Guide to Finishing the Week Calmly (And Starting Monday Even Better)
Fridays carry a very particular energy. A sense of lightness. Anticipation. Freedom just around the corner. But they also come with something else many busy professionals don’t talk about: the quiet temptation to mentally check out long before the workday is actually over. It’s understandable — after a demanding week of decisions, meetings, emails, and responsibilities, your brain is tired. The weekend feels close enough to touch. And suddenly, those lingering tasks begin to shift into the category of:
“…I’ll just deal with it on Monday.” The problem? Monday you never appreciates that version of problem-passing. And neither does your stress level.
If you’re someone who wants your weeks — and your wellbeing — to feel smoother, calmer, and more intentional, here’s a gentle reminder:
Don’t check out too soon. Your Monday self will thank you.
The end of the week doesn’t need to be chaotic. It doesn’t need to be a scramble, a half-finished inbox, or a stack of tasks waiting like unwelcome guests for Monday morning. With a few simple rituals, you can reclaim your Fridays — and dramatically improve how next week begins.
Here’s the Peppermint-approved routine I share with my clients:
1. Set a Friday Cut-Off Time
Decision fatigue peaks by Friday. Choosing when your day ends removes the mental fog and gives you something to work toward. Whether it’s 3pm or 5pm, set a clear boundary: “This is the moment I finish.” Your brain loves clarity — it performs better with it.
2. Write Your “Final Five” List
Five small tasks you will complete before you sign off.
Nothing huge, nothing overwhelming — just the loose ends that, if done, make Monday infinitely smoother.
Examples:
– Respond to one outstanding client email
– Confirm a meeting
– File your expenses
– Tidy your downloads folder
– Organise Monday’s top priorities
Completing these gives you a powerful sense of closure.
3. Clear Your Workspace (Digital + Physical)
Two minutes is genuinely enough. Close tabs. Recycle loose papers. File one folder. A tidy desk and tidy desktop signals to your brain: “The week is complete.”
4. Flag Monday Must-Sees
Don’t rely on memory — memory isn’t a system. Quickly star or highlight tasks and emails you need eyes on first thing next week. This prevents Monday morning chaos and helps you start the week with confidence instead of confusion.
5. Set One Intention for Next Week
Not a list. Not a plan. Just one intention. It might be:
– “Communicate more clearly.”
– “Delegate earlier in the week.”
– “Avoid overbooking.”
– “Prioritise deep work.”
Small intentions create big shifts.
The Reward: A Lighter Monday, A Smoother Weekend, A Clearer Mind
Finishing Fridays with more intention means you actually get to enjoy your weekend — not spend it mentally preparing for Monday. And then, when 5pm rolls around… The espresso martini, the cosy restaurant, the long walk, the movie night — whatever your version of “Friday feeling” is — becomes so much sweeter. Because you’ve earned it with clarity, not avoidance.
Let Peppermint Help You Finish Strong Every Week
If your Fridays feel frantic or your Mondays feel heavy, it’s a sign you may be carrying too much.
A Personal or Executive Assistant isn’t a luxury — it’s a strategy for reclaiming your time, your energy, and your peace.
From inbox management to weekly planning to task delegation, Peppermint ensures your week runs smoothly so you don’t have to think (or stress) about the details.
Support that gives you back the most valuable asset you have: time.
