5 New Habits To Start This Month For A Refreshing Time

Add these 5 refreshing habits to your monthly routine to make your days more balanced, joyful, and intentional.

When we talk about setting monthly goals, productivity and fitness are the top areas of life that people set out to improve before the end of the month.

I’ve spent all my months this year dedicating my time and spirit toward my career goals and working on my workout routines.

And even though I am a wellness blogger, my self-care needs somehow ended up taking the backbench in my monthly plans.

Don’t get me wrong. I do my best when it comes to prioritizing my happiness needs on a daily basis.

However, my monthly goals tend to forgo this important aspect of my well-being, which then leads to burnout and a mental spiral that can take a long time to recover from.

So, after a really long time, I decided to shift my monthly focus from my productivity demands and introduced some refreshing habits to my monthly plan.

I spent the last month keeping track of these new habits and holding myself accountable for sticking to them every day, and I just have one thing to say:

Introducing the right habits at the right time can really, really change your life.

A month ago, I was struggling with my food habits, feeling too tired to keep up with my workout regime, and not really enjoying my work the way I usually do.

And just about a week into these habits, things slowly started lifting up, and I’ve emerged on the other end of time as a better, happier, and more balanced soul. 🙂

If you’re ready to discover the simple acts that helped me step into this positive zone, read on.

5 Refreshing Habits To Start This Month

1. An Artistic Morning Ritual

In the past, I’ve tried to be regular with my artistic practices, but couldn’t get myself to commit seriously.

But this time, I decided to add some artistic rituals to my morning routine and was finally able to make this habit stick.

Every morning that I spend time doodling or strumming my guitar, I am reminded that my life is a canvas, and I have the choice to paint it however I want to.

Instead of rushing through your mornings, pause for a moment and engage in activities that nourish your artistic spirit.

Sit down with a sketchbook and pour your thoughts onto the paper by drawing or doodling.

Even though I am not the best at drawing stuff, there are doodles littered all over my journal.

But if the idea of drawing doesn’t float your boat, you can play an instrument, listen to your favorite compositions, or dance to a happy song before hopping into your shower.

If you like writing in secret, then begin your mornings by penning down something. It doesn’t have to be long or perfect. Pen down a few lines of poetry or work on the character arcs for a story in your head.

The act of creating something from scratch can be your catharsis, making it easier for you to process your emotions and face them instead of fearing them.

Enjoy a few messy lines from my morning journal:

Love is true, that might be false

But I hold Nebula in my palms

I am dust, I know beauty has no form.

 

2. Joyful Internet Surfing

I spend most of my Internet time working on this blog, doing work-related research, and keeping tabs on my favorite celebrities (it’s a guilty pleasure, don’t sue me.)

But once in a blue moon, I’d look for happy content on Google and YouTube (like standups and funny articles on life) and it’d feel like being injected with a shot of pure joy.

So, as a monthly goal, I promised myself to actively consume more ‘happy content’, and it made my relationship with the Internet ten times better.

It’s amazing how we have the option to open a separate tab and type ‘reasons to be happy’ just to get reminded of the beauty of life, yet most of us never do any such thing.

I know social media is consuming, and your work probably needs you to type on your computer for hours every day.

But it doesn’t take a lot to step away from all this for a few minutes and use the Internet to fill up your cup of joy.

Here are some recommendations for joyful internet surfing:

• Funny scenes from your favorite sitcoms
• Happy songs
• Blog articles on self-care and self-love
• Fun podcasts
• Destination vlogs of places you want to visit

Interested in raising your joy meter? Try: 7-Day Happiness Challenge To Lift Your Spirits

3. Stick New Affirmations On Your Mirror

Even though writing down affirmations in your journal can be very empowering, I’ve realized it doesn’t really help me remember all the reasons why I am a Wonder Woman.

The moment you tuck away my journal and come back to your life, the motivational words that you wrote down just seconds ago might slip past your mind.

But what’s the one thing other than your journal that you use to see your reflection all the freaking time?

