Best 30-Day Challenge Ideas to Improve Your Mom Life

If you are here, you probably like challenges as much as most people do. And I am not surprised because challenges have become more popular during the last years. That’s why I have put together a list of the best 30-day challenge ideas to improve your life.

Here, I am giving you twelve monthly challenges to keep you covered for an entire year!

But first, let’s learn more about challenges…

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What’s a challenge?

For the purpose of this blog post, a challenge is something that you need or want to do that may be somewhat difficult to achieve.

The difficulty of the challenge depends on the:

• Nature of the challenge: this is what the challenge wants you to do or what the challenge is about.
• Length of the challenge: in this case, each challenge should last for a month but in general, challenges can take minutes, days, weeks, or even a year.
• Skills you have: depending on your skills, background, and personality some challenges may be easier for you than others.
• Expected outcome: this is what you should achieve once a challenge is completed (the results or transformation).
• Requirements: some challenges require more time, effort, and involvement than others.

Types of challenges

Challenges have become so popular that you can pretty much find a challenge for everything.

As with anything else, there are negative challenges (and even dangerous ones) such as the Tide Pod challenge, the Snorting challenge, or exiting a moving car to do the In My Feelings (Kiki) Challenge.

Fortunately, there are positive challenges that you can follow. These challenges include funny ones, such as the lip sync challenge…and the ones that help you improve something in your life.

And that’s exactly what this post is all about.

Why challenges may be good for you

The increase in popularity of the challenges is in part because of the benefits that people find behind those challenges.

Let’s talk about different reasons as to why challenges may be good for you:

• Being part of a group

We all like the feeling of being part of something which can be a team, group, or community. Challenges give people just that. The sense of being part of a group with like-minded people.

• Feeling of excitement

Trying a new challenge produces the same feelings as trying things that you like for the first time. You are excited about the challenge itself and the expected results.

• Keeps you motivated

When you like the challenge, it keeps motivating you to achieve the expected results.

• Produces satisfaction

No matter how big or small the challenge is, completing challenges usually gives people a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

• Helps you build confidence

Completing challenges usually gives people a sense of strength, confidence, and motivation to achieve even more things. If that’s your case, take advantage of these feelings and go for it!

Helpful Tips to Keep in Mind Before Starting These 30-Day Challenge Ideas

Focus on the challenges, not in the order – These challenges are scheduled based on what made sense to me, the seasons, and the nature of the challenge. However, feel free to complete them in a way that works best for you.

Keep doing the challenge longer if needed – Even though I am providing you a list of 30-day challenge ideas, the challenge doesn’t have to end once the month is over. For example, you may want to continue the Savings Challenge to start an emergency account, save for the holidays, or birthday gifts.

Any improvement counts – I am a firm believer that there’s always room for improvement and a small improvement is still an improvement. Just don’t feel the pressure to complete all the challenges. You may not be interested in all the challenges or you may not need to improve that particular area in your life. Either way, skip that challenge and move onto the next one or continue working on a challenge that you already completed.

Focus on the results – As you know, the purpose of these challenges is to improve your life. Because of that, I don’t want you to be frustrated. Instead, do the best you can and focus on your progress.

12 Best 30-Day Challenge Ideas to Improve Your Life

This list of 30-day challenge ideas gives you a challenge for every single month. I organized it by month just to make it easier for you, but you don’t have to do it in that specific order.

Are you ready?

Let the challenge begin!

1. Goal Setting Challenge in January

This is a free 7-day email challenge that I have created. It’s listed as the first challenge because January is normally when people think about setting goals (or New Year’s resolutions).

But, you don’t have to wait until the New Year to start. It’s actually better, and recommended, to start now. Plus, in this challenge, I’ll help you identify, plan, and set your short-term goals. Join the free goal setting challenge.

2. Savings Challenge in February

It’s time to save money! For the purpose of this savings challenge, set $5 aside every single day so at the end of the month you can have a total of $150. In twelve months, you can have a total of $1,800 saved.

You can save more with this challenge if you want to. One option is to increase the daily contribution. Instead of saving $5 per day, what about saving $10 or maybe $20?

Another option is to gradually increase your daily contribution. For example, during the first week of the month, you may save $5 per day. Then, in the second week, increase your contribution to $7.

The key for this savings challenge is to first, determine the purpose of the money saved and then, establish the amount of money needed to achieve that goal.

As I mentioned before, you may want to save that money to start an emergency account, get birthday gifts, or to cover for your kids’ school-related activities.

3. Declutter Challenge in March

March is immediately associated with nice weather, spring cleaning, and school’s spring break. Therefore, this is the perfect time for a declutter challenge.

Since clutter can cause allergies, stress, and even put you in a bad mood, this challenge is perfect for this series of 30-day challenges to improve your life.

Commit to decluttering one area for a month. The closets and drawers are two popular areas to declutter but don’t forget to include other areas too such as bookshelves, car, and garage. Plus, don’t forget that toy box which magically grows over time!

Once you are done with this 30-day challenge, you may want to re-schedule it every quarter or at least twice a year to avoid accumulating too much clutter.

4. 10,000 Steps Challenge in April

It’s time to be more active with a fitness challenge! In this case, you need to reach 10,000 steps every day.

Why 10,000 steps?

Because that’s the recommended number of steps to keep you active and healthy. But, of course, there are additional actions that you should also take to stay healthy.

