually see the floor by the front door. It says, "Welcome home, we have our act (mostly) together."
Feeding the Sourdough Starter
If you’ve been following our sourdough journey, you know my starter is basically another member of the family at this point. She’s currently sitting in the back of the fridge, probably smelling a bit like nail polish remover: which, as we’ve talked about before, just means she’s hungry.
Sunday afternoon is the perfect time to pull the starter out. I’m giving her a good feeding today so she’s bubbly and ready for a mid-week loaf or some sourdough discard pancakes on Tuesday morning.
Pro-tip: If your starter is looking a little sad, don't panic. Dump most of it, keep about two tablespoons, and feed it equal parts flour and water. By tomorrow morning, it’ll be back to its bubbly self. It’s the ultimate kitchen "reboot."
The Menu: Simple Summer Tacos
Since it’s the Solstice and Father’s Day, nobody wants to spend the evening scrubbing pots. We’re leaning into simple dinner ideas that feel like summer on a plate.
We’re doing Grilled Chicken Tacos. Here’s the plan:
- The Protein: Chicken thighs tossed in a bit of lime juice, olive oil, and our favorite homemade seasoning blend. Throw them on the grill (or a cast iron skillet if you’re staying inside) until they’ve got those nice charred edges.
- The Toppings: Keep it fresh. Shredded cabbage, some pickled red onions (I try to keep a jar of these in the fridge at all times), and plenty of cilantro.
- The Shortcut: If you're feeling fancy, a dollop of Greek yogurt mixed with a little hot sauce makes the perfect "cheater" crema.
Tacos are the ultimate meal prep win because any leftover chicken can be tossed on a salad for lunch tomorrow or rolled into a wrap for the kids. It’s efficient, it’s delicious, and it feels like a celebration without the stress.
Grab Your Printable Grocery List
Part of my Sunday routine is sitting down with my coffee and mapping out the week. I’ve realized that if I don't write it down, I end up at the store buying three jars of mayo (because I forgot we already had two) and zero milk.
I use our Minimalist Grocery List printable for this. It’s broken down into Produce & Dairy, Pantry & Protein, and Spices & Condiments. It keeps me from wandering the aisles like a lost soul.
You can find this and our other kitchen organizers in our printables collection. They’re designed to be used, messy-hand-approved, and stuck to the fridge with a magnet. No pressure, just a little bit of structure to help the week run smoother.
Looking Ahead
As we head into this week, remember: progress over perfection. Your entryway might be messy again by Tuesday. Your sourdough might sit on the counter an extra day. That’s okay. The goal of the Sunday Reset isn't to create a museum-quality home; it's to give yourself a head start.
Take a deep breath, enjoy the extra sunlight this evening, and let’s tackle the week together.
What’s one thing you’re doing today to make your Monday easier? Come tell me on Instagram or drop a comment below. I’d love to hear your "Real Life" reset tips!
Stay curious,
Penny