How to do a helpful mid-year check-in for your goals

As we pass the mid-year mark, a familiar sense of urgency often begins to surface — the realization that the year is swiftly moving towards its end, and there’s still so much to be accomplished. This time of year often prompts us to revisit our forgotten January resolutions, fuelled by a renewed motivation to achieve our goals. To smoothly transition from the relaxed pace of summer back into a structured routine, consider organizing your life into three key areas: family life, kids and school, and work life. Approach each area with clarity, resolve, and a sense of purpose to set meaningful goals for the remainder of the year. After the summer holidays and travel, I often feel the need to centre myself, reconnect with my home and family, re-engage with work, and reassess the rest of the year.

1. Family Life

As children return to the rhythm of school, routine, and activities, it’s easy to see them slip back into old habits, sometimes leading to burnout from the busyness. For adults, the return of late-night calls and back-to-back meetings can become the new normal. To counter this, start by identifying core family values that can help keep your family close-knit and happy. Before everyone begins to drift apart, establish a daily mealtime together, whether it’s breakfast or dinner, where you can all come together to reflect on the day and discuss both the highs and lows you’ve experienced. This isn’t just a time for children to share while parents listen; it’s an opportunity for the entire family to engage in meaningful conversation, sharing both the challenging and rewarding moments of the day. Make these mealtimes device-free, and practice active listening — this will make the time together all the more special.

Another beneficial habit to introduce is a weekly outdoor activity as a family. It could be as simple as a Sunday walk, where devices are left at home, and the focus is on conversation, recalibrating for the week ahead, and enjoying the fresh air and sunshine together. These consistent family rituals establish core values and create lasting memories, while also contributing to improved mental and physical health.

2. School Life

For children, the pressure of returning to school can sometimes erode the sense of calm that summer brings. To help them maintain that sense of peace, incorporate a nightly gratitude practice with your child before bed. Encourage younger children to notice three things each day that they’re happy about or thankful for, and share your own three things to inspire them. For older children, this can be a conversation at the dinner table or before bedtime. Practicing gratitude can help reduce stress and anxiety, while also improving sleep quality.

Another important family value to nurture is open communication, where children feel safe expressing themselves. Sometimes, our children may struggle with intense emotions they believe will be dismissed or ignored at home. Encourage open, honest conversations about feelings. For children who find this difficult, parents can model healthy emotional expression by sharing both positive and negative emotions in a sustainable and supportive way.

3. Work Life

As we wistfully reminisce about those long, lazy summer days, the return to the workplace can sometimes feel robotic and monotonous. Break up this monotony by becoming more mindful of what keeps you uplifted each day. A powerful way to start each morning is by setting a daily intention before getting out of bed. This intention should be specific to the day ahead and what you want to focus on. It could be a professional goal, like tackling a difficult meeting with focus and clarity, or a personal one, like celebrating your child’s success with the attention it deserves. Setting an intention each morning fosters motivation and makes the day ahead more exciting.

Another helpful strategy is to apply screen time limits to your devices. This allows you to take control of how long you spend on apps and your device, whether for work or pleasure. We often feel the urge to escape challenging moments, and instead of stepping outside for a breath of fresh air, we find ourselves mindlessly scrolling on our phones to unwind for a few minutes. Instead, consider using screen time limits to become more aware of your device usage and replace that downtime with a few moments outdoors. Sunlight and fresh air can help clear your mind, promote a more positive mindset, and reduce the time spent on devices, which are linked to higher rates of depression and anxiety.

Re-entering the rhythm of life after summer doesn’t have to be daunting. Instead, view it as a second chance—a part two of the year filled with inspiring new goals and aspirations!