Last Updated on January 8, 2025 by Angela Vaz
The new year has begun and we’re all craving change.
Have you ever woken up, looked at yourself in the mirror, and thought, This isn’t who I want to be—this isn’t the life I dreamed of?
Maybe it’s the job that drains you, the hollow relationships, or the goals you’ve pushed to the side for so long that you’re not even sure they still belong to you.
Maybe it’s all of it.
We all have moments when life feels like it’s slipped out of our control like we’ve somehow become passengers in our own story.
But here’s the thing: you can take the wheel back.
You can rewrite your narrative.
And you can start today.
Changing your life doesn’t have to mean moving across the world or quitting your job on a whim. It’s not about dramatic gestures or unrealistic leaps.
Real transformation happens in the small, intentional steps you take daily. And while 30 days may not sound like a lot of time, it’s enough to spark meaningful change.
It’s enough to build momentum and lay the foundation for a life that feels more aligned with who you truly are.
I know this because I’ve been there.
I’ve faced the overwhelming sense of wanting more but not knowing where to start.
I’ve felt stuck in patterns that didn’t serve me and overwhelmed by the idea of making a change. But what I learned is this: the magic doesn’t lie in knowing exactly how everything will unfold; it lies in taking that first step, then the next, and the one after that. It lies in believing—even just a little—that your life can look different, that you can feel different, and that your dreams are still within reach.
Over the next 30 days, you have an opportunity to invest in yourself.
To experiment. To rediscover the passions and priorities you’ve buried beneath the chaos of everyday life.
This isn’t about fixing your life; it’s about starting a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and growth.
It’s about reclaiming the parts of yourself that you’ve lost along the way. Whether you’re looking to overhaul your health, reignite your creativity, strengthen your relationships, or simply feel more at peace in your own skin, these next 30 days are yours to design.
So, are you ready?
Let’s do this—one day, one choice, one breath at a time.
You don’t have to have all the answers, and you don’t have to know exactly where you’re going.
All you need is the courage to begin.
1. Set the foundation
The first week is all about setting yourself up for success.
Start by identifying what you truly want to change.
Ask yourself: What isn’t working in my life right now? What small step can I take today to begin shifting that? Write these answers down, and keep them where you can see them.
Prioritize Sleep: Commit to going to bed 30 minutes earlier than usual. Rest is the foundation of everything.
Declutter Your Space: A clear space creates a clear mind. Spend an hour cleaning your room, your desk, or any area you use daily.
Create a Morning Routine: Even a simple routine, like drinking water, stretching, and journaling for five minutes, can set a positive tone for the day.
2. Practice gratitude
When I was going through a bad time, all I could see were the negative aspects of my life.
And writing down the things I was grateful for helped set the tone for the day.
It made me realize how beautiful my life is and 99% of my life was good.
Take a moment to reflect on what you’re grateful for.
It can be something as simple as that cup of coffee that you look forward to or plants sitting on your desk or that text from your best friend that makes you laugh.
I wanted a simple notebook so I got this 5-minute gratitude journal that quite literally takes 5 minutes to fill out every day.
Bonus: It looks very pretty on my desk!
3. Stretch and meditate
It may seem like cringey advice, but this particular bit helps overthinkers like me.
In the morning, we usually feel like our brain is being pulled in 100 different directions because there is so much to do.
Stretching and meditating actually helps calm your mind and bring it to the present.
Just do some light stretching before you sit down to meditate.
This will help improve circulation and release the tension from your muscles.
Once you sit down, spend a few minutes meditating to clear your mind.
In the beginning, your mind will be full of thoughts – it might be noisy.
Accept this. All of us begin this way.
But with time, you will notice yourself observing your thoughts and becoming more self-aware.
The best way to put it?
It’s like you’re sitting on the pavement watching your thoughts as noisy cars move left and right on the road while you’re observing them calmly with no reaction.
That’s what meditation is all about – it’s not about trying to quiet the mind.
It’s about letting things flow and not getting dragged with it.
4. Move your body
It doesn’t have to be complicated.
You just need to move.
The days I skip this, I become a couch potato so I have figured that this habit is crucial for staying energized and being productive.
Don’t skip this even though this is the hardest step in this morning routine.
Trust me, for the first 2 weeks you might hate this, but after that, you’ll see the benefits and never want to stop.
You can just walk, or run for 10 minutes or do some yoga – the idea is to just move.
You don’t need to hit the gym if it’s too intimidating.
Doing this 1 thing will:
Boosts Energy Levels: It increases blood flow and oxygen supply to your muscles and brain, helping you feel more awake and energized throughout the day.
Enhances Mood: Morning exercise triggers the release of endorphins, often called “feel-good” hormones, which can improve your mood and reduce stress and anxiety.
Improves Focus and Mental Clarity: Exercise stimulates brain function and increases cognitive abilities, making you more alert and focused for tasks that require concentration.
Kickstart sMetabolism: Morning exercise can jumpstart your metabolism, leading to more calories burned throughout the day, even when you’re at rest.
Establishes a Healthy Routine: Working out in the morning helps establish a consistent exercise routine, as it’s often easier to stick to a habit when it’s done first thing, without the distractions or obligations that arise later in the day.
Moreover, I’ve found that I feel very accomplished – it helps me realize if I can exercise (something so hard for me) I can really do anything I want to.
5. Practice skincare (target your skin concerns)
To be consistent with difficult habits, I always start small.
For instance, I never took care of my skin growing up – I always found it time-consuming.
