How to Gently Reset Your Year

Somewhere around late June, I hit a wall. Nothing dramatic happened – no big meltdown, no major failure – but I just... slowed down. My energy felt scattered, my habits slipped, and I found myself thinking, ‘Wait, wasn’t this the year I was going to feel more grounded?’ 

So instead of powering through, I gave myself permission to pause. 

What came out of that pause was a simple mid-year reset. Not a makeover or a reinvention, but a realignment. A soft recentering of myself. 

If you are feeling like you’ve drifted, lost focus, or simply want to feel a bit more you again, here’s how I reset – and how you can too. 

Check In with Yourself (Without the Guilt) 

Before you change anything, you must see where you are – truthfully and gently. 

Here’s what I did: 

Sat down with a notebook (or voice note app) and asked: 

I realised I was still doing a lot of things – showing up for people, managing responsibilities – but not really tuning in. I was skimming the surface of my own life. 

You don’t need a 30-minute journaling session to do this. Even just taking a quiet walk and asking yourself those three questions can reveal a lot. 

Tip: Don’t turn this into a performance review. Think of it more like a loving check-in with an old friend – because that’s who you are to yourself.

Reconnect With What Actually Matters to You Now 

This is where I had to get real with myself. Some of the goals I set in January? They just don’t fit anymore. Either they were unrealistic, or they were based on an older version of me. 

So, I asked myself: 

For me, the answer wasn’t ‘go harder’ - it was ‘go slower, but more intentionally’. 

Maybe for you it’s recommitting to your health. Or protecting your peace. Or finally giving time to that thing you keep saying you’ll start when life calms down (hint: life never really calms down). 

Tip: Pick one or two guiding words for the rest of your year. Mine are nourish and lighten. Yours might be clarity, courage, rest, or joy. Let them guide your next steps. 

Choose One Small Shift at a Time 

When I first sat down to reset, I made a big list of all the habits I wanted to ‘fix’ - (Classic). But this time, I didn’t follow it. Instead, I chose just one shift a week. 

Things like: 

I picked habits that felt like acts of care, not punishment.  

Tip: You don’t need to do everything. You don’t even need a full routine. Just choose one small change that helps you feel even 5% more connected to yourself – and build from there. 

Protect the Space You Create 

This part surprised me: after making space to reset, I had to protect it. 

I had to say no to things that didn’t align. I had to stop doom-scrolling at night even when I was tired. I had to remember why I wanted to feel better in the first place. 

It’s not about being perfect. I still slip up – often. But when you start showing up for yourself, you start trusting yourself more. And that makes it easier to protect the progress you’ve made, even if it’s small. 

Tip: Write a short ’Why I'm resetting’ note to yourself and keep it visible. It doesn’t need to be profound. Mine is stuck to my mirror and just says: ‘I feel better when I slow down. Keep going’. 

Just Remember...