Prompts

1. What would make October feel like a month well spent? Write down a few things you’d love to experience before November arrives.

2. What’s been occupying your mind lately? Give yourself some time to explore it on paper.

3. Make a list of things you’d like to do this fall. Think of places to visit, new experiences, books to read and things to learn.

4. Look at yesterday’s list. Pick one thing that’s feasible, and you’d genuinely love to do and plan how you could make it happen this month.

5. What are you looking forward to most over the next few months? Write a list.

6. Plan a solo date for yourself this month. Where would you go, and what would you like to do?

7. Make a list of four things you’ve been curious about lately. Pick one to explore each week in October. It could be a new film genre, a subject you’ve always wanted to learn about or something you’ve been meaning to try.

8. Create a moodboard or wishlist for fall. Include places, interiors, outfits, books, activities and anything else inspiring you.

9. Look at your moodboard from yesterday. Is there anything on it you could bring into your life over the next couple of weeks?

10. Think of three people you’d love to spend more time with. What could you plan together?

11. What’s something you’ve seen, read or experienced recently that’s stayed with you?

12. If you could redesign your everyday life to make it more interesting, what would you change? Think about how you spend your time, the places you go and the things you make time for.

13. What’s an experience you’ve had that you’d love to relive? Write about what made it so special.

14. What spaces inspire you? Think of your favourite cafés, libraries, museums, hotels or corners of your home. What do they have in common?

15. What’s something you’d love to become knowledgeable about? Make a list of books, podcasts, courses or other resources that could help you explore it.

16. Choose one resource from yesterday’s list and spend some time with it. What did you learn, and what would you like to explore next?

17. What are your favourite things to eat fall? Make a list of recipes you’d like to try - I love recipes, they’re perfect for fall.

18. Is there anything in your life that feels like it’s taking up more space than it deserves? What would you rather spend that time and energy on?

19. Make a list of the little things that have made your days more enjoyable recently. Which of them could you do more often?

20. Design your ideal fall evening. Think about what you’d cook, what you’d read or watch.

21. What’s one thing you’ve started doing recently that you’d like to keep up with? What would help you make it part of your routine?

22. Write about a time you did something that initially felt outside your comfort zone. What did the experience teach you?

23. What’s something you’d love to make more room for in your life? Think about your interests, relationships, experiences and personal projects.

24. Make a playlist for the month ahead. Choose songs that remind you of places you’ve been, people you love or experiences you want to have.

25. What is something you believe now that you didn’t believe five years ago? What changed your mind?

26. Make a list of 10 things you want to remember about your life right now.

27. What’s something you’ve discovered recently that you wish you’d found sooner?

28. Think about the experiences you’ve had this month so far. What’s something new you’ve discovered about yourself, your city or your interests?

29. What are three experiences you’d love to have before the month ends? Write down one practical step towards each.

30. Imagine looking back on October a year from now. What would you love to remember about this month?

31. Look back at your entries from the beginning of October. Have any of your priorities or plans changed? What are you taking into November?

Wishing you a lovely month ahead!

Coincidentally, I couldn’t escape the videos about locking in for the last three months of the year, and personally, I resonate with this because it gives you momentum going into the new year. You get to December 31st feeling confident, having proven to yourself over the last three months that you can actualize your goals.

But I was a bit confused about how to go about it this year. I started scribbling, and I came up with a way to compartmentalize, but also visually see where I was, where I want to be, and what I need to do to close that gap.

So, if you’re struggling to visualize your next steps, I hope this is useful.

Guide

1. Start with one specific area of your life. I recommend using this for a specific area so you’re able to deep-dive on the issue, rather than trying to overhaul your entire life at once. In the end, you might have 2–3 maps looking at different areas of your life.

2. Who am I now? Start by writing down who you are in relation to the focus area, not who you are in general. What does your life look like in this area right now? What are you doing? How do you feel? For example: who are you at work? With family?

3. Who do I want to be? For the next three months, think about what you’d like to see from yourself in this area. What does that look like? Be realistic, because we ultimately want to achieve these things. Think about the version of yourself you’d like to meet at the end of these three months.

4. What is the gap? Now, identify the gap between where you are and where you want to be. What are the bottlenecks? What’s preventing you from getting from A to B? This is where you should be really honest about what’s getting in the way.

5. What do I want to create? I added this as a place to think about the intangibles. Outside of the concrete things you can do to fill the gap, what are some of the more idealistic, emotional, and aspirational things that’ll support you on that journey? What type of environment do you want to create? How do you want to feel?

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This semester, I’m not going back to school, but I’ve spent my last few Septembers gearing up for classes, applications, interviews and networking, so I feel well-versed in navigating and making the most of this opportunity for a mini reset, so here’s my:

Reset Recipe

1. Get Your Calendar Together

Put every important date in one place: classes, deadlines, exams, work deadlines, applications, events, travel and holidays. This sounds so simple, but once the semester starts, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, so it helps to be ahead of the chaos.

