As each month comes to a close, I’m always look forward and planning for the next one. As someone who is a hugely organised person, I can’t just roll into the next month with a “whatever happens, happens” attitude. Combine a Virgo with anxiety and a Type A personality and you get me. But I think it’s good to go into the new month with some level of control and organization. Which is why I wanted to share some things to do at the beginning of every month today.
I like to go into a new month with a clear head and a positive an attitude as possible. Whatever has happened in the previous 30 days is history. It’s in the past and it can’t be changed. And I know it’s only psychological but I really do get that “fresh start” sense at the start of a new month.
As someone who suffers with a lot of low moods and depression, this new start feeling really helps me recalibrate how I’m feeling and helps me let go of things that might not have been serving me in the previous month.
But I also think it’s worth remembering that not all months will be the same and your things to do at the beginning of every month may vary and that’s okay. Most months I like to dedicate time to doing an end of the month intention setting ritual but other times, it just doesn’t feel right to do so. So I accept that and don’t judge myself for it.
What better time to set yourself up for a productive month? Here are some things to do at the beginning of every month:
Reflect on the previous month
One of the best things to do at the beginning of every month is reflection. This is something that we all do in our own individual ways, I think. But it’s still a handy thing to take some time to do at the start of the month so you can work out if you’re living your life the way you want to be. A few questions you can ask yourself are:
- What made me happy during the previous month?
- Was there anything that made me unhappy?
- How did I feel mentally, physically and emotionally throughout the previous month?
- Is there anything I regret from the previous month?
- What do I wish I dedicated more time to doing?
You may wish to make use of some journal prompts if journaling and free-writing doesn’t come easy to you. It’s important that you don’t judge yourself for anything that might come up when answering these questions.
Answer them from the point of view of an outside and an observer of the situation, rather than getting too emotionally attached to your answers.
Write your goals for the month
You know me, I love a goal. And I rarely go a month without setting some sort of goal. When it comes to monthly goals, I like to categorize and keep them achievable. Splitting your goals into “work”, “finance”, “health”, or whatever areas of life you’re focusing on, is a good way to not get too overwhelmed.
But remember that goals are never set in stone and can ALWAYS be changed – yes, even mid-way through a month – if they’re not working for you. Here are some more truth bombs about goal setting you need to read!
Do an intention setting ritual
An intention setting ritual is one of my favourite ways to mark the end of a month. The wonderful thing about them is that they’re completely unique to you.
An intention setting ritual can consist of things like journaling, Yoga practices or movement, candle gazing, meditation and much more. It’s about finding a wonderful combination of things which make up a beautiful spiritual ritual to you.
Want your own End of the Month ritual guide? Sign up to my mailing list for access to your free guide in my freebie library!
Clear out your purse and your bag
Who else’s purse is overrun with old receipts and rubbish? Mine definitely gets like that occasionally so to stay on top of it, it’s one of the easiest things to do at the beginning of every month.
If you don’t know what to do with all those old receipts, try downloading Shoppix – an app that pays you to upload your receipts! I’ve had a few £5 payouts from Shoppix which, although it’s not a lot, is a nice little extra for well, doing nothing extra!
Organize your finances
Which brings me on nicely to my next point and that’s finances. Ugh.
Again, something else that we probably all do in our own individual ways and have our own systems for, so I won’t suggest exactly HOW to organize your finances, just to make sure you do.
Figure out what’s coming out of your account that month, any payments you know you have to make and budget for any unexpected outgoings as well. Budgeting can also help you save money for the future.
All of this is especially important if you are running a business, as a negative balance can cost you a great deal in fees! Happily, you can use online software like Xero to help make your business finances much quicker and easier to complete.
You can even get some amazing one-to-one Xero training courses either via Zoom or in-person to help you get the most from the software or move your account from another provider seamlessly.
Manifest, manifest, manifest
I know this isn’t something everyone understands or believes in – that’s fine, each to our own. If this woo stuff isn’t for you, feel free to skip this bit!
The beginning of a new month is the PERFECT time to think about what you really want. Is it a promotion? A certain amount of money? Inspiration for a new business idea? Whatever it is, now is the time to start manifesting. And try and take action every single day of the month to make it happen.
If you do want to give this a go, I’d recommend starting with the below:
- Write down what you want to manifest using the scripting method. Get very specific and read your manifestation aloud
- Identify some positive affirmations which will serve your manifestation. For example, if you want to manifest money, then repeat the affirmation, “Money comes to me freely and easily” every day
- Spend time visualizing how you’ll feel when you receive what you’re trying to manifest
- Have a grateful heart. Express gratitude every single day for what you already have in your life.
Delete unused apps, photos and documents
A digital clean is always worth doing at the start of each month because we can built up a lot of digital rubbish over the course of just 30 days! Delete those apps that you downloaded and used once. Delete any photos you no longer want or need or serve no purpose. Even your Facebook friends, if you feel like it!
Have a deep clean and de-clutter
Whether it’s your bedroom, kitchen cupboards, desk or entire house, the start of the month is a great time to have a de-clutter and a good ol’ clean. If you struggle to de-clutter, check out my room by room guide to de-cluttering made easy to help you know what to throw away!
And if you struggle with de-cluttering, then you might want to read this post about valid reasons to remove clutter from your life.
Update your diary for the month ahead
Getting your diary filled in is a great way to feel more organized before the month even begins. Add in all those birthdays, appointments, days out or work meetings that you might have coming up. If you want to go one step further, using a colour coding system!
I recently bought a new diary from Papier, which I absolutely love. It has a beautiful design and un-dated pages for you to start whenever you like. It has space for meal prep, habit tracking, daily to-do’s and more!
If you fancy £15 off your first order, shop Papier planners here! (referral link)
Buy things for any upcoming occasions
I think it’s safe to say that we’ve all forgotten someone’s birthday. Or forgotten that Susan from work was leaving and didn’t buy her a card. At start of the month is a great time to get all those things out of the way early. Stock up on the birthday cards, do a bit of shopping for any occasions that might be coming up.
Do a good deed
I donate to charity on the 1st of every month. It’s one of my favourite things to do at the beginning of every month because I know I’ve done some good. It doesn’t have to be a lot of money either; just £10 or £20 is amazing!
But if you really don’t have the cash to spare, that’s not the only way you can start your month with a good deed. Offer to help your neighbour with something, write a personalized note for a friend, cook dinner for a loved one.
Having a positive start to the month can have such a wonderful effect on the whole month ahead of you. Starting with gratitude and productivity, making sure you have things in order before the calendar flips and doing things from a place of kindness to yourself and others is a great way to get yourself off on a good foot.
These are all very simple things to do at the beginning of every month but they make a great deal of difference when you do them consistently!