Looking to create more balance in your routine life? Monthly habits might help! Here are 13 simple things to do every month to set yourself up for wellness, success, and productivity.
I don’t know if you feel the same, but time has been flying fast for me these days.
I’m aware of every passing day and fully in touch with mindfulness, but it’s surprising how quickly the months seem to be passing.
Truth be told, it’s something I don’t mind, because I’ve created my personal monthly rituals that I can do regardless of what time of month it is.
So, no pressure to be productive at the start of the month or to set unrealistic goals that I might end up resetting next month anyway.
Whether you are a routine-oriented person or a free-flowing soul, there are some sweet monthly habits you can benefit from having.
Your mind loves following a pattern, and habits give it a solid ground to stand on.
Even if you are doing certain habits only monthly, they can end up meaning a whole lot for your overall well-being.
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In this post, we’ll look at 13 things you should do every month to create balance in your life.
These are the monthly rituals that have made my life simple and stress-free, and I believe they’ll do the same for you. Read on!
13 Things To Do At Least Once Every Month
1. Brain Dump On A Journal
Just like any regular journaler, I go through phases when I don’t touch my journal for days.
Still, I make sure to never let there be more than 30 days of gap between my two entries.
Even if you’re not big on writing down your thoughts, there is no denying that journaling is the most effective way for brain dumping.
Throughout the month, your brain accumulates many thoughts that need to be sorted.
You could talk to a friend about them or sit down for a quiet self-reflection, but none of that would give you concrete results like journaling.
By creating a long journal entry each month, you can let go of thoughts that have no business being in your mind so that there can be space for more ideas.
So, whether you’re big on journaling or not, make it a habit to journal at least once a month. You can consider it a form of monthly self-therapy.
How to do a brain dump in your journal:
- Create a list of things that are bugging you.
- Give words to the thoughts that are at the top of your mind.
- Be authentic – nobody’s going to judge you on the pages of your journal.
- Use journal prompts to dig out your hidden emotions.
- Doodle some art for stress relief.
- Wrap it up with a gentle self-love note.
2. Cleaning And Organizing
There is no such thing as being too organized or cleaning too often.
You can arrange a cleaning spree every other weekend to keep the space around you clutter-free, but doing it once a month is absolutely mandatory.
A messy personal space impacts your mental space negatively.
I’ve found that if my room is messy, my mind absorbs that energy and I feel disorganized on the inside as well.
The cleaner your surroundings are, the more productive you will be, and the easier it will be for you to go about your daily routine.
Mark your cleaning day in your calendar, and then within the next 30 days, do it again to avoid clutter in your house.
Clean your bathroom, wipe the dust off surfaces, organize your drawers and wardrobe, rearrange your bookshelf, and declutter your workspace.
Don’t miss: How To Organize Your Life In One Week
3. Digital Decluttering
Managing your digital space is just as important as your personal space.
A lot of our work-related tasks are carried out digitally these days. We even depend on our phones and laptops for a lot of socializing.
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that your digital space comprises a good chunk of your world, which is why you need to make sure it’s as neat and organized as possible.
Make it a monthly habit to do digital decluttering, which might include both the online and offline data on your laptop, phone, and tablet.
Get rid of extra files, organize your folders, sort through your email inbox, and run an antivirus scan to keep your devices protected.
As far as your social media space is considered, I’d suggest going through your friend list once and unfollowing the people who you don’t talk to anymore.
There’s no need to fill your notification feed with updates from people who you’re not really friends with anymore.
Unsubscribe from the YouTube channels whose content isn’t relevant to your anymore, and update your music playlists to keep up with the changes in your taste.
4. Read A Book
Reading is a soul-lifting, brain-sharpening, and therapeutic activity that can improve your life drastically, which is why it’s one of the things you should do every month without fail.
Whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, every book has a story to tell, and some messages to teach that you won’t find elsewhere.
A good book will give take you a step forward in your monthly progress, keeping you inspired to make your life more growth-oriented.
