When trying to keep your life organised and balanced, having a set routine of things you always do at the beginning of each month is so essential. Establishing a monthly routine can help you maintain a sense of structure and stability, allowing you to approach each new month with a clear plan and purpose.

It also elevates stress because you know you aren’t forgetting or putting off those little but important tasks. Everybody will have different things they add to their list depending on their lifestyle. However, I thought I would share a few ideas to help get you started…

Looking backwards

Ok, so often in life we are told to look forwards and not back. However, when it comes to keeping organised and having a well-balanced life, sometimes we do need to look backwards. Reflecting on the past can provide valuable lessons and insights that can help us make better decisions in the future. It’s important to acknowledge our past experiences, both positive and negative, in order to learn and grow.

Taking the time to review past actions and outcomes can lead to personal and professional development. Remember, looking back doesn’t mean dwelling on the past, but rather using it as a tool for self-improvement and advancement. Here are some important tasks you should consider incorporating into your reflective practice:

Reflect on the previous months achievements and challenges

Achievements and challenges are a huge part of our lives. Nothing is ever easy, or so it seems, but when you achieve something, you want to take the time to celebrate it. By looking back and reflecting, you are celebrating those wins, no matter how small. That will always give you a mental boost and therefore start the next month off on a high. Reflecting on your achievements also provides an opportunity to recognise the effort and dedication it took to reach those milestones. It’s a chance to remind yourself of the progress made and the lessons learned along the way.

Taking the time to acknowledge and celebrate your achievements can be a source of motivation for future endeavors, instilling confidence and determination to tackle new challenges. It serves as a reminder of your capabilities and resilience, helping you approach the upcoming month with a positive and empowered mindset.

But we can’t forget those challenges. By reflecting on those too, we are able to maybe think about how you can do it differently so that those challenges become more achievable. It’s important to deeply analyse the nature of these challenges and understand their underlying causes. This understanding can then lead us to develop new strategies and approaches that can effectively tackle these obstacles.

Additionally, learning from past experiences can provide valuable insights and lessons that can be applied to future endeavors, ultimately increasing the likelihood of success. Furthermore, seeking support and guidance from others who have overcome similar challenges can offer a wealth of knowledge and practical advice, enriching our own problem-solving capabilities. Embracing challenges as opportunities for growth and improvement is a mindset that can empower us to confront them with resilience and determination.

Review your goals & set new ones

I have spoken about this so many times on this blog. It’s important that you review your goals throughout the year. So many people set them at the start and then have forgotten about them by Spring. By reviewing your goals often, you can then set mini, more achievable goals to get you where you want to be. You might even find that goals you set a couple of months ago are no longer relevant to your life. It then frees you up to think up a new goal that is. It’s essential to understand that goal setting is a continuous process, not a one-time event.

Regularly revisiting and refining your goals helps to ensure that they remain aligned with your evolving aspirations and circumstances. Additionally, by breaking down your long-term goals into smaller, manageable objectives, you can maintain a sense of progress and momentum throughout the year. This approach also allows for greater flexibility, empowering you to adapt to changes in your life and priorities. Remember, the journey towards achieving your goals is dynamic, and it’s perfectly normal for your aspirations to shift over time. Embracing this fluidity enables you to cultivate a more responsive and fulfilling goal-setting practice.

Review your finances

Ok, so this is about both looking backwards and forwards but hear me out. Firstly, look back at the previous month in terms of your finances. By doing this, you can see where you are overspending or wasting money as well as where you have got it just right. You might find that you haven’t used a subscription service that you have been paying for. It’s then up to you whether you feel you want to make more of a conscious effort to use the service or instead cancel your subscription. Taking stock of your expenses can also help you identify any unnecessary recurring charges, such as unused gym memberships or forgotten online subscriptions.

Additionally, reflecting on your financial decisions from the past month can provide valuable insights into your spending habits, allowing you to make informed adjustments for the future. By gaining a clear understanding of your financial behaviors, you can take proactive steps to achieve greater financial stability and make more deliberate choices with your money.

If you have any “spare” money left over from the previous month, this is the perfect time to transfer it to your savings. It’s like having a little bonus that you didn’t think you would have. By allocating these extra funds to your savings, you’ll be taking a proactive step towards building a financial safety net for the future. This can provide peace of mind and help you reach your long-term financial goals.

Additionally, setting aside a portion of unexpected additional income demonstrates a disciplined approach to managing your finances, which can have a positive impact on your overall financial well-being.

Looking forward, it’s important to have a clear view of upcoming commitments and obligations. Taking a proactive approach to the month ahead can help in preparing for various events, such as milestone birthdays, special occasions, and significant deadlines. It’s also essential to consider any financial commitments, like utility bills or subscription renewals, in order to avoid unexpected expenses later on. By meticulously planning and organising these aspects, you can effectively manage your time, resources, and finances, ensuring a smoother and more controlled month.

Looking forwards

Set a budget

Whilst you are reviewing your finances, it is also the perfect opportunity to set a budget for the month. Those hidden surprises you have thought about can then be allocated within your budget alongside other bills to make sure all the important things are covered.

Consider breaking down your expenses into categories such as groceries, transportation, entertainment, and savings. By doing so, you can gain a clearer understanding of where your money is going and identify areas where you might be able to cut back or save.

Additionally, creating a budget allows you to prioritise your spending and set specific limits, helping you to avoid unnecessary splurges and build a healthier financial future.

