I’ve always been someone who thrives on routine: morning, nightly, skincare, Sundays—honestly, I’d feel lost without them. And there’s just something about the start of a new month that excites me—the feeling of a fresh slate, a reset button, my chance to redo it all over again, but better.
It’s like getting a mini New Year’s Day every few weeks, a built-in checkpoint where I can pause, reflect, and reset before diving into the next 30 days.
And because of my love for structure (not to be confused with perfectionism!), I’ve been able to fine-tune a monthly reset routine that keeps me feeling organized, inspired, refreshed, and intentional about the month ahead. Without it, I find myself running on autopilot, reacting to life rather than actively shaping it, just doing the same things over and over again with no…substance.
In this post I’m sharing this monthly reset routine that blends reflection, planning, and making space for creativity and rest in the hopes it can help you form one of your own!
What is a monthly reset routine?
Think of a monthly reset routine as a little life audit—a chance to hit the refresh button and get everything back in sync before diving into a new month. This is the time when I check in on my goals, tidy up my space (both physically and mentally), and get re-inspired for what’s ahead. Whether it’s reviewing my budget, setting new intentions, or just clearing out my inbox, this routine helps me feel more in control and excited for the month to come.
The monthly reset routine I swear by for a fresh start every month
1. Brain dump
Before diving into anything, I like to start with a good old-fashioned brain dump. This is where I get everything swirling around in my head onto my journal so I can clear mental clutter and see what actually needs my attention.
- Write It All Down: I list out everything on my mind—tasks, worries, ideas, reminders—without organizing or overthinking it.
- Sort & Prioritize: Once it’s all out, I go through and categorize things into what’s urgent, what can wait, and what I can let go of entirely.
- Instant Relief: This simple exercise helps me feel less overwhelmed and gives me a clearer starting point for my reset.
2. Reflect on the past month
Before I can move forward, I like to take a moment to look back. This part is crucial because it helps me see what worked, what didn’t, and what I want to improve on.
- Wins & Challenges: I write down my biggest accomplishments, no matter how small, and take note of any challenges I faced. Acknowledging both keeps me grounded and helps me learn from my experiences.
- Habits & Routines Check-In: I ask myself: What habits made me feel good? What habits drained my energy? This gives me a chance to double down on what’s working and tweak what’s not.
- Memories & Gratitude: I like to flip through my camera roll, scroll through my journal, or just reflect on moments that brought me joy. It reminds me to be grateful for the little things.
3. Set goals and intentions
Once I’ve reflected, I shift my focus to the month ahead. I find that setting clear intentions keeps me motivated and gives me direction.
- Big Picture Goals: I pick 2-3 big goals for the month. These could be work-related, personal growth, or lifestyle-focused. For example, last month, I focused on reading more books and meal prepping consistently.
- Break It Down: I break my big goals into actionable steps (think S.M.A.R.T). Instead of just saying, “I want to work out more,” I decide how many days a week I’ll exercise and what types of workouts I’ll do.
- Word of the Month: Sometimes, I like to set a theme or word for the month—something that encapsulates the energy I want to bring. Some past words have been “consistency,” “relaxation,” and “growth.”
4. Financial and budget reset
Money is one of those things that can easily get away from me if I’m not intentional about it. Doing a financial check-in at the start of the month helps me stay on top of my spending and savings goals.
- Review Spending: I go through my bank statements and track where my money went last month. It’s eye-opening (and sometimes a little scary), but it helps me see patterns.
- Set a Budget: Based on last month’s spending, I set a budget for the new month. I make sure to allocate money for savings, investments, and fun spending.
- Money Goals: If I have specific financial goals—like saving for a trip or paying off debt—I make a plan to move closer to them.
5. Digital declutter and organization
A cluttered digital space clutters my mind. I’ve made it a habit to declutter my digital world at the start of every month.
- Clear Out Emails & Files: I go through my inbox, delete unnecessary emails, and organize important documents into folders.
- Go Through Camera Roll: I make sometime to go through the months camera roll and delete duplicate or unwanted photos and videos. Because yes, my icloud is always clinging on the edge of disaster!
- Unsubscribe & Unfollow: If I find myself mindlessly deleting the same email newsletters every day or scrolling past uninspiring content, I unsubscribe and unfollow, simple as that.
- Refresh My Digital Space: I change my phone wallpaper (sometimes), update my playlists, and reorganize my apps to make my digital space feel fresh.
6. Home reset
Possibly my favourite thing on my monthly reset routine (is that weird?) There’s something about a clean, organized home that instantly makes me feel like I have my life together. At the beginning of the month, I do a home refresh to create a calm and inspiring space.
- Declutter & Donate: I do a quick sweep of my space and donate or toss anything I no longer need.
- Deep Clean Key Areas: I focus on areas that tend to accumulate mess—my desk, closet, and kitchen.
- Restock Essentials: I check my household supplies and restock anything I’m running low on, so I don’t have to make last-minute store runs.
7. Plan and schedule the month
I’m a big believer in planning ahead so I’m not scrambling last minute. A monthly planning session helps me stay on top of deadlines, commitments, and self-care.
- Sync My Calendar: I make sure all my work deadlines, appointments, and social events are on my calendar.
- Plan Self-Care & Downtime: I schedule time for things that recharge me—whether it’s a coffee date with friends, a weekend getaway with my husband, or just a night to do nothing. This is non-negotiable!
- Create a To-Do List: I make a master list of tasks I need to tackle throughout the month so I can prioritize effectively.
8. Self-care and personal growth check-in
Life isn’t just about productivity—it’s also about feeling good. I make sure to set some intentions around my personal growth and well-being.
- Books & Learning Goals: I choose what books I want to read or what new skill I want to work on.
- Mindset Reset: I journal about how I want to feel this month and what I need to do to cultivate that feeling.
- Wellness Priorities: Whether it’s drinking more water, getting better sleep, or practicing mindfulness, I set small self-care goals to support my well-being.
How to create your own monthly reset routine
If you’re new to the idea of a monthly reset, don’t worry—you don’t need to overhaul your entire life in one go. The beauty of this routine is that it’s completely customizable. Here’s what you need to do:
- Set your intentions: Start by thinking about the areas of your life that tend to get a little chaotic by the end of the month. Maybe your finances need a check-in, your space could use a refresh, or you want to be more intentional with your time. Pick a few steps that resonate with you and build from there.
- Choose your rituals and focus points: Now that you’ve pinpointed all this, simply create a checklist of all the things you want to include in your monthly reset routine. Everyone is different, some months mines are long depending on the season and sometimes it’s shorter.
- Schedule it in: Yes, doing or starting your monthly reset routine on the first day of the month is preferable, but don’t get side tracked if you start the following day or a couple of days after. And no, you don’t need to accomplish everything in one day, a monthly reset can take anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of days to do. Go at the pace that suits you. Quality over quantity, always!
The bottom line
This routine has completely changed how I approach each month. Instead of feeling like time is slipping away, I feel in control, grounded, and excited for what’s ahead.
Of course, the key is to make this routine work for you. Maybe you only do a few of these steps, or add your own personal touches. The goal is to create a monthly reset routine that helps you feel refreshed and ready to take on whatever life (or the month) has in store for you.
Try it out, tweak it as you go, and make it something you actually enjoy!
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