A Monthly Reset

By Izmir Laforest

2020 was an eventful and impactful year for many, and going into 2021-you may want to set new goals for yourself or intentions for the year. However, it can be hard to continue working towards our goals after a certain point. So as we go into a new month of the year, here are a couple of steps you can take for a reset to refocus on your objective and start the new month on a clean slate.

1. Reflect on your last month

To begin, think about how the last month went. What did you do that you enjoyed? What didn’t you enjoy? What are you proud of yourself for accomplishing? What drained your energy last month?

By identifying what you benefited from versus what didn’t help you, you can begin to ask yourself how to adjust accordingly. Reflecting on your accomplishments results in a feeling of gratitude and pride towards yourself. Even if you didn’t do what you wished you did, don’t be hard on yourself. Growth takes time, and it’s not a straightforward process. You’ll still have many more chances to do something that aligns with your core values.

2. Revisit your goals

Take into consideration your feelings about last month and look at the intentions you set for this year. Do you have a long list of broad goals? Do you feel that they’re realistic? Based on last month, is there anything you’d like to change? How can you incorporate your goals this month?

Sometimes when setting goals, we tend to have a long list of things to do, and we want to reach them immediately. A more realistic approach could be to create small, specific, and attainable goals for the new month that help you get to that one broad goal for the year. This way, you’re kinder to yourself, and there is not as much stress on you to aimlessly shoot at your aspiration.

3. Deep clean your surroundings

Another thing you can do is deep clean your surroundings. It could be sweeping, vacuuming, or reorganizing, anything your space needs. By doing so, you can fully enjoy the start of a new month in a clean space that’s ready for you and your ambitions.

4. 24-hour social media detox

Mental health, as well as physical health, is key to success. Taking some time off from social media or electronics is an effective way to clear your mind for some time. It allows you to take a step back from this chaotic world and gives you time to focus on yourself. During this detox, you can do things that bring you joy and spend some quality time with yourself. It’s a nice thing to do for your mind, and it’ll thank you for it.

By trying some of these things, you can enter the new month filled with inner peace and determination. Let’s make this month gratifying for ourselves.