Slow Sundays: Creating a Weekly Ritual of Rest & Reflection

Today we will explore one of my favorite practices: creating a Slow Sunday. In a world that moves ever faster, choosing to rest and reflect becomes an act of quiet rebellion, and a beautiful one at that. Sundays, for me, are a gentle return to center, a way to close the week with care and open the next with grace.

There is no single way to craft a Sunday ritual. But I believe it begins with intention: to slow down, to listen inward, and to savor the things that too often go unnoticed during our busy days.

The Morning Begins Slowly

There is no rush on Sundays. I wake naturally, without alarms. A pot of Earl Grey or a French press of coffee. A soft robe. Bare feet on clean floors. The first hour is always quiet, reading something nourishing, writing, or simply sitting by the window and watching the light change.

A Home that Reflects Peace

I like to do a light reset of the house, not cleaning but refreshing. Folding a blanket, trimming the ends of last week’s bouquet, lighting a candle in the entryway. Scent plays a central role: beeswax, lavender, or something warm and herbal. The home becomes a cocoon again.

MidMorning Pause

Slow and simple: a quiche with seasonal salad, toast with jam, or a chocolate croissant and fresh orange juice. If it’s fine out, I might eat in a sunlit spot. If not, I set the table beautifully anyway. A linen napkin, a small vase. These details return me to myself.

Family Lunch

Church followed by a family lunch is my favorite option. I always go to church on Sundays and love to cook for my family afterwards. If everyone is away (college, school, or simply family leaving abroad), I reserve time for phone calls and nice chats instead of an in-person connection.

The Afternoon Stretch

Afternoons are for rest. A book, a bath, a walk if the weather allows. Sometimes it’s a moment to catch up on letters or sketch ideas for the week ahead. It is not about productivity but presence.

An Evening Ritual

As the light dims, I return to candlelight. I write a few lines in my journal, perhaps list my intentions for the new week. Dinner is often comfort food and a movie, warm, and familiar. I put the house to bed: dishes washed, a teacup set out, lights dimmed low. Then I slip into bed early, often with a book that doesn’t demand too much.

Reminders:

• Start the day without an alarm

• Set the table for even the simplest meal

• Choose one small thing to refresh at home

• Light candles before sunset

• Reflect before bed with a few handwritten thoughts

I Am Grateful for Today:

• The quiet rhythm of morning light

• The scent of lavender in the hallway

• The comfort of familiar pages before sleep

From Our House to Yours,
Mrs. Mayfair