August Check-In

August to me feels like the beginning of a new year. More than January does. It's in August I feel most inspired to make changes in my life. To do a review or check-in of the year past and the year ahead. For as long as I can remember I've always loved the end of summer and beginning of autumn. Work/school starts and everything gets back to "normal". I find it's easier to create some structure and routines. 

"Summer is fluid and free, autumn structured and calm. Winter reflective and cozy while spring is busy and alive."

What I like to do in August is to take a pause. Since having a child it's usually a very short pause, but I'll take what I can get. I reflect on the year and where I am in my life compared to where I set out to be and where I want to be.

I often start by just sitting down with my headphones on, listening to calming music, and think about the year and everything that's happened so far. I write down anything that comes up in a notebook or in Google Keep. Then I use a life planner and the calendar on my phone to get organized for the coming season.

If you also want to do a check-in (it doesn’t have to be an August one, it can be whenever you feel a need for it), here are some ways to help you get started: 

• Take some time (and a notebook), whenever works for your schedule and reflect upon where you are in life, what it currently looks like. How was the summer and the rest of the year so far? List some high points and some things that didn't go as planned. Did you get to do the things you wanted to? What was challenging? Are there any lessons for next year?

  
  

• Then move on to how you want autumn (and the rest of the year) to be. What activities do you want to do? What assignments, deadlines and events do you already have planned? What worries you or stresses you out? Is there anything you can do to make your days run smoother? Do you have everything you need? Here’s where I find a planner or notebook/app to be helpful.

Some questions to ask yourself: 

• Where am I in my life right now? Am I where I want to be or am I longing for something else? 

• What is going well in my life in regards to work, home, family, relationships, projects?

• What needs to change? What is urgent? What can wait? 

• What routines are working? What’s not working? Do I need to add/remove something? What routines can help make my life flow more easily?

• What goals have I achieved? What goals are in progress? What goals have I not started yet/need some tweaking? Am I following my plan? If not, reflect on why and what can help get you back on track. 

• Do I have a budget that works for me and my life? Any loans/debt that need some looking over? Savings? Investments? 

Note:

I do not do all of this in one sitting. It usually takes me the whole month. And I don’t always reflect on everything, sometimes I focus on a few areas that aren’t working or that cause a lot of stress and worry for me. So take what works for you. Just the act of actually reflecting on life is often beneficial in itself. 

Hope you find this helpful and have a wonderful rest of your day!