How to Reset Your Life

Co-authored by Guy Reichard and Amy Bobinger

Last Updated: February 13, 2023 References

If you feel like you're stuck in a rut or you're just not happy with the way things are going, you might want to shake things up. Hitting the reset button on your life might seem like a lot of work, but taking a few small steps at a time can lead to some big changes. And remember—recognizing that you need a change is a big step on its own, so you're already well on your way to a fresh start!

1

Envision the life you want.

Think about what you really want from the future. If you can see the way you'd like your new life to be, you'll be more likely to get there. Be as specific as you can about what you want, but don't be afraid to change your vision if you find yourself pulled in a new direction.^{[1]
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- Spend time every day picturing yourself living your dream, including how you'll feel when you have the life you want. Visualizing your goals can give you a lot of power toward accomplishing them—and it will also help you be very clear on what goals are the most important to you.^{[2]
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- Start by thinking about the big picture, then gradually work out more details.

2

Determine your core values.

Ask yourself if your life is aligned with those values. Your core values are the beliefs and convictions that guide your thoughts and behaviors throughout your life. Most people have about five to seven core values.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Guy Reichard
Executive Life Coach
Expert Interview. 19 March 2020.} To figure out what your core values are, think about what you really stand for. Then, ask yourself if your life reflects those beliefs.^{[4]
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- If one of your values is spending time with your family but your job makes you miss important milestones and special occasions, you might take a look at whether you're really satisfied with your career.
- Although these values are things you believe deeply, they do change over time. If you're doing a reset on your life, it might be time to reconsider what's most important to you.

3

Set clear goals for what you want to accomplish.

Make sure your goals are SMART. That stands for specific, measurable, achievable, results-oriented, and time-bound. If your goals meet all of these criteria, you'll be more likely to accomplish them than you would if you just have a vague idea of things you'd like to do "someday."^{[5]
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- Think about what could possibly stand in your way as you're working toward your goals, then plan how you're going to overcome those obstacles.

4

Break your goals into actionable steps.

Start with things you can do right away. Don't get overwhelmed by focusing too much on your end goal. Instead, think about specific steps you need to take to achieve those goals. That way, you can stay focused on what you need to do next, and it will be easier to keep progressing.^{[6]
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Research source} You'll also feel more encouraged when you see yourself knocking down smaller goals on the path to your larger ones.^{[7]
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- Include incentives and rewards for yourself for making changes. For example, if you are quitting smoking, take the money you used to spend on cigarettes and treat yourself to a new blouse, a nice outing, or dinner with a friend.

5

Let go of things that don't bring joy to your life.

Look at your life, considering each element one by one. You can even write each thing down on a piece of paper if you like. Think about your possessions, the situations you're in, and even the people in your life. Does each item bring you joy? If the answer is no, consider how you can get rid of it.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Guy Reichard
Executive Life Coach
Expert Interview. 19 March 2020.}
- This can apply to everything from whether to keep a certain shirt to whether to keep participating in an activity you used to love. Be objective—even something that used to bring you joy may no longer serve that purpose.
- Of course, we'll always have obligations in life that are less enjoyable than others. However, if anything in your life constantly makes you feel depleted or overwhelmed, it's worth really considering how much energy you put into it.

6

Take some time to clear your mind.

Set aside some quiet time to reflect each day. The world is noisy and busy, and it's all too easy to fill your entire day with email, social media, TV, music, and chatting. However, it's really important that you take some time during the day to shut out all the noise, especially when you're trying to reset your life. During that time, reflect on your goals and priorities, and what you're doing—or should be doing—to reach those.^{[9]
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- For instance, you might take 15 minutes at the start and end of the day and just enjoy some quiet time to yourself.
- Some people enjoy relaxing activities like yoga and meditation, or you might prefer to just have a cup of coffee in a quiet spot.

7

Focus on your physical health.

Take the opportunity to make yourself a priority. When you're resetting your life, think about whether you're fueling your body with foods that make you feel good, or if you're just eating for convenience and to please your tastebuds. Also, try to fit in time for an activity you enjoy at least a few times a week. You'll be more likely to stick to it if you find something you like doing, instead of simply telling yourself you need to exercise more.^{[10]
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- For example, you might take a walk around the block when the weather is nice, or you could meet up with friends for a stroll through the park. You might also play a sport you enjoy, take a dance class, or take up cycling.
- When you feel good physically, it's a lot easier to make clear decisions about what you want out of life. In addition, you'll feel more confident—and therefore more empowered to make good decisions.

8

Clean your environment.

Declutter your space to improve your thinking. Planning a reset is the perfect time for some spring cleaning. Living in a cluttered, messy space can really impact how you feel about your whole life. Get rid of anything you don't need anymore, and organize the space so it works around how you use it.^{[11]
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- When the physical space around you is tidy, it will be a lot easier to focus on other changes you want to make in your life. You'll also feel better about yourself!

9

Surround yourself with supportive people.