Plan your meals

Meal planning is not only a great way to save money and reduce food waste, but it also allows for a more organized and enjoyable cooking experience. By taking the time to sit down at the beginning of each month and plan out the meals, one can not only take stock of the ingredients already available but also consider any leftover items that need to be used up. This thoughtful approach to meal planning allows for a more creative use of ingredients and enables the incorporation of those items that might otherwise go to waste.

Additionally, with a well-structured meal plan in place, the weekly food shopping becomes more efficient as it is aligned with the pre-planned meals, ultimately saving valuable time and reducing the stress of last-minute meal decisions.

Clean out your fridge

Sticking with meals, we all know the kind of nasty we can find hidden at the back of the fridge that we’ve forgotten about. Setting a routine to regularly clean out your fridge can prevent this and what better way to do it than when you meal plan. You could also check dates on food stored in cupboards too.

Additionally, consider organising your fridge by food categories to make it easier to locate items and avoid clutter. Another tip is to invest in quality storage containers to keep your food fresh for longer periods.

Moreover, taking inventory of your fridge and pantry before grocery shopping can help reduce food waste and save money. Lastly, consider labeling leftovers and dated items to ensure you consume them before they go bad.

Declutter and organise your living space

Now, I’m not talking about doing the whole of your home, because that will no doubt take ages. However, pick one or two locations, such as your junk drawer, the area just inside your front door, or even your pantry and linen closet. If you pick a different area each month, it will make it much more manageable and less overwhelming. By focusing on specific spaces, you can gradually work towards creating a more organised and clutter-free environment throughout your home.

If you’re not sure what to do with the things you’re getting rid of, I’ve written a post all about how to declutter sustainably, providing helpful tips on recycling, upcycling, and donating items to minimise waste and make a positive impact on the environment.

Don’t forget the digital clutter

Living in such a modern world, most of us have a lot of digital clutter to contend with. Our smartphones and computers are filled to the brim with files, photos, and documents that we may no longer need. Taking the time to engage in a digital declutter can be incredibly freeing and beneficial for our mental well-being. It allows us to create space for the things that truly matter, while also reducing the sense of overwhelm that can come from being surrounded by digital chaos.

In addition to deleting unnecessary files and organising folders, it’s important to also consider the digital habits that contribute to clutter, such as excessive downloading or saving of files. By adopting mindful digital practices and periodically decluttering our devices, we can create a more peaceful and efficient digital environment for ourselves.
Moreover, clearing out our inboxes, removing redundant screenshots, and tidying up our photo galleries can have a profound impact on our sense of digital organisation and clarity. It’s amazing how much lighter we can feel simply by streamlining our digital spaces and making room for what truly matters.

Set reminders for important dates and activities

Our lives are indeed filled with numerous responsibilities and commitments, making it inevitable that we may overlook certain important events or tasks. Setting reminders at the onset of each month can prove to be a valuable strategy in ensuring that we stay on top of our schedules and do not miss out on significant engagements. By proactively scheduling reminders, we can effectively manage various appointments, such as medical check-ups or consultations, and plan ahead for special occasions like birthdays and enjoyable outings with loved ones. Embracing this proactive approach contributes to a more organised and balanced lifestyle.

Schedule any upcoming appointments or events

Sticking along the lines of important dates, now is the perfect time to sit down and book in all those much needed appointments and events. Maybe you have been meaning to have that beauty appointment. Or it’s been a while since date night. Book those into your schedule and then they are set in stone. Otherwise you will just keep putting them off. It’s essential to prioritise self-care appointments such as a refreshing spa day, a much-needed haircut, or a rejuvenating massage to recharge and feel your best.

Plan a fun activity

What is life without a bit of fun? When life gets overwhelming and packed with tasks, it’s easy to overlook the necessity of incorporating enjoyable activities into our routines. However, making time for fun is crucial for mental and emotional well-being.

Consider planning a special outing to an attraction or event that you’ve been longing to visit for some time. Take the initiative to schedule it in advance, and explore the possibility of obtaining discounted rates by purchasing tickets ahead of time. By doing so, you’ll have something exciting to anticipate and cherish, contributing positively to your overall quality of life.

Choose a book

So many of us have books that we want to read but never seem to find the time for. It’s a common challenge to carve out dedicated time for reading amid busy schedules and numerous distractions. One approach that has worked for many avid readers is setting aside specific books to focus on at the beginning of each month. By choosing one or two books as part of a monthly reading plan, you establish a clear intention to prioritise reading. This intentional selection can help create a sense of commitment and anticipation, making it more likely that you will engage with the chosen books regularly.

Throughout the month, you can enjoy the process of gradually delving into the selected titles, reading a chapter here and there, and savoring the narrative at a pace that suits your schedule. As a result, what may have initially felt like an overwhelming task transforms into a manageable and enjoyable journey, culminating in the satisfaction of completing the chosen books by the end of the month.

Final thoughts

I hope you have enjoyed this post and found these monthly routine ideas helpful. Having things that you do each month is a great way of effectively living a more balanced life. From setting aside time for self-care activities such as reading a new book, taking a long bath, or going for a nature walk, to organising your living or work space, establishing a monthly routine can bring about a sense of structure and productivity. It’s an opportunity to reflect on your goals and aspirations, fine-tune your daily habits, and ensure that you are nurturing various aspects of your life.

I’d love to know what you do each month to set you up for the coming weeks. Let’s share our strategies and inspire each other to create fulfilling and purposeful monthly routines.