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Embarking on a journey to organize your life is not just about creating to-do lists; it’s about building systems that bring order and simplicity to your daily routine. As we welcome each new month, the opportunity arises to set the stage for a more organized and fulfilling life.
In this blog post, we’ll explore 13 essential lists to make at the start of each month, offering friendly and practical insights into how you can effectively organize various aspects of your life. From setting goals to curating lists for self-care and entertainment, these simple practices can make a significant impact on your overall well-being.
1. Monthly Goals
At the start of every month, one of the most important things to do is to set the goals you want to achieve over the next 30 days. This is a crucial step you need to be doing to achieve the life you have always dreamed of.
I recommend setting aside 30 minutes to do that. Make yourself a nice cup of tea or coffee and sit somewhere quiet.
Write down 1 to 3 things you want to accomplish this month. You can choose to make it personal, work-related, or even home-related.
2. Master to-do list
Once you have set your goals for the month, it’s time to break them down into achievable tasks. To do that, I suggest creating a Master To-Do List. This is basically the central hub for your assignments, deadlines, and priorities.
You can brain dump all your tasks for the month, then sort them by priority or deadline. Try also assigning a goal to each of your to-do items.
3. Reminders
If you have a great memory and can remember everything you need to do over the month, I seriously envy you, and you can probably skip this part! Otherwise, if you are like me and need everything written down, I highly suggest keeping a reminder checklist throughout the month.
Doing that will help you eliminate a big mental load and reduce your stress, so you don’t have to worry about remembering everything. It is life-changing, seriously!
4. Appointments
Ensure you keep track of your appointments in your calendar or with a list on your refrigerator. It will save a lot of time, and you will always know where you need to be and when.
5. Budgeting
The moment I started budgeting my income was the moment I realized I had officially become an adult!
My husband and I like to sit down at the start of each month to discuss our finances by budgeting our incomes, doing our bills, and doing a rundown of the previous month’s expenses.
This is a great solution for staying on top of your savings and ensuring you don’t go over budget for your daily expenses.
6. Meal planning
As much as I love walking around the grocery store, I hate having to go there every couple of days because I forgot to plan my meals for the week. It takes so much time, and it’s also a waste of money because you end up buying too many useless things instead of buying in bulk.
To avoid that, plan your meals at the start of each month. Think about the dishes you like to eat or any new recipe you want to try. Developing a habit like this one not only saves you time but helps you make healthier changes to your day-to-day life.
7. Shopping list
I recommend keeping a shopping list either on your phone or in a small planner that you carry with you when you go outside.
When it comes to shopping lists, you can keep it straight to the point with a simple list, or you can go the extra mile and divide it into different categories like groceries, self-care products, clothing, office supplies, etc.
8. Home inventory
One of the best hacks for keeping an organized home is to have an inventory list that you update at the beginning of the month. It is super helpful and handy, especially for grocery shopping.
You can make an inventory of the pantry, the fridge, and the freezer. Just make sure you update this list at the start of each month (or more frequently if you wish), and it will help you tremendously keep your home organized.
9. Chores
Nobody likes coming home to a messy space, right? To avoid that, simply keep a list of chores to complete every day.
Organize your chores depending on how often they need to be done. Daily chores can be things like dishes, making the bed, or cooking. Whereas weekly chores can include mopping the floors, scrubbing the toilet, or doing laundry.
This way, you will avoid feeling overwhelmed, and you will always return to a clean and pleasant house.
10. Organization projects
On the first of each month, make a list of two or three organizational projects you want to accomplish. It could be decluttering your living space, organizing your closet, doing a digital cleanup, or optimizing your workspace.
Prioritizing organization will help you reduce stress, save you time, and create a more conducive atmosphere for creativity and focus.
11. Books and TV shows
I love making a list of books and TV shows for the month. I pick out a few books I’ve been eager to read and TV shows I’m excited to watch. This list becomes my go-to source for relaxation and inspiration.
12. Self-care list
One of my favorite lists to make at the beginning of the month is a Self-care List. Prioritizing self-care through a dedicated list calls forth numerous benefits for mental and physical well-being.
I have recently implemented what I call “Self-care Saturday”. I dedicate that day of the week to my pampering rituals, including a spa day, my extensive skincare routine, and hair care. I also like to do a digital detox to reduce screen time and develop a healthier relationship with technology.
Doing these mindful practices at least once a month contributes to reduced stress, improved focus, and improved overall well-being.
13. Affirmations
Another thing you should be doing at the start of each month is making an Affirmation list. It’s like creating a list of daily positive messages for yourself.
Start by setting your intention for this new month. Take a moment to think about what’s important for you right now. Make it something specific, like being more patient or more resilient. This intention will be the basis of your affirmations and will help you make decisions that align with it.
Write a list of affirmations for different parts of your life, like personal growth, work, and health. Every morning, take a moment to say these positive statements out loud.
Conclusion
In conclusion, think of these lists as your buddies for a more organized and happier life. They’re not about making life harder but more like setting up simple plans that suit you. Whether you’re jotting down goals, budgeting, or just planning meals, it’s like making life a bit more straightforward. So, let’s embrace the start of each month as a chance to make life a bit more organized, a bit more joyful, and a lot more fun!
If you want to upgrade your life, check out these 11 Easy Steps to Reinvent Yourself in 6 Months.
[…] If you’re looking for other tips and tricks to organize your life, check out these 13 lists you MUST write at the beggining of each month. […]