2. Learn How to Read Strategically

I’m the boss & CEO of looking at a reading list for class and ignoring it <3 unless it was absolutely essential and I would be questioned on it in a seminar/recitation.

Don’t be like me. Do your reading!

And now, there are so many ways to do it effectively. You can turn a reading into text-to-speech and listen on your commute or throughout the day. We’re doing a disservice to ourselves if we don’t read at least one essential thing from a class every week. If you build those habits early, it can only become easier.

5. Create a Weekly Planning System

At the start of each week, figure out your 3–5 most important priorities, block out time for deep work and identify anything you need to prepare for. Don’t let your to-do list become a list of 30 things you vaguely hope to do.

6. Stop Relying on Motivation

Build routines that make doing the work easier. Have designated study/work blocks, keep your phone on airplane mode during deep work, and create a consistent place/environment where you do focused work.

7. Start Networking Before You Need Something

Talk to people whose careers or work genuinely interest you. Ask thoughtful questions, learn from them and follow up. Don’t wait until you’re applying for a job to start building relationships.

→ Coffee Chat Track

Coffee Chat Tracker

19.2KB ∙ XLSX file

Download

Download

I made a tracker to keep a list of who I’ve spoken to, what I learned, follow-ups and new connections, because if I don’t write it down, I will absolutely forget.

8. Keep a Running “Wins” Document

One of the best habits to take from university into work is documenting your achievements as they happen. Projects, good feedback, presentations, papers, grades, milestones, problems you solved.

You will thank yourself when it’s time to update your CV or prepare for a performance review.

→ Wins Tracker

Wins & Growth Tracker

27.6KB ∙ XLSX file

Download

Download

9. Get Your Finances in Order

Know your monthly income and expenses, check your savings/investments and set a few financial goals for the year.

Being a student, juggling university with jobs and trying to survive can be daunting, but don’t bury your head in the sand. The more visibility you have over your finances, the better you’ll feel on a day-to-day basis.

12. Decide What You’re Leaving Behind

The final part of a reset is deciding what you aren’t taking into the new season. Whether it’s habits that aren’t serving you, perfectionism, saying yes to everything, procrastinating until the last minute, whatever it is, try to confront it while you audit your habits and come up with a tangible plan to address it.

I’ve been terrible at responding to texts and keeping in touch over the past few years, so I’ve put rules in place for myself and time blocks in my calendar to ensure it’s something I prioritise.

Wishing you the best of luck in this new season!

Naturally, that means it’s time for something new. A new energy. A new way of looking at our lives. July is always a mini-reset for me, a return to myself, a chance to sketch out my wildest dreams. I hope we can reflect together and transform our every day this month.

You can combine prompts, especially in the first week, for deeper reflections, or take them day by day. By the end of July, you’ll have not only a beautiful collection of words, thoughts and ephemera, but a game plan for approaching the rest of the year from a practical and intentional place.

Week One

Day 1. Describe what your life has looked like for the past six months: your daily habits, routines, work life, study life, friends, family. No detail is too small.

Day 2. What has made life feel full? What has made it feel empty?

Day 3. In the last six months, describe three moments that made you feel your best and three that made you feel far from it. What made the difference?

Day 4. What challenges have you overcome this year that felt impossible? What did you learn?

Day 5. Write a letter as yourself from last July. What did your life look like then?

Day 6. Write a gratitude list for everything you’re grateful for in the last six months.

Day 7. Review your spending from January to July. What are you happy with, and what would you like to change?

Week Two

Day 8. Describe a few things that make you feel fearful e.g. about life, about the future.

Day 9. What has been difficult to process this month and why?

Day 10. Write stream of consciousness. Start with writing about your day and let your mind take you from there.

Day 11. Who do you admire and why? What qualities do they embody?

Day 12. What are your favourite qualities about yourself?

Day 13. Write a list of things that bring you joy. How can you create more of this feeling?

Day 14. Write a list of things you need more of in your life and why.

Day 15. Write a list of mantras or affirmations to revisit throughout the year, for when you need an extra dose of motivation.

Week Three

Day 16. Name three things that have made you happy in July so far, and three that have made you less so.

Day 17. Write out your current daily routine. How do you feel at the end of the day? How would you like to feel?

Day 18. What parts of your routine have you stuck to, and what have you let go?

Day 19. Find ephemera (photos, receipts, tickets, dried flowers, stickers) create a narrative around the object. Do this as many times as you’d like throughout the month.

Day 20. Write a commonplace entry on a book, film or article you’ve loved recently and what it taught you.

Day 21. Write a list of your favourite songs and films right now, and why.

Day 22. Write three quotes that inspire you to live a full life. Take inspiration from books, films and people.

Week Four

Day 23. Write a letter as yourself in December, detailing how you would like your life to look. Write in present tense.

Day 24. What are your hopes and aspirations for the next six months?

Day 25. Write a list of everything you want to achieve this year. Don’t limit yourself.

Day 26. Who do you want to become this year and why?

Day 27. Plan your perfect day, describe exactly what it looks like and how you feel.