Put energy into relationships that make you feel good. When you're doing a whole-life refresh, think about the people in your life. If there are any people who always make you feel uplifted and put you in a good mood when they're around, reach out to them more often. Even just a quick call or text can help give you a boost when you need it most.^{[12]
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- You can't always avoid people who bring a toxic energy into your life. However, you can choose to limit how much time you spend around those people.
- When you find yourself feeling overwhelmed with worries, reach out to some of these supportive people—they can help you get some perspective on what's bothering you.^{[13]
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10

Get out of your comfort zone.

Push yourself to try new things. It's hard to reset your life if you just keep doing the same things you're used to. Even little changes, like checking out a new restaurant or museum, can help you get a new perspective on things. Getting out of a rut will give you more confidence and help you feel more creative, too.^{[14]
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- Don't be afraid to make bigger changes, though—take that class you've been wanting to try, or print up business cards for that side hustle you've been dreaming about. If you're afraid to fail, you'll never take the chance that could lead you to big success.

11

Start breaking bad habits.

Learn alternatives to unhealthy behaviors. Everybody has a few bad habits, and chances are that you already know what yours are. Things like smoking, drinking to excess, overeating, and not getting enough exercise can all undermine your attempts to reset your life. Don't get too down on yourself, though—the way to address these is through positive behavior change, rather than through guilt, fear, or regret.^{[15]
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Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public
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- For example, rather than feeling guilty about not exercising more, decide to include 20 minutes of walking four days per week.
- Don't quit just because you slip up—habits are hard to break! If you need to, start by cutting back gradually until you're able to give up the habit completely.^{[16]
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12

Keep a gratitude journal.

Write down something you're grateful for every day. Sometimes resetting your life is as simple as changing your mindset. This can be a simple but powerful way to do that. One way to do this is to get in the habit of reflecting on what you're thankful for at the end of each day. If you write them down, you can then read back through your journal when you're feeling discouraged.^{[17]
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Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public
Go to source}
- When you look for the positive things around you, you're actually more likely to see them. This can help you start to see your situation in a fresh way, and it may give you the boost you need to reset your priorities.

13

Learn to challenge your negative thoughts.

Try to replace them with something positive, instead. If you notice yourself having a negative thought about a person, place, or thing, turn that thought around. It takes practice, but try to follow that negative thought with a positive observation about the same person, place or thing. You'll notice that when you have a brighter outlook, it will affect more areas of your life than you expected.^{[18]
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- For example, if you're going to visit your mother-in-law, rather than attending to the fact that her cooking is always lousy, remember that you'll be able to spend time in her lovely garden.
- Apply this to the way you think about yourself, too. For instance, if you make a mistake, don't tell yourself, "I never get anything right." Instead, think, "I can learn from this and do better next time."

14

Reflect on the past but don't dwell on it.

Look for lessons in past mistakes, but let go of regret. Whether you find yourself rehashing bitter experiences or ruminating on the "good old days," your life is what it is today, and it's important to accept that. If you continue to dwell on past experiences, it will block you from moving forward.^{[19]
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Expert Source

Guy Reichard
Executive Life Coach
Expert Interview. 19 March 2020.} Instead, reflect on things you've been through. Ask yourself whether there are any insights you can take from those experiences that might help you avoid repeating mistakes in the future.^{[20]
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- For example, you might find that you're overextended because you have a hard time saying no to people when they ask you to do things for them. Instead of getting down on yourself about that, resolve that you'll start practicing better boundaries with others.^{[21]
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15

Forgive yourself and others.

Let go of any resentment you're holding onto. Resentment—whether it's towards yourself or others—drains your energy without serving any good purpose. If you've been holding a grudge, a reset is a perfect chance to examine your part of that resentment. Then, let it go.^{[22]
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- Being the victim of other people's past actions means putting your happiness into another person's hands, whether they know it or not.
- It can help to talk to another person about your resentments. Sometimes another person can offer insights that you can't see on your own.

16

Remember that endings aren't always bad.

Don't be afraid to say goodbye. A reset is a chance to clean up overloaded agendas. Your time is valuable. To do what you want to do, let go of things, people and situations that no longer serve you. Don't be afraid of change—you might just have something amazing waiting just around the corner!^{[23]
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- If you are happier and more satisfied in your life, you'll be more present for the people and situations you choose to keep in your life.

Expert Q&A

Question

Is it possible to restart your life?

Guy Reichard
Life Coach
Guy Reichard is an Executive Life Coach and the Founder of HeartRich Coaching & Training, a professional life coaching and inner leadership training provider based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He works with people to create more meaning, purpose, well-being, and fulfillment in their lives. Guy has over 10 years of personal growth coaching and resilience training experience, helping clients enhance and transform their inner worlds, so they can be a more positive and powerful influence on those they love and lead. He is an Adler Certified Professional Coach (ACPC), and is accredited by the International Coach Federation. He earned a BA in Psychology from York University in 1997 and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from York University in 2000.

Guy Reichard

Life Coach

Expert Answer

Yes, but take it one step at a time. Start with just a few of the most important goals that will help you feel like you have more control over your life. If you stretch yourself too thin, it will be harder to hit your targets.