Embracing A New Month

This might sound a little nerdy, but I love when a new month begins. It feels like I’m turning to a fresh page, ready to take on the world! The energy of a new beginning is contagious, and it’s the perfect time to set new goals. With that said, it’s really easy to get caught up in that excitement and overdo it. I’ve had months where I’ve set some seriously unachievable goals simply because I was riding the wave of enthusiasm—and then ended up burning myself out. Sound familiar?

So how do you strike a balance? How can you harness that energy and use it to achieve new goals without pushing yourself to the point where it's no longer sustainable? The answer is simple, but not always easy: be realistic with yourself.

Here’s how you can do that and still feel like you’re making meaningful progress.

Reflect on Where You’re At

Before you even start setting goals, hit pause and take a real, honest look at where you are right now. What’s going on in your life? What’s your schedule like? How’s your mental, physical, and emotional energy? It’s so tempting to set goals based on where you wish you were, but that’s a quick path to disappointment. Trust me, I’ve been there—writing down goals like I had all the free time in the world, only to realize halfway through the month that I didn’t.

Instead, ground yourself in your current reality. Are you in a busy season? Maybe now’s not the time to set huge, lofty goals. If you’re feeling more balanced, maybe you can stretch a little more. The key is to meet yourself where you are and not where you want to be. You’re much more likely to stick to your goals this way.

Get Specific—No More Vague Goals

Another big mistake I used to make was setting goals that were way too vague. I’d say things like, “I want to be healthier this month,” but what does that even mean? Without something specific to aim for, it’s hard to feel accomplished. So instead of being vague, get crystal clear.

Stay Flexible—Life Happens

This one’s huge: be flexible. If there’s one thing life loves to do, it’s throw curveballs. You may start the month strong, but if something unexpected happens—whether it’s a work emergency, family obligation, or just general burnout—it’s okay to adjust your goals. It doesn’t mean you’re failing; it just means you’re being realistic.

Give yourself permission to shift your goals as your month unfolds. You might find that what worked at the beginning of the month isn’t working now, and that’s fine. Adaptability is key to long-term success.

Break It Down: Example Time

Now, let’s break this down with a real-life example. One of the most common goals people set is to work out every day of the week. Sounds great in theory, right? But in reality, most of us just don’t have the time or energy to work out every single day, especially if we’re juggling work, family, and everything else life throws our way.

So instead of saying, “I’m going to work out every day,” try something more manageable. For instance, “I’m going to walk for 20 minutes three times a week.” This allows you to pick those three times based on when you actually have free time, instead of locking yourself into an impossible schedule. It’s specific, it’s flexible, and it’s realistic.

Celebrate the Small Wins

Something else I’ve learned over time is that it’s super important to celebrate your small wins along the way. It’s easy to get fixated on the big end goal, but progress happens in the small steps. Give yourself credit for the work you’re putting in, even if you’re not at the finish line yet. Whether you reward yourself with something fun or just take a moment to appreciate how far you’ve come, it’ll keep you motivated to keep going. One of my guilty pleasures is truffle french fries, so every once a while I like to treat myself with them!

In the end, setting goals isn’t about pushing yourself to the limit—it’s about making realistic, achievable steps toward what you want. So as you start this new month, use that fresh-page feeling to fuel your excitement, but remember to stay grounded, stay flexible, and most importantly, stay kind to yourself. You’ve got this!