How to Reset Before New Year (Ultimate Life Reset Guide!)

The end of the year is like the final chapter of a book—it’s your chance to tie up loose ends, reflect on the journey, and prepare for a brand-new story. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or just in need of a refresh, this guide will help you reset before the New Year with actionable steps that make sense and feel achievable.

So, grab a cup of tea (or a strong coffee), and let’s get your life back on track before the clock strikes midnight!

Step 1: Reflect on the Year That’s Passed

Before we can move forward, we need to look back. Think of this as cleaning out your mental closet—you need to figure out what’s working and what’s not.

A great way to do this is to conduct a life audit - this helps you to take stock of where you are now and understand where you want to be.

I included an entire section for reflection in The Dream Life journal. The journal also comes packed with helpful prompts and activities to clear your mind and start the New Year with an optimistic perpective.

How to reflect on 2024:

Ask the Right Questions:

• What am I most proud of this year?

• What challenges taught me the most?

• What habits, relationships, or commitments no longer serve me?

Journal It Out: Dedicate 30 minutes to a “year-in-review” journaling session. Write freely about your highs, lows, and lessons learned.

Extra tip: Break out your calendar or photos for memory joggers—you’ll be surprised at how much you’ve done and grown.

Step 2: Declutter Your Space

A cluttered space equals a cluttered mind. A pre-New Year declutter can work wonders for your mental clarity and energy.

I personally love this room-by-room decluttering checklist which breaks down the process into bite sized chunks.

Decluttering Action Plan:

1. Start Small: Focus on one area at a time, like your closet, desk, or digital files.

2. Create Categories:

   • Keep

   • Donate

   • Toss

3. Digital Detox: Clear out old emails, delete unused apps, and organize your phone or computer files.

If something doesn’t “spark joy” (thanks, Marie Kondo!), it’s time to let it go.

You would be shocked at the difference a tidy home and environment can make! Once you’ve decluttered your space, use these brain dump journal prompts to declutter your mind.

Step 3: Reassess Your Goals

Remember those New Year’s resolutions you made last January? If they’ve fallen by the wayside, don’t worry—you’re not alone. This is your chance to reassess and set more meaningful intentions.

I am using this one word resolution technique to set goals for 2025 - but there are many ways to set New Years resolutions that work!

How to Reset Your Goals:

• Review Old Goals: Did they align with what truly matters to you?

• Set New Priorities: Choose 1–3 focus areas for the next year (e.g., health, career, relationships).

• Break Them Down: Turn big goals into actionable steps. For example, “get healthier” becomes “exercise for 30 minutes, 3 times a week.”

Pro Tip: Use the HEART goal framework to ensure that your goals are meaningful and aligned with your purpose.

Step 4: Cleanse Your Mind

Resetting isn’t just about the physical and practical—it’s also about getting your mind in the right place.

I’ve already mentioned decluttering your mind. But this isn’t the only step!

I wrote a whole guide on how to have a mindset reset in the New Year that provides a more comprehensive overview of how to start 2025 with a winning mindset.

To put things simply: you should aim to start the New Year with a optimistic outlook, a set of techniques to rewire negative thoughts and a sense of gratitude for the life that you have (this will help you to manifest your dream life!).

Mental Reset Tips:

• Practice Mindfulness: Start a 5-minute daily mindfulness or meditation practice to quiet mental noise.

• Reframe Negative Thoughts: For every negative thought, challenge yourself to find a positive perspective.

• Unplug: Take a social media detox for a day (or longer). Use the time to reconnect with yourself.

Pro Tip: Download a meditation app like Calm or Headspace if you’re new to mindfulness.

Step 5: Reorganize Your Routine

A solid routine is like a roadmap—it helps you stay on track and feel more in control.

To get a head start of the New Year, consider creating new morning, evening and daily routines for yourself that help you to build good habits.

Here is some inspiration:

• How to make your morning routine more productive

• Healthy morning routine checklist for success

How to Build a Reset Routine:

• Morning Ritual: Create a routine that energizes you, like journaling, stretching, or enjoying a quiet cup of coffee.

• Evening Wind-Down: Use your evenings to reflect and prepare for the next day—think gratitude journaling or light reading.

• Weekly Check-ins: Dedicate time each week to review your goals and reset your focus.

Pro Tip: Keep routines flexible so they feel sustainable, not restrictive. Try to align your daily routine with your long-term goals by building habits that compliment your dream life.

Step 6: Reconnect with Yourself

When was the last time you truly checked in with yourself? Use this reset period to nurture your relationship with you.

My favourite way to reconnect myself is to use a self discovery journal - these journals come packed with prompts and questions to help you get to know yourself a little better.

Meditation, free writing and vision boarding (I think that’s a word!) are also great ways to connect with yourself.

Self-Reconnection Tips:

• Rediscover Hobbies: What activities make you lose track of time? Revisit an old hobby or try something new.

• Spend Time Alone: Take yourself on a “me date” to a coffee shop, park, or bookstore.

• Focus on Self-Care: Treat yourself to a skincare session, a bubble bath, or simply a nap.

Pro Tip: Schedule self-care into your calendar—it’s just as important as any other commitment. Here are 10 unusual self care ideas to get you started!

Step 7: Plan for the New Year

Finally, set yourself up for success by creating a plan for the year ahead.

Don’t worry! You don’t need to map out every hour or every day.

However, it helps to have a rough idea of how you plan on achieving your goals. This will help you to align your actions and decisions with where you want to be in a year’s time.

How to Plan Effectively:

• Create a Vision Board: Visualize what you want 2025 to look like. Use magazines, Pinterest, or Canva to bring your dreams to life.

• Schedule Key Dates: Mark important milestones, deadlines, or events in your calendar.

• Find Accountability: Share your goals with a friend or join a group that supports your aspirations.

Pro Tip: Keep your vision board or written goals somewhere you’ll see them daily—it’s a constant reminder of where you’re headed.

Your Ultimate Reset Checklist

Here’s a quick recap to make your reset even easier:

1. Reflect on your year with journaling and thoughtful questions.

2. Declutter your physical and digital spaces.

3. Reassess and refine your goals using the SMART framework.

4. Cleanse your mind with mindfulness, reframing, and unplugging.

5. Build or refresh your daily routine to stay grounded.

6. Reconnect with yourself through hobbies, alone time, and self-care.

7. Plan for the year ahead with vision boards, schedules, and accountability.

SAVE THIS CHECKLIST TO YOUR PINTEREST BOARD!

Resetting before the New Year isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress. By taking these actionable steps, you’ll feel clearer, calmer, and more confident heading into 2025.

Remember, this isn’t a race. Go at your own pace, and celebrate every small win along the way. Also, remember to SAVE this post to your Pinterest so that you can come back to it later!