5 Things To Do Before 2020 | Getting Prepared (Skill Level: Easy)

There’s been a lot of talk about the new year and fresh starts on this blog recently, as I’m feeling really motivated for the future right now and thought I could put it to good use.

I feel like now is the perfect time to get yourself sorted for 2020. Taking some time out now to organise yourself for the upcoming year means you can really get into the festivities of this season when they arrive without having to worry about what will come after.

You can really take some time out to say goodbye to 2019 and give it your full attention if you get prepared now.

To make sure that both you and I have a brilliant festive season, I’ve come up with five  things that you should do to prepare for 2020.

These are some small tasks that I think will make such a difference to your life in 2020 and will make sure that your year will get off to a good start – but they are SO easy to do.

With these small tasks, your future self will thank you and you’ll be able to enjoy the bigger and more important events of the season without a worry.

1. CREATE A BUDGET 

This one does sound like quite a big task, so I’ll understand if you’re feeling slightly cheated by my title, but it doesn’t have to be.

I have mentioned a few times now that money is something I really need to focus on in 2020 (I said this about 2019 too…) and creating a budget for myself will make all the difference, yet I was very reluctant to do it.

However, just before writing this post I pushed myself and have managed to create a very basic but very useful budget for myself – and I kid you not it took less than 10 minutes.

I used this tool that I found on Pinterest (via a Youtube video) and it’s so simple to follow.

Creating a budget for yourself in 2020 is going to make achieving your goals much easier as it is a brilliant way to keep yourself on track.

2. SET UP AUTOMATED PAYMENTS

This step kind of goes hand-in-hand with the first one and it will make such a difference to your life in 2020.

Setting up payments to transfer or be paid automatically from your bank account will ensure that you won’t ever miss a bill and will instead be able to spend your time focusing on something else.

It is very easy to set up automated payments if you use online banking and most of the time it can be done from your bank’s app – so you don’t even have to move from your chair while making big changes to your life!

If you don’t  use online banking, try to get down to your local bank branch on your next free weekend to speak to a cashier. They will be able to set up some direct debits and standing orders within minutes for you on their system.

When setting up automated payments, make sure that you are thinking about your saving goals or any experiences you have coming up in 2020. You can set up standing orders to go between your own accounts to make sure that there’ll be cash going into your savings on a regular basis.

3. CREATE A LIST OF ‘WEEKEND ADVENTURES’

This idea may be less practical, but I can assure you it’s going to come in useful throughout 2020.

Take some time to research your local area and write a list of all the places you want to go, the cafes you want to try out, and any upcoming events that spark your curiosity.

No matter where you are based, there is bound to be some form of community event or coffee shop that you’ve wanted to check out but have never go round to it.

Make 2020 the year for trying new things and being a tourist in your own home.

Most of the events within a town or city will be free to attend, so there really is no reason any of us should be bored in the new year!

4. PLAN AN EVENT OR TRIP 

Once you have considered the various events that are going on around you in the new year, try to make at least one solid plan to attend something.

Alternatively, you could use this time to plan and book a holiday for 2020 or research any events, shows or concerts that are coming up new year that you’d like to attend.

It is all well and good coming up with ideas of things to do, but it’ll not be worth your time if you don’t also makes plans to go along with them.

Text your friends, ask your siblings, or brave going it alone and schedule some time for you to do the things you want in 2020. It will give you something to look forward to in the upcoming year and can also be a good push to help you save money, as you know it will be needed soon.

5. CLEAN AND REORGANISE YOUR SPACE

This is something I talked about in my last post, but nothing says ‘fresh start’ like making some local changes.

Before the hustle and bustle of the holidays kicks in, take some time to clean your home or room. Make sure everything is clear and clean – even do some decluttering if you feel like it.

Then, once your space it clean, try to rearrange it in anyway you can to give it that fresh start feeling.

This is something I have done recently in my bedroom and it didn’t require moving furniture or spending money. I’ve simply changed some framed pictures are on my shelves, rearranged some decor, and added a lamp to my desk.

These are minor changes that didn’t take more than an evening to complete but it has made such a difference to my space and my motivation.

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What are you going to do to prepare for the new year?

Speak soon,

Rachael

Photo by Green Chameleon on Unsplash