Man, let me tell you about September 2021. That month, it was a real kicker for me, in a good way. Before that, I was just kind of floating, you know? Not really hitting my stride, feeling a bit sluggish, like I was stuck in a rut. My routine was all over the place, my energy levels were low, and honestly, I was just surviving, not thriving.
Hitting a Wall and Getting a Nudge
I remember it so clearly. August was wrapping up, and I just felt this deep sigh in my soul. My desk was a disaster, emails piled up, and my gym shoes hadn’t seen daylight in weeks. I kept thinking, “There’s gotta be more to this.” That’s when I stumbled onto this idea, this whole “unlock your best self” thing, kind of framed for September. It really spoke to me. I figured, what did I have to lose? I needed a change, badly. So, I decided right then and there, September was going to be my month to actually do something about it.
The Nitty-Gritty: My Action Plan
I didn’t just wish for it; I actually sat down and plotted it out. I grabbed a pen and paper, old-school style, and started jotting down what “my best self” even looked like. For me, it boiled down to three main areas: my physical well-being, my mental clarity, and getting my work life a bit more organized. Here’s what I set out to tackle:
- Physical Reboot: This was huge. I was eating takeout way too much and moving way too little. So, the first thing I committed to was cooking at home at least five nights a week. I started simple, just picking a few recipes I actually enjoyed. Then, I added walking. Every single morning, no excuses, rain or shine, I dragged myself out for a 30-minute walk. It was brutal at first, let me tell you. My legs ached, my brain screamed for more sleep, but I pushed through.
- Mental Declutter: My head felt like a messy attic. I decided to try journaling. Nothing fancy, just 10 minutes every evening before bed. I’d just dump whatever was on my mind onto the page. No judgment, no editing. Just get it out. This felt awkward for the first few days, but slowly, it started to feel like a pressure release valve.
- Workstation Overhaul: This one was almost embarrassing. My desk was buried. I spent a whole Saturday morning, like, four hours, just digging myself out. I sorted papers, cleaned out old coffee cups, organized my digital files, unsubscribed from a ton of junk email. It wasn’t just about cleaning; it was about creating a space where I could actually focus without feeling overwhelmed by visual clutter.
Pushing Through the Rough Patches
Now, don’t think for a second it was all smooth sailing. There were days, especially in the second week, when I just wanted to quit everything. I missed a walk one morning because I hit snooze too many times. I ordered pizza when I was supposed to be cooking. My journal entries sometimes felt like pure garbage. The old habits tried to creep back in. But I made a pact with myself: no shame, just restart. If I messed up, I wouldn’t beat myself up; I’d just get back on track the next meal, the next morning, the next task. That flexibility, that grace I gave myself, made all the difference.
I remember one afternoon, feeling so drained, thinking about just letting my desk go back to its natural state of chaos. But then I looked at the little sticky note I’d put up, just a simple “Keep Going,” and I chose to tackle one small thing instead: sorting just five emails. It wasn’t much, but it kept the momentum going, even if it was just a tiny crawl.
The Payoff: Feeling Unlocked
By the end of September, things were noticeably different. I wasn’t a completely different person, but I was definitely a better version of myself. My clothes fit a bit looser, I had more energy during the day, and sleeping felt deeper, more restorative. My head felt clearer, less burdened by endless thoughts, thanks to that nightly brain dump. My workspace actually felt inviting, not daunting. I wasn’t constantly searching for things, which saved so much mental energy.
It wasn’t about being perfect; it was about the small, consistent actions that added up. That month taught me that unlocking your best self isn’t some magical one-time event. It’s an ongoing process, a series of choices, big and small, that you make every single day. And knowing I pushed through that September, all those little steps, it gave me this huge boost of confidence. I felt capable. I felt like I had actually taken control of something important in my life. It was a good feeling, a really good feeling.
