Hello, my wonderful friend! Is there anything quite like the feeling of a new month stretching out ahead of us? It’s a clean slate, a fresh chapter just waiting to be written. But if you’re anything like me, that initial excitement can sometimes quickly turn into a whisper of overwhelm. Where do I even start?
Well, I’ve learned that the secret to a peaceful and productive month is about starting smarter, not only doing more. Over time, I’ve crafted a collection of gentle, beginning-of-the-month rituals that have completely transformed how I feel about those 30-ish days. They’re like giving my future self a giant hug.
So, pour yourself a cup of tea, get cozy, and let’s walk through this monthly reset checklist together. Think of it as our little planning party!
Pin it for later!
Monthly reset checklist: things to do at the beginning of the month
1) Look back at last month
Before we rush headfirst into new plans, let’s take a compassionate pause to look back. I promise, this isn’t about dwelling on what you didn’t do! It’s about celebrating how far you’ve come.
Do a little month-end review. Grab your journal or just find a quiet corner for ten minutes. Ask yourself: What were my tiny victories? What brought me joy? What felt a little draining?
Acknowledging these things gives us the most valuable map for the road ahead. It shows us where the potholes are and where the beautiful viewpoints were.
2) Set your main goals
Now, with that insight, let’s dream a little. Let’s choose 3-5 main goals for the month. I want you to keep this list kind and achievable. This isn’t a demanding to-do list from a drill sergeant; it’s a promise you make to yourself.
Maybe it’s “finally organize the hall closet,” “have two tech-free Sundays,” or “try that new recipe I’ve been saving.” Write them down somewhere beautiful. These are your lighthouses, guiding you through the month’s waves.
3) Check your money
I can feel the urge to skip this one, but stay with me! Giving your budget a little love is one of the most powerful acts of self-care. Schedule a 20-minute “money date” with yourself. Look at last month’s spending, not with criticism, but with curiosity. Did your money go where you truly wanted it to? Then, look ahead.
Plan for any known expenses and give yourself a generous but realistic amount for fun. This isn’t about restriction; it’s about empowerment and making your money support the life you want to live.
4) Clean up your phone and computer
Our phones and laptops are like our digital living rooms, and boy, can they get messy! Let’s tackle the digital clutter together. We can start with your email inbox. Unsubscribe from all those stores and newsletters that just add to the noise.
Then, let’s dive into your phone photos. Delete the blurry ones, the duplicates, and the screenshots that you don’t need anymore. It’s like a deep, calming breath for your mind. You’ll feel instantly lighter, I promise.
5) Plan your time
This is my absolute favorite power move. Take control of your calendar! Block out time for everything that matters. That includes the big stuff like work deadlines and doctor’s appointments, but also the essential stuff, like “reading time,” “walk in the park,” or “absolutely nothing.”
When you see your time laid out with intention, it stops other people’s demands from automatically filling it. You become the author of your days, not just a character in them.
6) Decide your meals for the week
Okay, let’s talk about one of my favorite life-saving rituals: meal planning. I can literally feel my stress levels drop when I have a plan for the week’s dinners. The 5 p.m. “What’s for dinner?” panic is a real energy drain, and it often leads to expensive takeout or less-healthy choices.
Here’s my super-simple approach:
Check Your Calendar First: Look at your week. Which nights are busy? Which are calm? Plan for quick meals (like leftovers, omelets, or a simple pasta dish) on your hectic days, and save the new, fun recipes for when you have more time.
Theme It Up: This makes it even easier! Think “Meatless Monday,” “Taco Tuesday,” “Stir-Fry Friday.” Having a loose theme eliminates the “blank page” problem.
Shop Your Kitchen: Before you write your list, peek in your pantry, fridge, and freezer. What needs to be used up? Building a meal around a lonely sweet potato or that can of chickpeas is both economical and satisfying.
Having a plan means less stress, less food waste, and healthier choices. It’s a gift you give your future, tired self every single day.
7) Tidy up your home
Our environment has a huge impact on our mental state. Let’s give our home a quick, loving reset. We’re not talking about a full spring clean! Just set a timer for one hour. In that time, let’s change our bed linens (there’s nothing like fresh sheets!), take out all the trash and recycling, quickly vacuum the main living areas, and wipe down the kitchen and bathroom counters.
Walking into a clean, fresh space makes the entire month feel more manageable and calm.
8) Pick your top 3 daily tasks
Here’s a tiny habit with massive impact. Each evening (or first thing in the morning), write down your Top 3 priorities for the day. Not a list of 20 things, just three.
What are the three things that, if you accomplished them, would make you lay your head on the pillow feeling deeply satisfied? Starting this at the beginning of the month turns it into a beautiful, grounding ritual.
9) Check your subscriptions
Let’s go on a little treasure hunt in our bank statements. Audit your subscriptions and memberships. Are you still using that gym app? Really reading that digital magazine?
Canceling what you don’t use is like finding cash in a coat pocket. It’s a quick and easy win that frees up resources for things you truly value.
10) Schedule time for fun
We are so quick to schedule work and appointments, but we leave our own joy to chance. Let’s change that. Open your calendar right now and block out time for fun. Write “Saturday morning hike” or “Paint Night” or “Call Sarah” in pen.
When it’s in the calendar, it’s a real commitment to your own happiness. You are just as important as any other appointment.
11) Organize your workspace
Whether it’s a dedicated office or the kitchen table, your workspace deserves a little love. Spend 15 minutes tidying your physical workspace. File those papers, clear the coffee cups, wipe down your monitor, and organize your pens.
Creating a clear, physical space does wonders for creating clear, mental space. It tells your brain, “It’s time to focus and create.”
12) Check your supplies
Now that we’ve done our meal plan, this is the perfect time for a pantry and freezer inventory. Let’s do a quick, two-minute scan. Take note of what’s running low, like toilet paper, olive oil, your favorite tea, frozen veggies, or laundry detergent.
Adding these to your master shopping list now prevents those frantic, last-minute store runs later. It’s a small act that makes daily life run so much more smoothly.
13) Choose a monthly theme
Finally, my favorite part. Pick a single word or theme for your month. This is your gentle guide. Maybe it’s “Nourish” (your body with that meal plan, your mind with good books, your soul with connection), “Lighten” (your load, your diet, your spirit), or “Courage.”
Keep this word somewhere you can see it. When you’re faced with a decision, big or small, you can ask yourself, “What would support my intention to [Nourish] this month?” It weaves a thread of purpose through everything you do.
Wrap up
We’ve covered a lot of ground together, but I hope this list feels less like a rigid to-do list and more like a friendly monthly reset checklist. Remember, you don’t have to tackle all of this at once!
Maybe this month, you just focus on setting your three main goals and planning your meals for the first week. Or perhaps you feel called to do a digital declutter and schedule some joy. Every single step you take is a victory.
Take a deep breath. Pick one thing that feels easy and exciting. Trust that by planting these small seeds of intention now, you are setting the stage for a month that feels more manageable, more purposeful, and infinitely more peaceful.
You have everything you need to make this your most organized month yet.
