If there's one day of the week I protect above all others, it's Sunday. No appointments, no social commitments, no running around and absolutely no pressure to get anything done. I like having a day where my calendar is empty, my phone can stay quiet and I can decide how I want to spend my time without having to work around anyone else's plans.
As a Calgary Personal Assistant and small business owner, much of my week revolves around organization, coordination and making things happen for other people. Add being a mom and wife to the mix, and there's always something that needs my attention. I love the life I've built, but I've also learned that having a busy week makes it even more important to protect time for myself.
For me, Sunday isn't about following a particular routine or trying to be productive. It's about having the freedom to slow down, get a few things in order if I feel like it and enjoy a day without expectations. It's one small boundary that makes a big difference in how I approach the rest of my week, and it's one I have no intention of giving up.
A Little Preparation for the Week Ahead
Although I don't make plans for Sundays, I do enjoy having a little time to get organized for the week ahead. I'm naturally someone who likes things in order, so I sometimes use part of the day to look at my calendar, think about upcoming commitments or take care of a few small things that will make Monday feel easier.
I like knowing what's coming up, especially when I'm balancing client commitments, business responsibilities and everything that comes with family life. A little preparation can go a long way in helping me feel settled before the week begins.
But there's a difference between getting a few things in order and turning Sunday into another workday. I'm not trying to get ahead on everything, finish my entire to-do list or squeeze in every task I've been putting off.
If I feel like doing something, I'll do it. If I don't, it can wait. I want my Sunday preparation to be helpful, not another set of expectations I've created for myself.
Being a Calgary Mom, a Wife and a Business Owner
One thing I've realized over the years is how easy it can be to move from one responsibility to the next without ever really taking a moment for yourself. As a business owner, there are always things to think about. As a mom and wife, there are also everyday responsibilities, family schedules and the little things that come with running a household. Add in the work I do supporting my clients, and it's easy to see how quickly a week can fill up.
I wouldn't change the people or the work that make up my life, but I also recognize that I need to look after myself along the way. I want to enjoy being a mom and wife without feeling like I'm constantly rushing from one responsibility to another.
That's one of the reasons I don't fill my Sundays with plans. I don't want to commit to outings, appointments or social obligations. I want the flexibility to decide how I spend the day when it arrives, whether that's relaxing at home, enjoying some quiet time, doing something around the house or simply having a lazy day.
I think there's a difference between enjoying a full life and feeling like every moment needs to be accounted for. I love the people in my life, but I also appreciate having a day when I don't have to organize anything for anyone or be somewhere at a particular time.
Why I Set Boundaries Around My Sundays
I'm used to being the person who makes things happen. As a Personal Assistant in Calgary, my work involves coordinating details, following up on tasks, solving problems and helping my clients manage the responsibilities that come with everyday life. I take that responsibility seriously, and I want to give my clients the best of me. I bring that same sense of responsibility to my role as a mom and wife.
But I've also learned that being reliable and available doesn't mean I need to be accessible every single day of the week.
I make a conscious effort to disconnect from unnecessary calls, messages and emails on Sundays. Unless something genuinely needs my attention, it can usually wait until Monday. I don't want to spend my day mentally working through the week ahead or feeling like I should be responding to something just because my phone is nearby.
When you own a business, it's easy to blur the lines between work and personal time. There's no shortage of things that could be done, whether it's responding to an email, updating something on the website, planning upcoming content or thinking about a new idea. Even when I'm not physically working, it's easy to find myself thinking about work.
I've had to learn that just because I can work on something doesn't mean I should. Having a business doesn't mean every day needs to be a working day, and being a Personal Assistant doesn't mean I need to be available around the clock.
I also think it's important to practise what I encourage my clients to do. A big part of what I talk about through Better Than A Bot is creating a healthier work-life balance, making more time for the things that matter and not allowing everyday responsibilities to take over every spare moment. I wouldn't feel right encouraging my clients to make those changes if I wasn't making an effort to do the same in my own life. If I'm helping others find more balance, I need to make sure I'm giving myself that same opportunity.
My clients deserve someone who is focused, organized and present when they're receiving support. I also deserve time away from those responsibilities. Setting that expectation for myself allows me to maintain the boundaries that make my business and personal life work together.
I think there's something to be said for being comfortable with things waiting until tomorrow. Not everything needs an immediate response, and not every spare moment needs to be productive.
The Value of Having Absolutely No Plans
I know that having an entire day with nothing scheduled might not appeal to everyone. Some people love having their weekends filled with activities, social plans and places to go. For me, it's quite the opposite. I enjoy knowing that I have nowhere to be and nothing I have committed to doing. I don't have to watch the clock, work around an appointment or think about what comes next. If I want to spend the morning relaxing, I can. If I feel like getting something done around the house, I can do that too. And if I decide that I don't feel like doing either, that's perfectly fine.
I think we sometimes underestimate how much freedom there is in having an empty calendar. Even enjoyable plans can come with a certain amount of preparation, coordination and time commitments. There's nothing wrong with that, but I don't want every day of my week to feel that way.
Leaving Sunday open means I don't have to make decisions about where I need to be or what I need to do in advance. I can wake up and see how I feel. Some days I might be in the mood to get a few things done, while other days I'd rather take it easy. Neither requires an explanation.
For someone who naturally enjoys organizing, planning and getting things done, learning to leave space for nothing has been just as important. Not every day needs to have a purpose beyond enjoying it.
Why I'm Keeping My Sundays Sacred
I don't protect my Sundays because I have a perfect routine or because I think everyone should spend their weekends the same way. It's simply something that works for me, and I've learned how much I value having one day without expectations. As a Calgary Personal Assistant and small business owner, I spend much of my week helping other people make more room in their lives. I've learned that I need to apply that same thinking to my own.
I'm a mom, a wife and a business owner, and while I love all the roles I get to play, I don't want every day to feel like I'm moving from one responsibility to another. I also don't think having boundaries means being inflexible. Life happens, and there will always be the occasional Sunday when something unexpected comes up. But there's a difference between making an exception when necessary and allowing every Sunday to become another day filled with obligations.
For me, protecting this one day is a reminder that my time matters, too. I don't need to earn a day off by finishing everything on my to-do list, and I don't need to fill an empty calendar just because I have the opportunity.
No plans, no pressure and no guilt. That's my kind of Sunday, and it's one day of the week I don't compromise on!
