It’s hard to start again when we see ourselves fail, and boy, is this the time of year for failing. Although I’ve lived through twenty Januarys now, I still cannot resist the feelings of hope and renewal that come with them. Nothing seems better than the clean slate of a new year to revamp your life. The reality is that many people will sweep their resolutions under the carpet by February. These resolutions are often never seen again until another “perfect time” to start them rolls around.
Waiting for the perfect time to restart has always been detrimental to my goals. Instead of taking accountability for my failures, I used to blame my circumstances. Perhaps the weather or a heavy workload was sabotaging my progress. Until the time was right, I figured I might as well not work toward my ideal self. When the weather was finally perfect and I had no schoolwork, it still was never the right time for whatever reason I could muster up. Year after year, I was waiting and making no progress. Nothing really changed until I embraced the idea of a reset.
You’ve probably seen “Sunday Reset” videos on various social media, especially TikTok. These aesthetically pleasing clips feature people “resetting” for the week ahead by cleaning their space, running errands, working out, and so on. There isn’t one specific recipe for a reset. Essentially, your chosen tasks should help you realign yourself with your goals. On the surface, “Sunday Reset” videos may seem frivolous. Even I, now a reset enthusiast, initially wondered if they were helpful or just a way for influencers to show off their lifestyles. Once I started including resets in my routine, it became clear that they may be the secret key that can change the saying “new year, new me” from a dream to a reality.
Resets curb inaction because they enforce consistency and reflection. Every Sunday I assess and redirect myself to lessen the chance that I will abandon what I’m working towards. Resets continuously remind me of my goals, allow me to forgive myself for my mistakes, and give me time to organise my upcoming week. They ensure I do not neglect the crucial tasks for becoming who I want to be. Through my resets, I have taken back the control that I lost when I was idealizing a “perfect” time.
Each person’s weekly reset can look different. Some people may even opt for a biweekly or monthly reset if it better fits their schedule. Personally, I prioritize cleaning, self-care, and planning. I decide when to do my homework, reading, and workouts during the week. I like to take a long shower and do all of my laundry. One of the most important things I do is consider how this week can be better than the last. My reset is tailored to becoming the person I want to be: productive, healthy, calm, and organised. Other common elements of a reset include running errands, doing a hobby, journaling, exercising, answering emails, and completing school assignments.
Whatever your goals are for this year, it may be worth your while to start resetting!