If this is your first time doing this 30-day challenge, don’t let the number of steps stop you! It may sound impossible but it’s absolutely doable. Plus, it gets easier over time.

Just keep in mind that for this challenge you will need to track your daily steps. Another option is to download an app but that will only work if you carry your phone at all times.

Either way, it’s time to move and track your steps!

5. Water Drinking Challenge in May

Drinking enough water is always difficult for many people including me. That’s the reason why I included this water drinking challenge. However, before starting this challenge, you need to calculate the amount of water that you need to drink every day.

It’s okay if you don’t like math because it’s a very easy and simple calculation.  Just get your weight and divide it by two. That total is the number of ounces that you need to drink daily.

After calculating how much water you need, make sure to work on this habit daily!

6. Reading Challenge in June

Summertime is the perfect time for a reading challenge. Even though, sometimes it’s hard to find time aside from the responsibilities, let’s make the point to read this month.

The goal of this 30-day challenge is to read two books this month. Make sure to schedule a minimum of 30 minutes every day to avoid falling behind. By the way, check out this list of books to get you started.

Want to read more? Instead of reading every day for 30 minutes, schedule an hour and finish one book per week!

Related: Encourage your kids to read too with these reading logs

7. Fun Activities Challenge in July

Take advantage that your kids are out of school and enjoy this Fun Activities Challenge. After all, I am pretty sure that your kids will like it too!

During the entire month, have indoor and outdoor family activities. Choose a different activity every day such as crafts, sports, board games, etc. Make sure to choose a variety of activities to keep all family members happy.

8. Journal Challenge in August

Journaling has become pretty popular. You can find many videos on YouTube that teach you how to journal. You can start a journal on anything that you want: frequent ideas, a summary of your day, or anything else that you prefer.

As UJ Ramdas said in an interview, journaling is like a toothbrush for your brain. You are pretty much dumping the information from your brain to your journal. It may sound basic or even silly, but journaling helps you in different areas including your mindset and well-being.

The best part is that you don’t have to spend too much time doing it. Ten or fifteen minutes is more than enough.

For this 30-day challenge, get ready to write!

9. Zero-Spending Challenge in September

September is the perfect month for a zero-spending challenge.

That will give your pocket a relief after back to school shopping done last month. Plus, it gives you a break before Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The purpose of a zero-spending challenge is, well… that. Not to spend any money this month which should help you save money too.

It’s normally used to reduce your spending on groceries but, for this 30-day challenge, pick an expense category where you are currently overspending or one that you would like to reduce or improve. For example, you may be spending too much on groceries, cosmetics, eating out, or buying clothes.

Pick a category and apply this zero-spending month to that category. Just keep in mind that after choosing a category, you may need to adjust other areas. If we use the example of not eating out for a month, you may have to cook more and plan your meals better.

But, here is something that I want you to keep in mind: Even if you can’t go the whole month without spending on that category you chose, cutting the spending amount in half is already an improvement!

10. Self-care Challenge in October

As a mom, you are probably taking care of everything and everyone, except for yourself. Therefore, this month is dedicated to you!

Many of us take our health for granted and don’t realize the importance of taking care of ourselves. But self-care has several benefits including reducing stress. That alone is a huge benefit!

This time you have 30 days to focus on yourself with this self-care challenge. No excuses allowed! 😊

In this case, think of indoor and outdoor activities that you like, make you relax, or entertain you. Don’t forget to add things that you have never done but have always wanted to do.

This would be a perfect challenge to continue even after the month is over.

11. Gratitude Challenge in November

With the month of November comes Thanksgiving and the gratitude challenge.

Even though many stores are fully decorated for Christmas right after back to school, it’s still important to stop for a moment and be grateful for what we have. Especially because gratitude helps us in different ways including an increase in happiness and better health.

To complete this 30-day challenge, spend a few minutes every day to write down a list of things that you are grateful for and positive things that happened that day. Write a minimum of five things (even though ten would be better) and avoid repeating the same reasons.

The best part is that at the end of the month, you should have at least 150 positive reasons to be grateful for.

12. Say Something Nice Challenge in December

There’s something about the holidays that make most people happy. That’s why this is the perfect time to add the Say Something Nice Challenge to the holiday festivities.

It shouldn’t be that hard, right?

Well, there’s a twist. Go the entire month without repeating a person AND stay outside of your comfort zone.

In other words, even though you may feel more comfortable saying something nice to your friends and family members, make sure that you also include strangers and those with who the relationships are not at its best.

Now, get ready to make this December extra special.

Bonus: Minimalism Challenge

If you skipped one of the challenges mentioned above, here is a minimalism challenge to complete in its place.

Some people take the word minimalism as a synonym for sacrifice, while others focus on the state of mind. And, that’s the direction that I prefer to take.

One of the reasons is because I am pretty sure that you already have a lot on your plate. Plus, as I said before, my goal is for you to improve your life and not to get frustrated.

Use this minimalism challenge to help you simplify different areas of your life throughout the month. There are different activities that help improve the state of mind. Some of these activities include meditation, yoga, and even reducing the use of technology.

Choose a combination of your favorite minimalism activities and enjoy your month!

Get ready to complete your first 30-day challenge

Now, you have a list of the best 30-day challenge ideas to improve your life for an entire year!

Keep in mind that to achieve better and long-lasting results, you need to keep working on the challenges longer than 30 days. But, these challenges should get you started in the right direction.

Now, it’s your turn. Which one of the challenges will you work on first? Let us know in the comments below…

Take care!

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