On the plus side, it’ll also make you smarter and give your brain some food for thought.
Even if you’re not an avid reader, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t read at all.
One book a month will take your reading score to 12 per year. That’s one more good thing to add to your yearly review.
5. Go Out With Friends
Every person needs a night out with friends to connect to the outer world and come back home with renewed energy.
There really is no replacement for a good company in a lovely setting.
It’s okay if you can’t make it to every social gathering, but don’t let yourself be comfortable in your hideout.
Make sure you’re stepping out at least once a month to catch up with friends and give yourself a much-needed mental break.
Have dinner with your siblings, take your parents out for a nice meal, or hit the club with your bestie on a fun Saturday night.
I bet there are some nice cafes in your town worth checking out with friends or your usual hang-out spot that feels like home. A picnic is an evergreen option for a chill Sunday afternoon.
If no plans are being hatched, you can always be the initiator and pick up a date and venue for your group.
It’s good to recognize your social needs and act upon them instead of waiting for an invitation to come your way.
6. Relax And Recharge Through Self-Care
Everyone deserves a recharge day at least once a month. You can’t expect yourself to be efficient all month long without pausing a day.
And I’m not talking about sleeping in on Sunday or taking a nap in the afternoon. Those are normal things that you should be doing regularly anyway.
But for your monthly recharge day, I want you to go all out on self-care.
Take a long bath with scented candles, play some soft music in the background, and read a light-hearted romance while sipping on some tea.
Roll out a mat in your backyard and soak up some sunlight while eating a juicy fruit, and pamper your skin with a hydrating face mask.
Basically, you need to dedicate a full day to filling up your self-care cup and making yourself happy inside out.
And hey, if you end up scheduling your self-care days every weekend because they just feel so good, bonus points to you for taking charge of your well-being.
Check out: 101 Quick 5-Minute Self-Care Activities For A Refreshing Time
7. Visit The Salon
I’ve realized that my body needs a grooming session every month. When I forgo my visit to the salon for too long, I don’t feel put-together and organized.
Now, I do believe beauty is a feeling that needs to be nurtured from within, but going to the salon just happens to be one of the things that makes me feel beautiful. Might as well add it to the monthly calendar, then.
You can get your hair trimmed, get a mani-pedi, or go for a professional facial for a rosy glow-up.
Get your eyebrows done, treat yourself to a body massage, or go for a hair treatment that you’ve wanted for some time.
You’ll step out of the salon feeling like the beauty queen that you are. It’s a perfect way to glam up your life every month.
8. Explore Nature
This is my favorite item on the list. I love all things related to nature; spending time in a green area is akin to therapy for my soul.
You might already be in constant touch with nature, but there’s a difference between spotting trees on your way to work and spending intentional time in a nature-filled environment.
Every month, you should carve out a chunk of your time for outdoor activites and go explore the greenery around you.
Take a hiking trip, go to a natural retreat, or try camping with your friends.
If nothing else, pour yourself some tea and sit in your backyard with a book.
Listen to the chirping birds, let the breeze touch your skin, and bask in the warmth that only nature can provide you with.
Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.
-Hans Christian Andersen
9. Set Goals
Many of our goals often go unticked because we don’t check in on them regularly.
I’ve started approaching my goals on a monthly basis and it’s been helping me a lot.
You might want to get yourself a journal and dedicate it solely to track your goals and habits.
Every month, sit down in quiet and reflect on your routine before deciding on a few achievable goals.
Write down your goals for the next month in your journal and tick them off every day for the next 30 days.
At the end of your 30-day mark, you can reassess your priorities and decide which goals you want to stick with and which ones you want to let go of for now.
Might help: How To Stay Motivated To Achieve Your Goals – 11 Brilliant Tricks
10. Learn A New Recipe
Full disclosure – I am not a fan of cooking, but I like to waltz into my kitchen once in a while to cook something for my family or a friend.
You might also find me stirring something in the pot when I’m in the mood for a solo date.
I tried learning a new recipe every week, but it just wasn’t happening, so I decided to turn it into a monthly habit.
