Monthly Checklist: Deep Dive into the May Lifestyle Challenge

This month I’m running the #maylifestylechallenge on my Instagram (sneakersnshakes) and I wanted to take a moment to talk about what this is, where it stemmed from, and why it’s important.

In a previous post (one of my first ones actually) I talk about Setting Goals, specifically what I call Monthly Notes.

I suggest you read that post (linked here) since I’m only going to be brushing over the topic as I outline how I structure my months.

On top of my Monthly Notes (these are the goals more specific to each month) I also follow what I call a Monthly Checklist which is a baseline and applies to ever single month.

The checklist is broad on purpose and encompasses challenges that push towards growth.

This checklist is as follows:

-something new

-something creative

-educating myself (usually denoted as documentary)

-giving back (usually denoted as donation)

I want to go down this list and talk about different ways these goals can be accomplished.

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Something New

It can sound pretty daunting at first, especially for those who have done a lot of wild things in their lives, it can be hard to imagine what new thing you could possibly do. The key here is it doesn’t have to be a big thing.

Of course, if you’re able to go someplace you’ve never been or skydive or something crazy then that’s great! But your something new can be as simple as ordering a new drink at a coffee shop, or maybe trying out a new restaurant.

The objective of this goal is to further yourself in some way, push some boundaries even if it’s really small, and encourage exploration.

 

Something Creative

Like all the other goals in the checklist, this is left broad on purpose. Maybe your something creative is as simple as taking a cool picture, or slightly more complex like trying your hand at painting some happy little trees or fruit.

Some easy ideas I’ve used in the past to check this off the list is

-making a card for someone (birthday, mother’s day, thank you cards, etc.)

-doing a photography challenge (I have one on my Instagram if you’re interested)

-practicing calligraphy or trying to write in different fonts

There might even be free art-oriented classes or events at your local library or craft store if you need more guidance. (These can also double as your something new)

The objective of this goal is simply to create, add something new to the world that didn’t exist before you created it!

Educate Yourself

As you saw from the picture above this is something I usually do through watching documentaries. It’s the easiest way to learn about something that you might not have heard about or considered. (Or, conversely, offer a deep dive into a subject you’re interested in).

My go to website for educational and free documentaries is PBS’s NOVA, linked here: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/videos/episodes/

Of course, you don’t have to watch a documentary, here are some alternatives:

-listening to a podcast

-reading a book

-going to a museum

Even watching a deep dive on YouTube is a great option. There are tons of ways to educate yourself.

The objective of this goal is to keep growing and expanding your knowledge base or simply just learning something new!

 

Give Back

I usually do this by donating. Obviously, it’s important to check up on a charity before you donate but there are great sites like this: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ that will help you gauge an organization.

You also don’t need to donate a lot of money, sparing ten or twenty dollars is still better than nothing.

If you don’t have money to spare, there are still ways to give back, donating old clothes or extra food is always a great option.

Volunteering at shelters, libraries or any charity organizations near you is also completely free and very fulfilling.

I also recommend adding this chrome extension if you want to donate money for free: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/tab-for-a-cause/gibkoahgjfhphbmeiphbcnhehbfdlcgo?hl=en

Basically, every time you open a new tab you get a heart (a few cents of add money) and then you can donate those hearts to various charities.

The objective of this goal is to uplift and help others, to contribute to making the world a better place!

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These four checklist items I set for myself every month is the inspiration behind the #maylifestylechallenge. It’s just a more structured way to accomplish these goals with each week having a different focus.  

(Last week was something new and this week is something creative, hence the blog post).

This checklist is a great way to set a baseline set of goals, especially if you don’t have, or want to set, any specific personal ones.

So this month, I challenge you to the May Lifestyle challenge and see how it impacts you. Do you feel more productive? Or maybe just better knowing you’ve done something to grow yourself and others?

Please share your thoughts in the comments! I’d love to hear them!

Thank you all so much for reading! And I’ll see you in the next one!