2020 will be the year that divides all our lives into “before” and “after.” What do you want your life to look like, post-pandemic? How do you start a fresh chapter of your life? Let’s talk about seven ways you can reset your life, find mental peace and clarity, and get on the right track so you can live your best life when things get back to normal.
Photo by Priscilla du Preez on Unsplash
Cleanse your space.
- Make it fun. Throw your windows wide open; let in the sunshine and fresh air so your room smells like a new beginning. Put on your favorite music, and turn it up loud.
- Start with a serious declutter. Be ruthless! Donate clothes that don’t fit and books you don’t read. Get rid of anything you don’t use or need anymore.
- Deep clean everything: your house, your car, your closets, your bathroom, your yard. Change your bedsheets and pillowcases. Dust your furniture. Sweep the floors clean.
Surround yourself with things you love.
- Decorate your new space with color and light and life: fresh flowers, houseplants, succulents, crystals, comfy pillows, a cozy blanket.
- Find your favorite scents: essential oils, candles, air fresheners.
- Bring in your favorite colors. Hang some wall art or a tapestry. Put up twinkly lights.
Photo by Priscilla du Preez on Unsplash
Become a digital minimalist.
To start your life reset in the digital sphere, check out my previous article on how to become a digital minimalist as a college student. I’d also recommend this super-detailed article from Medium on how to optimize your iPhone for productivity.
- On your phone: delete old text messages and contacts, get rid of old apps, go through the people you follow on social media, change your wallpapers, get a new phone case, track your screen time, turn on “do not disturb.”
- On your computer: purge your folders, photos, emails, songs you always skip on your playlists. Empty your trash. Backup your hard drive.
- On the internet: delete your bookmarks, unsubscribe from spam or uninteresting newsletters, and unfollow the news. Get rid of shallow news sources and sources of negativity that leave you feeling anxious or “behind” in life. Instead, filter through the things you consume and find a few favorite sources of inspiration: blogs, podcasts, newsletters.
Photo by Stephanie-Harvey on Unsplash
Take care of yourself.
- Get your health on track. First, drink lots of water. Second, eat whole foods that make you feel lighter. Third, get more sleep—you need 8-9 hours to feel like a human being again. Paying attention to your health makes a world of difference!
- Set aside an evening for self-care. Take a hot shower, wash your hair, exfoliate. Put on comfy pajamas and lotion your face, legs, and arms. Put on a face mask. Paint your nails.
- Pay attention to your thoughts. Don’t judge yourself, but pay attention to the patterns of your thinking and learn to separate yourself from the thoughts you think. Look into morning pages to get all your thoughts on paper and clear your mind. Start a gratitude list. Train yourself to see the good in others. Learn to think positively.
Photo by Laura Chouette on Unsplash
Get excited about life!
- What do you want your life to look like someday? Spend some time journaling about the person you want to be, the thoughts you want to think, the place you want to live, how you spend your time, who you spend your time with. The vision you create will be your north star that guides your decisions in life.
- Not sure what you want to do with your life? I would highly recommend “Finding Your Own North Star” by Martha Beck. This book is brimming over with insights on how to figure out what’s meant for you and how to create your dream life.
- Make a life plan. This can be as complex as a five-year road map of your life, or as simple as a list of moments you hope to experience someday. You could even create a vision board on Pinterest and gather images of your dream life. However you go about it, get clear on what you want your life to look like.
- Make plans you’re excited about. Call a friend and make some plans. Make time to go on a walk somewhere new, try a new coffee shop, or begin learning to play an instrument. Happiness isn’t waiting for you somewhere in the future; it’s waiting for you right now. Choose to notice how amazing your life is right now.