Day 28. Write about a conversation you’ve had recently that stayed with you. Why did it matter?

Day 29. What do you want to say no to in the second half of the year, and what do you want to say yes to?

Day 30. What would you do this year if you weren't afraid?

Day 31. Write about someone you've been meaning to reach out to and why you haven't.

See you next month and happy journaling!

As a new year starts and the months stretch out in front of me, and I think of all the exciting places I can take myself. For me, solo-travel isn’t just a chance to relax, and reset, it’s a chance to reconnect with my wants, uncover new dreams and fill myself with new depth.

In recent years, I’ve come to accept the mundanity of day to day life. Routines now feel refreshing and necessary, but if you’re craving discovery and adventure solo-travel is the perfect gateway to a new perspective on life. A couple years ago, I was pretty miserable at an old job, and someone told me it sounded like I needed to go on an adventure. I didn’t have a idea of what that looked like at the time, but I kept that thought in mind. Now, when I’m particularly down or uninspired, I tell myself “Aishat, you need to go on an adventure”.

Enough of the recipe pre-amble, let’s get into these tips:

1. Pick a space that makes you feel inspired & safe: I’m not sure if this is controversial, but the hotel/place I stay is the most important part of a solo-trip for me. When you’re alone it’s so important that the space you’re in serves as a vessel for inspiration and calm. As you wake in an unfamiliar city, you want to look out in front of you, and wonder how I can bring elements from this space into my real life? How can I recreate the beautiful scent in the room/lobby? How can I make bed at home more comfortable? How can I recreate this painting? To me, this is where the magic of a solo-trip lies, finding inspiration that allows you to tweak parts of your everyday life, to recreate the magic of the places you love.

2. Daily Rituals: In my video, I spoke about “easing” yourself into a solo-trip. I say this because the easiest part of a solo-trip is deciding to go. The real challenge starts once you get on a plane, and it’s just you! That reality can can be daunting. Earlier this year, I was on my way to Bali, with a layover in Qatar. Even though I had travelled by myself countless times, the reality that I was alone felt particularly clear on that layover, and I burst into tears while I sipped on a large coke. I truly understand the anxiety that comes with doing things alone.

   To ground myself in a new city, I usually find a cafe, a yoga/pilates class, a walking route, or an exhibition that I’m excited to try, and I make this the first activity on my itinerary. Things I would usually do at home to spark joy, also work abroad. It helps you recentre yourself and it gets you inspired & excited for a day of exploring ahead.

3. Be Practical: A boring yet important point that is a central tenant to a successful solo-trip. Starting with packing: you want this to be as efficient as possible! I recommend one tote and one carry-on for short trips / large (23kg) suitcase for further & longer trips. You’ll want to use packing cubes & some form of labelling. I use a mix of coloured cubes; my cream cubes = daytime clothes, my black cubes = evening clothes. I travel with this monos set, and it has made moving around considerably easier. The less stuff, the less worries, and the more room you have to shop!

You’ll need a universal charger, one that allows you to plug in all your chargers and USB/C ports. If you’re like me and you always forget to charge your portable, bringing out your universal means you can charge at cafes/restaurants easily. They’re abundant on amazon and last forever.

Location! I always share my location with my family and a couple of friends before I go on a trip. I’ll also send full details of my hotel booking as screenshots, so it’s easy for them to find the contact details of the hotels, it may be helpful to also share your itinerary.

These measures always make me feel better despite being alone, its comforting to know my family and friends have some idea where I am in case of emergency.

You’ll notice that I don’t mention Airbnb’s in this post. Personally, I don’t believe they’re a safe option when travelling alone in a new place. When you stay in a hotel, particularly a reputable property, there are several points of contact & ways to escalate a matter. Airbnb does not offer those protections so I actively avoid them!

4. Document: This is by-far one of my favorite parts of travelling alone. Daily journal entries with prompts like:

• A list of things that made me happy today

• A list of things I ate today that I want to recreate

• How can I bring this joy back home?

• What made me inspired on this trip?

• What did I hate about this trip?

• Do I like being alone?

Self-conversation starters that can help you understand your feelings on a trip, what you loved about it and how it has shifted your perspective. Using receipts from your days, collecting post-cards, small reminders of your trip and creating a narrative is a great way to remember why exactly you are on a solo-trip.

5. Do at least one thing that scares you: I’m not suggesting you endanger you life, but do something outside of your comfort. On every solo-trip, I would usually plan an early dinner, eat at my hotel or order room service. Going out to dinner was not an option for me, I was always concerned about safety and being judged.

   After my recent trip, I realised I was missing out on incredible restaurants, so I made a reservation for a table for one, and went to dinner! I was sat next to a group of girls, who definitely did judge me, but I had built myself up so much that I didn’t care. I ate my sushi, drank my coke and took a taxi home, feeling like the most confident person alive. In situations where I need a confidence boost I remind myself that, that version of me does exist.

These are the tips I live by - if you have any helpful tips, please let me know!

Wishing you the best travels ahead x

Aishat