So, I’d just wash my face and call it a day.
But when I wanted to build a skincare habit, I learned that it’s best to start with 1-2 products and slowly build up from there.
This way, you’re allowing your skin to get used to the chemicals.
And you’re building a habit too!
Don’t try to reduce fine lines, eliminate acne and get glowing skin in 1 routine. It’s best to target 1 skin problem and build a routine around that.
For instance, I have acne prone skin so this is my skincare routine that works for me:
- Morning: Gentle cleanser, glycolic acid (helps with fading hyperpigmentation and smoothes skin), sunscreen
- Evening: Cleanser followed by Salicylic acid/Niacinamide (I alternate between both)
Occasionally, when I notice that I’m developing a breakout, I’ll just apply benzoyl peroxide gel (5%) on the area on clean skin and forego any serum/treatment.
Benzoyl peroxide drastically decreases the inflammation, so the pimple doesn’t get bigger and goes away quickly.
6. Eat a balanced breakfast
As much as I love sweet breakfasts once in a while, I try to avoid this (except when I have too big of a craving) and go for a savory breakfast.
Why?
Because sweet breakfasts tend to give you a sugar rush – you’ll get a burst of energy and once your sugar crashes, you’ll feel ravenous and eat everything in sight.
So, the best way to keep yourself full for longer while maintaining peak energy levels is to have a nice savory breakfast.
Some of my favorite breakfasts include:
- Avocado toast with egg: Spread mashed avocado on whole-grain toast and top with a poached or fried egg. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and a dash of red pepper flakes, or drizzle with hot sauce.
- Mixed veggie omelet: I usually love throwing in some mushrooms and spinach and I’ll add in some spices or cheese if I want to go a little crazy
- Breakfast burrito: Just fill a whole-wheat tortilla with scrambled eggs, black beans, sauteed spinach and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese
- Smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel: Spread cream cheese on a whole-grain bagel, then top with smoked salmon, red onion slices, capers, and fresh dill.
- Tofu scramble: Sauté crumbled tofu with turmeric, nutritional yeast, and your favorite vegetables for a protein-packed, plant-based breakfast.
- Quinoa Breakfast Bowl: Combine cooked quinoa with sautéed kale, roasted sweet potatoes, and a poached egg. Top with avocado and a drizzle of hot sauce.
- Grilled Cheese with Tomato: Make a classic grilled cheese with whole-grain bread and your choice of cheese, then add slices of fresh tomato for a savory twist.
Now you can have this with a nice green matcha latte, or a coffee latte – it’s your call completely.
I have my breakfast with chai because I absolutely love tea and coffee unfortunately triggers my acne.
You might want to read: How I cleared my skin in 10 weeks
7. Plan your day
Take a few minutes to plan your day.
I have a Notes App on my phone (every phone does) where I compile a rough list of what I need to do every day.
It’s a rough idea of sorts but it helps me remember everything I need to.
Not to mention, checking off each item gives me some joy.
If you’d rather keep a planner, you can check out this one that I keep on my desk for my work to-dos.
8. Do something that makes your heart sing
As much as we need to get on with our daily responsibilities, I feel this step is important because it not only helps boost your spirit, but it makes you realize whom you’re doing all this for – You.
No matter how busy I am, I try to carve out 20-30 minutes a day to do something I love.
I usually do this in the mornings because it’s very quiet and I am not interrupted.
For me, it’s reading.
But for you, it can be anything you love.
- Maybe you’ve been wanting to start a business: Do it.
- Maybe you’ve been wanting to write poetry: Why not now?
- Maybe you just want to declutter your home so that you feel motivated to work: Yes, go for it!
Spend that 30 minutes doing something that makes you smile.
But make sure it’s positive.
9. Review your short-term and long-term goals
This is the only way you’ll actually know if you’re going in the right direction.
I just take a quick view of these every morning and I breathe a sigh of relief when I know I am actually following my goals.
It’s important to have both – short and long term.
For instance, if you’re on your fitness journey, your short term goal could be, “build up to 30 minutes on the treadmill”
But your long term goal could be to start muscle building at the gym and become more toned.
This will help you stay focused throughout the day and become more motivated to achieve what is important to you.
10. Dress comfortably and confidently
Depending on whether you’re working from home or attending classes/work – dress up in something that is comfortable but stylish.
Comfort comes first.
Opt for breathable, soft fabrics like cotton/linen that feel good on your skin.
As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to realize that comfort beats stylish any day.
Wear clothes that make you feel good and reflect your personal style.
I love bright colors, but I’ll pair them with jeans. If I am opting for neutrals, I’ll wear a flattering cut.
Focus on details, even a pair of earrings or a nice belt can elevate your whole look.
11. Limit negative influences
Identify and reduce your time with people or in situations that drain your energy or contribute to negative feelings.
You don’t want to work so hard on your morning routine just to do this and feel demotivated.
I DO NOT scroll through Instagram/TikTok in the morning because it simply dulls the brain.
It is overstimulation that our brains can do without.
Less is more, remember that.
So, limit social media in the morning, in fact say no to screens so that you can truly focus on making your morning work for you.
Conclusion
I wish you nothing but peace and happiness.
I wrote this post because I know how frustrating it is to feel lost.
I’ve been in that position several times in my life, and it’s kinda depressing because you have to put in so much effort even to brush your teeth or do something as simple as making a meal for yourself.
It’s not easy, and not many people talk about feeling this way.
But I need you to understand that this feeling is temporary.
And you will get through this.
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