Mindfully Serene

As the first month of the year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and set our sights on the month ahead. January often feels like a whirlwind—a time of fresh starts, lofty resolutions, and adjusting back into routines after Christmas. It also feels like the LONGEST month to ever exist! But now, as we step into February, we have an opportunity to build on the foundations we laid in January and continue to grow. To continue working towards those goals and resolutions we set ourselves, rather than losing our focus/momentum like so many do. 

In this blog post, we’ll explore how to reflect on January, reset for February, and maintain momentum toward our goals. Whether you’re feeling accomplished, overwhelmed, or somewhere in between, this guide will help you embrace February with a mindset of growth and possibility.

Reflecting on January

Before diving into February, take a moment to reflect on the past month. January is often a month of high energy and motivation, but it can also be filled with challenges as we try to adapt to new habits and routines. Here are some ways to reflect:

Celebrate Your Wins

No matter how big or small, every win deserves recognition. Did you stick to a new habit, complete a project, or simply survive the chaos of January? Write down your achievements and take pride in your progress. For example, my wins may be:

• I finally began this blog which is something I have been wanting to do for so long.
• I managed to stick to a budget which I had set for myself.
• I was consistent with my workouts.
• I have been spending more time with my family.

By focusing on what went well, you’ll build confidence and motivation to keep moving forward. We can often get caught up on what didn’t go well, or thinking about what we have “failed”, and we lose sight of all the wins we have had. Even if you just showed up for yourself and got out of bed each day, that is a win! So be proud of yourself. 

Learn from Challenges

Whilst we may have had some wins, I think it’s completely normal to face challenges along the way, too. In some respects, January may not have gone exactly as planned, and that’s okay. Reflect on any setbacks or obstacles you faced. Ask yourself:

• What challenges did I encounter?
• What can I learn from those experiences?
• How can I approach similar situations differently in the future?

For example, if you struggled to stick to a resolution, perhaps the goal was too ambitious, or you need a more structured plan. Remember, every challenge is an opportunity to grow. The important thing here is to not give up – revisit those goals, and remind yourself why you wanted to achieve them in the first place, and then we can break them down & go again. 

Assess Your Goals

Take stock of the goals you set at the beginning of the year. Are they still relevant? Do they need adjusting? January is often filled with enthusiasm, but it’s important to ensure your goals align with your priorities and are realistic for your current circumstances.

If you find that some goals no longer resonate, don’t be afraid to pivot. Growth isn’t about rigidly sticking to a plan; it’s about adapting and evolving. You may have set yourself a goal at the start of this year which just no longer works for you, and that’s OK. We are constantly changing and evolving; and it is important our goals do the same. 

Resetting for February

Now that you’ve reflected on January, it’s time to reset and refocus for February. Here’s how you can start the month with clarity and intention:

Set New Intentions

February is an opportunity for a fresh start. Think about what you want to prioritize this month. Instead of setting vague resolutions, focus on clear and actionable intentions. For example:

• If you have a goal around wanting to become fitter, you may break this down to: “I will exercise three times a week for 30 minutes.”
• If you want to prioritise your mental health/well-being, a goal may be “I will journal for 10 minutes every evening.”
• If you feel you’ve been neglecting your relationships and would like to spend more time with this, you may say: “I will schedule one meaningful catch-up with a friend each week.”

By breaking down your goals into specific, manageable actions, you’ll set yourself up for success. It is important to not go to 0-100 as this will make your goals unachievable and you will inevitably lose motivation. Let’s start small, and work our way up!

Create a Plan

A goal without a plan is just a wish. Use February to map out how you’ll achieve your intentions. Here’s how:

For example, if your goal is to prioritise self-care, your plan might look like this:

• Week 1: Take a relaxing bath and read a book.
• Week 2: Try a guided meditation session.
• Week 3: Schedule a spa day or DIY at-home spa evening.
• Week 4: Reflect on how these practices made you feel and adjust for March.

Revisit Your Why

Motivation can wane as the year progresses, so it’s important to reconnect with your “why.” Why did you set these goals in the first place? What impact will achieving them have on your life?

For example:

• If your goal is to improve your fitness, your “why” might be to feel more energetic and confident.
• If your goal is to build better habits, your “why” might be to create a more balanced and fulfilling daily routine.

Write down your reasons and keep them somewhere visible to remind yourself of your purpose. Sometimes when working towards our goals, we can become frustrated if we don’t see quick results, or we may get so caught up in actually doing the things we need to achieve them, that we forget why they were important to us in the first place. Having our ‘why’ written down to revisit and come back to as many times as is needed can be really important. 

Maintaining Momentum in February

As we move deeper into the year, it’s common to feel a dip in motivation. Here are some tips to stay consistent and keep growing:

Focus on Progress, Not Perfection

It’s easy to get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results, but growth is a gradual process. Celebrate progress, no matter how small, and remember that every step forward counts.

For example:

• If you’re working on a fitness goal, focus on how much stronger or more energetic you feel, rather than the numbers on a scale. Congratulate yourself if you managed to stick to working out 3x a week, or walking for 30 minutes each day, as these are huge successes which you should be proud of yourself for.
• If you’re building a new habit, acknowledge the days you succeed rather than dwelling on the days you miss.

Prioritise Self-Care

Burnout can derail even the best intentions. Make self-care a priority by:

Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Taking care of yourself is essential for sustained growth.

Stay Accountable

Accountability can be a powerful motivator. Share your goals with a friend, join a community, or document your progress online. Having someone to cheer you on (or gently remind you) can make all the difference. Perhaps you can all help me to remain motivated with my clean eating, or even with remaining consistent with this blog?!

Embrace the Season

February can feel like a long, gray month (almost like January pt. 2!), but it also has its own charm. Lean into the season by:

• Enjoying cozy indoor activities like reading, baking, or crafting.
• Spending time outdoors to appreciate the crisp winter air. I think February is the time when we notice things changing, too – the days are already starting to get longer, which is great.
• Looking forward to Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to celebrate love in all its forms, whether with a partner, friends, or yourself. 

Plan for Joy

Make February a month to look forward to by scheduling activities that bring you joy. Whether it’s a weekend getaway, a creative project, or simply setting aside time to relax, prioritise what makes you happy. Yes, working on our goals is super important, but life is for living and it is important to do things that bring you happiness, too – whatever that may look like.

A Personal Anecdote

As I look back on January, I’m reminded of the importance of flexibility. I started the month with ambitious plans, but life had its own agenda. It has been quite a difficult month for me as I have been quite physically unwell. Instead of feeling frustrated, I embraced the unexpected and adjusted my approach. For example, when I couldn’t stick to my original workout schedule due to being unwell, I tried to adjust this by doing things like yoga, pilates, or slow walks which didn’t require as much energy.

This taught me that growth isn’t about rigidly sticking to a plan—it’s about adapting and finding what works for you. As I step into February, I’m carrying this lesson with me and focusing on progress, not perfection. I am really excited to continue with this blog and to see where it perhaps leads me. 

Final Thoughts

As we say goodbye to January and hello to February, let’s embrace this new month as an opportunity for growth. Reflect on the lessons of the past month, reset your intentions, and move forward with clarity and purpose. Whether your journey involves small steps or bold leaps, remember that every effort brings you closer to the life you want to create. You can totally do this, and I am vouching for you every step of the way.

What are your goals for February? How will you prioritize growth in the weeks ahead? Share your thoughts in the comments below—I’d love to hear from you. Here’s to a month of progress, joy, and transformation! 

Speak to you soon.

All my love,

T x