August Is My January

Published July 24, 2025

August: my favorite month to reset

August has always been my favorite month. Maybe it’s the Taylor Swift song (obviously), or perhaps it’s that “back to school” nostalgia that never quite left me, even though I haven’t bought a spiral notebook in years.

To me, August feels like the middle of the year, a quiet checkpoint. Not quite summer, not quite fall. Just the perfect moment to pause, reflect, and figure out how I want to move forward.

This year, I’m using August as a reset. A chance to reground, refocus, and elevate how I’m showing up for myself in my routines, in my mindset, and day-to-day life.

Here are a few things I’m doing to start the month with gratitude and a clear sense of direction.

Start With a Journal (Yes, Even If You Think Journaling Is Boring)

I always begin my reset with journaling. And I get it, journaling can feel boring if you haven’t found your rhythm with it yet. But here’s my trick: get yourself a brand new notebook. It’s like buying a cute new workout set; you suddenly want to show up for it.

Then, take a moment to write down everything you’ve accomplished from January through July. And I mean everything. It doesn’t have to be some huge, life-altering achievement. Perhaps you received a promotion (amazing), or maybe you managed to sit through a five-hour flight despite your fear of flying (also amazing). Perhaps you went to a movie alone for the first time and didn’t feel weird about it. That counts too.

The point is: it’s your journal, your version of progress. Big or small, it deserves space.

Try to fill at least one or two pages. You’ll probably surprise yourself with how much you’ve done.

Next, jot down a few goals for the rest of the month. They don’t have to be massive—this isn’t about becoming a new person overnight. It’s about choosing small, intentional ways to elevate yourself and keep growing into the best version of you. Try your best to keep this journaling thing going for the rest of the year, even if you don’t use it everyday.

Clear the Clutter (Physically and Mentally)

August is a great time to do a little reset, not just in your mind, but in your actual space. Think of it like spring cleaning… but for your mid-year self.

Start with something simple, like your closet or your bathroom drawers. If it’s expired, doesn’t fit, or makes you say “meh,” let it go. You don’t need a dramatic purge, just a little refresh. Even clearing off your nightstand or reorganizing your tote bag can make you feel like you’ve got your life together (even if it’s just an illusion - we’ll take it).

Now for the mental clutter. Take stock of what’s been taking up space in your brain lately. Is it someone else’s expectations? Overthinking things you can’t control? A to-do list that keeps following you around like a stray cat? Write it down, name it, and ask: Do I need to carry this into the rest of my month?

Spoiler: probably not.

This is your permission slip to create space for peace and purpose.

Refresh Your Routine (No Overhaul Necessary)

You don’t need a full-blown lifestyle makeover - just a small shift in your routine can do wonders. Think of it as hitting “refresh,” not “restart.”

Maybe it’s waking up 15 minutes earlier so you can sip your coffee in peace before the chaos begins. Maybe it’s swapping scrolling in bed at night for reading three pages of a book (yes, three pages count). Or maybe it’s taking a walk at lunch instead of eating over your laptop like a stressed-out gremlin.

You don’t need to become a 5 AM, green juice, cold plunge person overnight. Just add one new habit that makes you feel a little more grounded, a little more in control, and a little more like the version of yourself you're working toward.

Sometimes, the tiniest change can shift the vibe of your whole day.

Live for the Hope of It All

Taylor Swift said it best: “to live for the hope of it all.” That line hits different, especially in a month like August, where everything feels like it’s shifting quietly beneath the surface.

Gratitude doesn’t have to be some big, profound declaration. It can be subtle. It can be simple. It can sound like, “I’m glad I made it through today without crying in the work bathroom,” or “This coffee tastes amazing,” or “I felt like myself for a second this morning.”

The small things are the point. Noticing them is the practice.

You don’t have to force it, just make space for it. Write down a few things you’re grateful for, even if they feel too ordinary to mention. Because when life feels messy or uncertain, those little glimmers? They’re what keep you going. They’re the hope of it all.

Set Intentions, Not Just To-Do Lists

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking productivity = purpose. But setting intentions is different - it’s not about what you get done, it’s about how you want to show up.

Ask yourself: How do I want to feel this month? What energy do I want to carry into my relationships, my work, my daily routine? Your intention could be something as simple as “stay present,” “lead with curiosity,” or “stop saying yes to things I hate.”

Write it down somewhere visible. Sticky note on your mirror, a reminder on your phone, the first page of your planner - wherever it’ll nudge you when you need it most.

Intentions help you steer your day with purpose, even when things don’t go as planned. And honestly, they usually don’t. But at least you’ll know which direction you're trying to head in.

A New Month, A Fresh Start

So that’s how I’m starting August: a little reflecting, a little resetting, and a lot more intention. Nothing drastic. Just a quiet commitment to myself to keep showing up, adjusting, and growing.

Here’s to fresh notebooks, gentle routines, and the kind of progress that doesn’t need to be loud to be real.