Mirror is the right answer, thank you.

Since you’re probably already under a habit of constantly checking yourself out in your mirror (as you should, you pretty thing), why not use its shiny surface to stick some positive affirmations?

Before getting started with your daily chores, scribble down a few encouraging words on a colorful sticky note and put it on your mirror.

Add a new affirmation to it every morning. Let the surface get littered with colorful reminders telling you that you are amazing and beautiful.

By the end of the month, the mirror will become your best friend, and you’ll have a secret habit in your routine that will help you love yourself even on your hard days.

4. 10 Minutes Of Wisdom Session

I have a horrible tendency to take things personally. It sucks and I don’t like it a bit.

I knew I wanted to ease myself out of this habit, so I started carving 10 minutes from my routine where I’d just reflect on this.

I wrote journal entries, read excerpts from self-help books, looked up articles, and made myself reflect back on any recent moments when I’d caught myself getting offended and taking things personally.

With every wisdom session, it got easier for me to avoid reading too much into other people’s words and actions.

I liked this habit so much that I decided to make it an intentional part of my routine. My wisdom topics now range from ‘being kinder and less angry’ to ‘body neutrality.’

Please take me seriously when I say that this can be really, really helpful.

You get a chance to tackle your disruptive emotions and break out of negative patterns that have been ruling your life so far.

Each day that you indulge in this habit, you’ll find yourself growing wiser and becoming a better person.

Before sitting down for your wisdom session, pick a topic from your life you want to understand better, and then do any of the following to reflect back on it.

Simple ways to conduct your mindful sessions on a topic:

• Create a contemplative journal entry.
• Look up inspiring quotes.
• Read a blog article.
• Record yourself talking about the topic.

Ask yourself questions on your chosen topic, ponder its impact on your life, and help yourself get to a more positive mindset regarding it.

As you conclude your session, think about how you can apply the wisdom you’ve gained to your daily life. Set an intention or takeaway and use it as a practical reminder throughout the day.

Before diving into your wisdom session, it’s helpful to spend a few minutes on meditation. Words like a charm to unclog your mind and keep you open to new ideas during your reflections.

Ultimately, the goal of a wisdom session is not to rush through it but to genuinely reflect and gain insights.

Over time, this practice can lead to tremendous personal growth and a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you.

5. A Screen-Free Bedtime Routine

I know it’s tempting to spend your bedtime tapping away on your digital screens, but at the same time, it’s no secret that this habit is harmful to your sleep.

Your mind needs to unwind and relax at the end of the day, and unfortunately, exposing your eyes to the bright screens and more information doesn’t really scream bedtime coziness.

If you want to ensure a restful night’s sleep and improve your overall well-being, establish a screen-free bedtime routine.

The key is to create a wind-down period before bed, typically 30 minutes to an hour, where screens are off-limits.

Instead of grabbing your phone when you slide into your bed, opt for calming activities like reading a paperback, deep breathing, or writing in your journal.

Create a comfortable sleep environment by dimming the lights, turning on a humidifier, and covering your eyes.

This downtime will signal to your body that it’s time to relax and prepare for sleep.

It might take a bit of adjustment to get yourself to ditch your phone before bedtime, but the benefits of a screen-free night routine are well worth the effort.

Dedicate This Month To Self-Care And Growth

Okay, time for a quick rewind.

Here are 5 new habits you can start this month to hit the refresh button on life:

• Indulge in an artistic morning ritual.
• Do some joyful internet surfing.
• Stick daily affirmations on your mirror.
• Give 10 minutes to a wisdom session.
• Create a screen-free bedtime routine.

To help yourself stay committed to these habits the whole month, share your intentions with a friend who can hold you accountable.

Sometimes, having that external support can be really motivating.

Read next: 10 Important Things To Do At The Beginning Of Every Month

You just discovered 5 new habits to start this month. Any thoughts or suggestions on the topic that you’d like to leave for me? Leave a few words in the comment box. I’m always happy to hear from you.