Checking Off the Monthly Check List: Small Wins, Big Impact

There’s something satisfying about starting a fresh month with a plan. It’s like opening a brand-new notebook—full of possibility, organization (at least in theory), and the hope that I’ll finally get my life together. So, this month, I decided to actually go through my checklist and make sure I was hitting all the small but meaningful goals that keep life moving in the right direction. Some were easier than others, a few took some extra effort, but by the end of it, I felt accomplished, refreshed, and maybe even a little bit proud of myself.

Let’s go through the list and talk about what got done, what needed some tweaking, and what I learned along the way.

1. Check on Goals

The first thing I did was sit down with my planner and review the goals I set earlier this year. Some were going well, others… let’s just say I needed a reality check. I had to ask myself:

• Are these still goals I care about?
• Am I making real progress, or am I just writing them down to feel productive?

Some goals got a renewed focus (like sticking to my fitness routine), while others got tweaked (because let’s be real, some things just aren’t working).

2. Break One Bad Habit

Breaking bad habits is HARD. Instead of trying to overhaul my entire life overnight, I picked one small bad habit to work on: mindless scrolling before bed.

I replaced my phone with a book at night, and while I won’t say I was perfect, I slept better and felt less stressed. Small change, big difference.

3. Show Yourself Love

This month, self-love looked like not beating myself up over small mistakes. Instead of spiraling when things didn’t go as planned, I tried to give myself grace—something I’m still learning to do.

I also treated myself to a fancy coffee, because sometimes, a little iced caramel latte is the boost you need.

4. Donate or Sell Unwanted Items

Decluttering is something I love in theory… but actually getting rid of things? That’s a different story.

I finally went through my closet, pulled out everything I hadn’t worn in a year, and donated it. I also listed a few items online and made a little extra cash, which was a nice bonus!

5. Get Fresh Air Daily

The goal was simple: step outside every day. Some days, that meant a full-on walk. Other days, it was just sitting on the porch for a few minutes with my coffee.

Either way, it made a difference in my mood. Fresh air is free therapy, y’all.

6. Prioritize Hydration

I’ll admit, I’m guilty of forgetting to drink water. But this month, I got serious.

I started carrying a big water bottle everywhere, and I even set phone reminders to take sips. By the end of the month, I felt less sluggish, my skin looked better, and I had fewer headaches. Who knew staying hydrated actually worked? (Spoiler: everyone knew, I was just ignoring it.)

7. Commit to One No-Spend Month This Year

I’m planning for a no-spend month later this year, so this was more about prepping for it than actually doing it.

I tracked my spending habits, noticed where I could cut back (looking at you, impulse Amazon buys), and started making a realistic plan to stick to a no-spend month when the time comes.

8. Make a Chore List

I sat down and wrote out a realistic list of things that need to get done weekly and monthly.

Did I follow it perfectly? Nope.
Did it help? Absolutely.

Having a list made household tasks feel less overwhelming because I could check things off instead of waiting until everything piled up.

9. Make One Positive Diet Change

Instead of trying to change my entire diet, I made one simple shift: eating more protein at breakfast.

Turns out, starting the day with eggs and toast instead of just coffee made me feel fuller and more focused. Who knew? (Again, probably everyone but me.)

10. Make a Playlist

This was one of the fun ones!

I made a playlist called “Feel-Good Vibes” with songs that boost my mood. Whether I was driving, cleaning, or just needing a pick-me-up, it was a little thing that made a big difference.

11. Get in Bed Early

This one was a struggle. But the nights I actually got in bed early and unplugged from screens made me feel so much better the next morning.

Lesson learned: sleep is not optional.

12. Make a Gratitude List

I took five minutes every night to write down three things I was grateful for.

Some days, it was big things (family, health, a good day). Other days, it was as simple as “iced coffee” and “a good hair day.” But every time, it made me feel more aware of the good in my life.

13. Schedule Medical Appointments for the Year

I finally did it—I scheduled all of my doctor’s check-ups, dentist visits, and all the annoying-but-necessary appointments. As well as those for Ma and Uncle R. There were so many!!

It wasn’t fun, but it was one less thing to worry about.

14. Try a New Recipe

I tried a creamy Cajun chicken pasta recipe, and let me tell you—it was delicious. This is definitely staying in the meal rotation!

15. Elevate Your Skin Care Routine

I added a vitamin C serum to my skincare routine, and while I don’t know if I’m glowing yet, I do feel fancy.

16. Audit Your Subscriptions

I found two subscriptions I wasn’t using and canceled them. That’s money saved without sacrificing anything.

17. Move Your Body Daily

Some days, it was a walk. Other days, it was stretching or dancing in my kitchen. The goal wasn’t perfection—just movement. And it worked.

18. Spend Time on Your Hobby (Learning to Sew)

I finally sat down with my sewing machine and practiced some basic stitches. It wasn’t perfect, but I’m getting better!

19. Celebrate Black History Month

This month, I read books by Black authors, supported Black-owned businesses, and made sure to educate myself on the history and contributions of Black individuals. It was a meaningful way to honor the month and learn beyond what’s taught in school.

Final Thoughts

Going through this checklist wasn’t about perfection—it was about progress. Some things were easier than others, some took more effort, but each one made my month better.

I’m learning that small, intentional actions add up over time. So here’s to keeping the momentum going, checking in with myself regularly, and making each month just a little bit better than the last.

Did you get your monthly checklist done? Let me know in the comments!