Meaningful Living

6 Meaningful Things To Do At The Beginning Of Every Month

August 2, 2018 /

Apart from sending ‘Happy New Month’ messages all over WhatsApp, the beginning of every month is that time we ought to carefully plan activities as it concerns our wellbeing. It is the perfect time to look back at how things panned out the previous month, make necessary adjustments and of course work towards living a meaningful life.

If you have the same experience as I do, then you have probably realised how fast the first week in a month goes by.

Somehow, I have been able to inculcate these 6 Meaningful Things into my monthly action item and even though August is my least favourite month, this is how I will be starting mine. If you do not have monthly action items, here are six meaningful things you can do at the beginning of every month:

1. Count Your Blessings.

Personally, I love to start my day by counting my blessing. This just means starting my day with gratitude and so at the beginning of every month, I am always super grateful and I find time to reflect on how much goodness in present in my life.

The beginning of every month is a good time to count your blessings and these blessing are so easy to identify-

  • Are you still alive?
  • Do you still have a job?
  • Did you just secure a contract?
  • Did you get engaged or married?
  • Do you have beautiful friendships to celebrate?
  • Is your birthday coming up?

All these and more count as blessings so go ahead and acknowledge them at the beginning of every month.

Read: Jar Filled With Gratitude

2. Write Your Monthly Goals

You know how we all keep hearing ‘write out what you need to do on paper’, I agree with that. Writing out your goals help you see at first glance all the things that need to be done.

One of the ways to ensure you are not overwhelmed by your goals is breaking them into smaller units. Write out your goals at the beginning of every month and break them into weekly or daily to-do’s

Read: Guarding Our Goals

3. Budget

It was pay day a couple of days ago and I bet some of us already made purchases mentally before the money even hit our account.

While it is good to have an idea of what you want to do with your money, it is important that these plans are made intentionally. Budgeting is a good way to start a new month as it helps you spend only on those items that you absolutely need. Write out what utility bills need to be sorted, think about what subscription to forego etc

Like the finance guru’s will say, save before spending. Budgeting helps you do that easily.

4. Declutter

What comes to mind when you hear declutter?

Some people may think clearing up the wardrobe, others may think clearing up the pantry. Whatever comes to mind first, it is important to clean up your space and I will like to think that the best time for this is at the beginning of every month.

Clear up your wardrobe, your vanity mirror top, the garage, the kitchen, your desktop, your apps, unsolicited messages, office table, close open items and detach from people who drain you. Create space for new things and meaningful friendships, give out things you do not need or haven’t used in a long time.

If you are a serial hoarder and you declutter every month, you will have a really clear space by the end of the year.

Read: 5 Quick And Easy Goals You Can Be Decisive About

5. Schedule Your Selfcare Activity

It is important to think about doing something for yourself at the beginning of every month. This is because, we get so busy with work, responsibilities and other daily activities that we sometimes forget we need a little ‘taking care of’ as well.

To ensure you are not forgetting to give yourself a treat, plan something for yourself every month. Find out what ‘self care‘ means to you and indulge in it. Do something for yourself:

  • Book a spa date
  • Register for course
  • Plan a short trip
  • Read a book
  • Take some time off work to rest
  • Visit interesting places

6. Plan To Volunteer

Just as you plan for yourself, it is important to help other people as well. If you do not already have plans to help people you know personally, volunteering gives you an opportunity to render humanitarian services to people who need assistance.

This has become my personal favourite and it is always a fulfilling experience when you see how much happiness you bring into someone’s life just by helping them.

Share your thoughts in the comment section below:

Are there things you always do at the beginning of every month?

I will love to read from you.

Evolving

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37 Comments

  • whenparkspeaks

    August 7, 2018 at 2:13 pm Reply

    Love your ideas, scheduling I find is important because it is so easy to let things slide, whether it be self care or important goals, they all need a space on the calendar.

  • ellenbest24

    September 29, 2018 at 7:12 pm Reply

    Very good Ideas that many can learn from. I make space and schedual family visits. Dedicate a day where I afford them my time, so no one is missed out or feels neglected. Time is a prescious commodity not to be squandered on things that are not time bound. Our sisters or children mothers and friends are a few who need to feel wanted.

  • The Passive 100

    November 1, 2018 at 3:47 pm Reply

    I love writing out my monthly goals! It’s one of my favorite things. Also taking into account what my previous monthly goals were and seeing what I was successful at and what I need to continue to work on.

  • Kris

    November 1, 2018 at 3:56 pm Reply

    What a wonderful way to start the month. Counting your blessing every morning is a great way to keep focused and positive.

  • Zena T.

    November 1, 2018 at 4:17 pm Reply

    This is a great list. Every thing you listed is definitely something we should all do. I am finding in my personal life that self care is so important. I am one who tends to care for others around me more than myself. I wish that I could volunteer more.

  • Stefani

    November 1, 2018 at 5:30 pm Reply

    Love this! I think writing our goals each month are so important for growth. One thing I’m going to start doing is planning my self care activity! I never spend time on myself and it’s time I do! Thanks for the tips!

  • Kate

    November 2, 2018 at 5:14 am Reply

    I love the variety of this list. Typically I don’t think that far ahead when it comes to monthly goals, and if I do make a list, I have a tendency to only include things related to writing/blogging. But you made me realize an important point which is that we shouldn’t be so blinded by one aspect of our lives (in my case, blogging goals) that we neglect self-care, relationships, and giving to others. Thank you for an enriching post!

  • Clare Kennedy

    January 3, 2019 at 7:22 pm Reply

    wow, i am all about the self care (going to book my salon hair apt right after this! i also love the first point. i have many beautiful relationships to celebrate. i am so lucky and so blessed! take care love and cupcakes!!

    • Phaytea

      January 4, 2019 at 11:38 am Reply

      Awww… I am glad you feel this way about your relationships…. it’s definitely a blessing. Thank you for sharing Clare❤️

  • remnirschl

    April 1, 2019 at 6:32 pm Reply

    I need to work on #2 monthly goals and #6 volunteer. I’d love to do more of that! Thanks for the post.

  • Vox

    April 3, 2019 at 10:31 am Reply

    I love your ideas for starting off the month with intention and gratitude. What we have JUST started implementing is quarterly planning. —Last year, we created our very first vision board; this year, we created a content calendar for the whole year and then broke that up into quarters. It was a shock to me that a quarter of the year is over already and that it is time to plan for quarter two! —Even though I barely feel prepared to, the time has come to move on into it with intention (and by using all the strategies you mentioned in this post). Thanks for reminding us how important to not just wander through life, but to be more mindful throughout.

    • Phaytea

      April 3, 2019 at 2:05 pm Reply

      I’m glad you like this reminder. Second quarter already and time isn’t waiting for anyone. We definitely have to be intentional about the things we do. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts

  • Domonique Russell

    April 9, 2019 at 8:25 pm Reply

    I love the declutter! I just recently went through my closet and gave away clothes that I barely wear! Also your points are right on I have bee doing all of thee above since January.

  • minione15

    July 6, 2019 at 12:57 pm Reply

    Excellent post. All six items are easy to implement and would reduce stress throughout the month. I like the de-cluttering, goal setting, and volunteering in particular.

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