And guess what? Four months into this new ritual and I am now a proud master of four new recipes.
We all have an inner chef that loves popping out every now and then to get creative in the kitchen.
You can very easily achieve the goal of learning a new recipe a month. That’s 12 new recipes a year!
Youtube and food blogs will come handy for this, and your friend and family can be conviniently used to test out the outcomes of your monthly cooking adventures.
Similar: 30 Classy Yet Affordable Ways To Romanticize Your Life
11. Host A Movie Night
We all need a night dedicated solely to celebrating movies. It’s fun, exhilarating, and relaxing at the same time.
Get some snacks, stock up your refridgerator with fruity drinks, and invite your friends over for a movie marathon. Let the movies be a combination of all-time favorites and new releases.
You can also turn it into a theme-based movie party and watch movies from a particular genre. Horror would be the perfect choice for this.
If none of your friends are available, then turn into a couch potato by yourself and binge-watch the movies of your choice all night long.
Let this count as your fun monthly me-time.
And in case you’re not a fan of turning into a night owl, you can always head over to the cinema to catch the latest release with your friends (or solo).
Grab a big bucket of popcorn and munch your way down it as you enjoy your movie on the big screen.
Related: 17 Insanely Productive Things To Do At Night Before Bed
12. Volunteer
Want to do your part for the wellbeing of the society? You might want to volunteer for a cause at least once a month.
It will give you a feeling of deep gratitude and make you a better person.
Firstly, identify your interests. Do you want work with children, animals, elders, or do something for the environment?
It’s important to start with something that you’re passionate about so that you are fully dedicated to the cause.
Next up, research the local organizations and reach out to them for volunteering opportunities.
Once you start your monthly volunteering, be commited and stay engaged.
You’ll learn some really valuable lessons along the way and come back home feeling content and satisfied with your life.
13. A Therapy Session
I recently watched a movie in which therapy was described as a way for people to solve their life’s problems, in response to which a character asked, “Then, shouldn’t everyone go to a therapist?”
Yes, I think everyone should. You don’t have to see a therapist only when your life hits rock bottom.
We all have some problems, issues, or thoughts that need to be sorted, and a good therapist can help you with that.
When you take therapy regularly, you gain a new perspective to approach your problems, which minimizes your stress and makes it easier to create happiness in your everyday life.
Even if your life is running smoothly at the moment, I encourage you to seek therapy with an open mind just for the sake of discussing your thoughts with a professional.
You’ll be surprised by the wonderful changes this monthly habit will bring to your life.
You can later adjust your number of sessions per month according to your needs.
Must Read: 15 Mental Health Goals For A Happy And Peaceful Life
Do These 13 Things Every Month
There are plenty of things to do every month, but this was my personal checklist of monthly habits that help me stay balanced in all aspects of my life.
Whether you are a go-with-the-flow kind of person or an organized birdie, you’ll love checking off these activities in your monthly to-do list.
Read next: 5 Best Things To Do At The End Of Every Month
You just discovered 13 things to do every month. Was the content helpful? Drop a comment down below to share your thoughts. I’d love to interact with you.
Tracy G says
I have ADHD and routine is something I struggle with so much. I’ve tried so many different things; journals, apps, lists… you name it, I’ve tried it but I’ve been off work for 2 years now and, at a slower than snails pace, things are getting done.
I think your advice to look at thinks on a monthly basis is a great idea and much more do-able than confusing daily lists that never get completed, so today I’m going to sit down and look at things from a monthly perspective and see how it goes.
Many thanks,
Tracy xx
Akansha says
Hi, Tracy. That sounds hard. I understand how troublesome it must be to carry out the routine tasks. It can get quite frustrating when you are trying everything under the sun but nothing is sticking. But your story tells me that as long as you don’t give up, you will find something eventually. So, thank you for reminding me of that.
I am happy that my tips seem helpful to you. I hope you are able to implement some of them to your own life and do better each day.
All my love and regards for you. You are doing great, trust me.