02/01/2024
It's 2024 ya'll! I wrote earlier in the week that this would be my year of preparations, and creating habits that help me reach the goals to be where I want to be by 40. Here are a few things I am doing today to set the stage.
Here are a few ways to start your year (and each new month) on the right foot.
**Reflect:** Take a moment to look back on the past year. Reflect on your accomplishments, lessons learned, and moments of growth. I personally love handwritten journals, but there are some digital ones that I have been looking at. So far I like Day One and Reflectly to quickly jot down my thoughts. Consider what worked well and what you'd like to improve upon.
**Set Intentions:** Define your aspirations and intentions for the coming year and month. Utilize tools like vision boards, goal-setting journals, or apps like Trello or Todoist to outline your objectives and create a roadmap for achieving them. Clarify what you wish to accomplish and how you plan to get there. I like having a digital vision board. I use the collage templates on Canva and break down boards with different areas of my life. There is a lot to be said though for cutting out pics from magazines and gluing them to a poster board in the livingroom 😊. I also write a letter from my future self journaling the year in recap with my goals and intentions set as though it has already happened. It helps me to get a clear picture of what I really want to see that year, or month.
**Clean Out Your Purse:** Start fresh by decluttering your purse or bag. Today I'm cleaning out my backpack that I take to work every day to see if I can't get down to a smaller purse-style backpack. Dispose of unnecessary receipts, old gum wrappers, and unused items. Consider using pouches or organizers to keep essentials neat and easily accessible. I buy cute little makeup and pencil pouches from Dollar Tree for small little things so I don't have to dig in the bottom of my bag.
**Clean Your Digital Spaces:** Clear digital clutter by organizing files, deleting unused apps, and tidying up your inbox. This year I really want to try Marie Kondo's KonMari method for digital decluttering and I found an app called Unroll.Me to unsubscribe from unwanted emails. I am going through and moving past clients and completed projects into archive and off my desktop and book mark bar so I am starting fresh and don't have to pile on. I'm also deleting apps I am not using (many I downloaded and NEVER used) to clear up space on my phone and work to be a bit more intentional with how I use my phone.
**Clean Your House:** Begin the year with a clean slate by decluttering and organizing your living spaces. If this seems like a huge task (like it does to me) you can do it how I am. Today I'm going to get my general house cleaning done and picked up and every week I'm picking one room to declutter a space. This week I'm starting with my apothecary shelves.
**Fill Your Calendar:** Plan and schedule activities, appointments, and goals for the upcoming month. Use planners or Google Calendar to map out your commitments and set reminders. I went back to a paper calendar on my desk I can look at daily, and I also keep it all on my Google calendar so I don't miss things on the go. Allocate time for self-care, social activities, work-related tasks, and hobbies. This year I am going to really try to use time-blocking to increase my productivity.
**Organize Your Finances:** I hate thinking about money, but like Tony Robbins says, what your focus on expands and improves. One of my big goals this year is money, so it's time to figure out where I am starting to be able to get where I want to be.
Review your financial situation, create a budget, and set financial goals for the month and year. Utilize budgeting apps like Mint or YNAB to track expenses and savings. (I am using and loving RocketMoney so far). Consider consulting a financial advisor or using resources like Investopedia for financial planning guidance.
**Manifest It:** Practice manifestation techniques to visualize your goals and desires. Use techniques like visualization, affirmations, or meditation apps like Headspace or Calm to focus on your intentions and attract positive energy towards achieving your dreams.
Blow cinnamon into your front door on the first of the money to invite wealth and prosperity in, and sage your home to clear out old stale energy and bad juju from the month before.
Embrace this opportunity for growth, renewal, and setting the tone for the journey ahead!
