Mid-Year Reset: How to Refresh Your Mind and Habits

We are a few weeks into July and there’s no better time to pause and reflect on the goals that we’ve set at the beginning of the year. Summer offers space to breathe, reassess, and realign with our goals, especially when the days are longer and the pace (hopefully) a little slower.

Taking a mid-year pause to reflect on your habits is a practical approach, because it gives you a chance to check in on what’s working and what’s not. Whether you’ve naturally drifted off course or simply want to gain fresh momentum, here are four easy ways you can finish the year with clarity and purpose.

1) Brainstorm Before you jump into “doing” mode, take a moment to reflect on what has been working for you this year. You can try journaling prompts to help you dive deeper into what changes you need to make or celebrate what’s been working best.

Some things to think about…
• What actions or habits have brought me closer to my goals?
• Which ones have caused delays?
• What habits or rituals have I outgrown since January?
• Which areas of my life feel aligned and which ones need more work?
• What could I make more time for?

2) Take Action Once you have a clear idea on how you want to refresh your goals, it’s time to take action. Start by building your habits slowly, because the goal here isn’t perfection, it’s consistency.

These goals can include…
• Setting aside 1 hour each night for self-care
• Checking in/socializing with a friend or family member once a week
• Refreshing one area in your home so it’s more functional
• Unsubscribing from emails/subscriptions that you no longer use
• Creating a mood board for visual inspiration

3) Try Something New Summer is the perfect time to reconnect with your creativity. It’s a great time to try something new. Remember, your new hobbies don’t have to be “productive” nor do you have to be “good” at them for it to be worthwhile.

This can include…
• Signing up for a pop-up class such as paint and sip, pottery, or jewelry making
• Joining an event held at your local library for live readings, open-mic, and games
• Starting a photo diary or scrapbook for your summer adventures
• Taking a free online course on a topic that’s always piqued your interest
• Finally getting started on a side project such as website building, selling on Etsy, etc.

4) Stay Accountable Staying accountable is key when it comes to building new habits. Try keeping a journal or using a tracking app on your phone. Having a clear visual of your progress can help you stay motivated and on track.

This can look like…
• Creating a small and realistic list of things you want to accomplish
• Using a bullet journal to track your weekly/monthly progress
• If you prefer your phone, use a digital checklist like the Reminders or Notes app
•  Checking in bi-weekly to see which areas are successful and which areas need work
• If your new habit is reading, use Goodreads to track your reading goals

Use this summer, and the remaining few months of the year, to refocus on habits that support the version of yourself you want to become. Lean into what feels aligned, brings you joy, and cultivates lasting peace. Share your reset ritual, I’d love to know what you’re bringing into the second half of the year.

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