My Monthly Review Ritual. Every month, I carve out a quiet…

My Monthly Review Ritual

Every month, I carve out a quiet morning (usually the last Friday morning of the month) with a cup of tea, my notes app, and a mindset of curiosity — not criticism nor judgment.

Monthly reviews aren’t about checking boxes or scolding myself for “not doing enough.”

They’re about pausing to notice: Am I living the life I want to live? Am I choosing what matters, or letting life choose for me?

This month, the answer crystallized into one sentence that’s become my anchor: I’m tuning to living the life line I want, I choose to.

If you’re curious, I’ll walk you through how I unpacked that, the moments that stuck, the wins I’m proud of, and the shifts that are reshaping how I show up.

You can get my monthly review (+ weekly review) template here.

A Book That Shifted My Perspective

No monthly review is complete without a recommendation that’s been lingering in my thoughts — and this month, it’s Reality Transurfing.

For anyone who’s ever felt like life is a constant battle against “what is,” this book is a gentle nudge to remember that we have more control over our “reality track” than we think.

It aligns perfectly with my theme of choosing my life line: instead of chasing or struggling, Transurfing talks about “gliding” with the flow of what you want, trusting that your focus and choices carve the path. It’s not about passivity; it’s about intentionality.

I’ve been dog-earing pages about “importance” (how attaching too much urgency to things creates resistance) and “outer intention” (letting the universe meet you halfway when you’re clear on what you want).

If you’re tired of feeling like you’re burnout “swimming upstream,” give it a read.

Moments to Hold Close: The “Unproductive” Magic

One of my favorite parts of the review is jotting down Things I Choose to Remember — the small, glittering moments that don’t show up on a to-do list but make life feel full.

This month, those moments were all about connection, joy, and proof that the “good stuff” isn’t about grand plans:

Some examples from my own monthly review:

· This month, I made dumplings with Grandma Bao — that taste is irreplaceable. It’s not just the crunch of fresh veggies or the perfect balance of seasonings; it’s the way she laughed when I messed up the pleats, the warmth of her hands guiding mine, and the smell of steam filling her kitchen. It’s a flavor wrapped in love — something no restaurant could ever replicate. I left her house with a belly full of dumplings and a heart full of gratitude for these unhurried, messy, perfect moments with her.

· A TV drama and the Magic of Creation: I binged a show this month, and I’m still reeling from how amazing it was. What stuck with me wasn’t just the plot — it was the feeling of witnessing something created with so much care. Every scene, every line, every little detail felt intentional, and it made me marvel at the power of human creativity. It’s a reminder that creating — whether it’s a show, a blog, a meal, or even a memory — isn’t just about the end product; it’s about the passion poured into it. That “wow, someone made this” feeling? It’s addictive.

· Investment Portfolio Wins (for My Soul): I received more stories of students living off their investment portfolios this month, and it hit me like a gentle push: Yes, it is possible. It’s not about getting rich quick; it’s about building something steady, something that gives me the freedom to choose how I spend my time. These stories from clients weren’t about flashy numbers — they were about ordinary people who stuck to their plans, trusted the process, and now get to live life on their terms. It’s a quiet motivation that sits in the back of my mind, keeping me focused on my own journey.

etc.

Proud of Myself: Celebrating the “Small” Wins That Feel Big

Next, I make a “success list” — not the kind that’s measured by others, but the kind that makes me think, “Hey, I did that.”

· Nailed a trip planning! From booking tickets to picking restaurants, it all went smoothly with my fam.

· Able to pay for the trip.

· Effortless work days (I worked 15 days this month). No burnout, no stress — just focused work that felt good. I used to think “productivity” meant working 12-hour days, but now I know it’s about working smart and happy.

· Realized my right to freedom of choice. This was a big one. I stopped letting “shoulds” dictate my decisions — what I “should” work on, what I “should” care about — and started choosing what feels true to me. Freedom isn’t something you wait for; it’s something you claim.

· Sold out the Freedom portfolio course again this batch!!! Woohoo!

The Honest Part

Monthly reviews aren’t all sunshine and dumplings — there’s the messy, honest part too.

This month, I felt a little stuck: “I’m living seriously, but when I look back, I’m just doing miscellaneous things. There’s no main thread — one minute I’m working on my business, the next I’m planning a trip, then I’m learning about investments. I’m busy, but it feels like I have nothing to show for it.”

At first, this made me feel anxious. Am I being unfocused? Am I wasting time? But then I realized: life isn’t a single thread — it’s a tapestry. All these “miscellaneous” things are the threads that make up my life: love, work, growth, joy.

They don’t have to fit into a neat “main goal” to be meaningful. Maybe the “main thread” is just… living intentionally. That thought took a weight off my shoulders. It’s okay to be multifaceted, to pursue different things, to not have everything figured out. Progress doesn’t have to be linear — it just has to be yours.

Life Line Choosing

One of the biggest reflections this month was about my “life line” — the guiding principle that shapes my choices. I’ve always respected (a famous influencer) and his emphasis on hustle, but this month, I realized that’s not my path. My life line is effortless.

Effortless doesn’t mean lazy — it means aligned. It means trusting the flow instead of forcing things. It means choosing YouTube channels about stocks that feel fun, not “productive.” It means writing a blog because I love it, not because I “should” grow a following.

I’m learning to trust that when I follow what feels easy (in the best way — like, “this lights me up” easy), I’m still moving forward. Hustle works for some people, but it drains me. So I’m choosing my own flow — and it feels like coming home.

Need to Release

There is a desire that I want most right now.

I’m balancing that desire by releasing it a little — by trusting that the goal will come when the time is right, and until then, I’m going to enjoy the journey. Desire is good, but obsession? It takes away from the present. So I’m letting go of the urgency and holding onto the faith.

Decision to Ponder:

One practical decision I’m sitting with: should I rent out my property?

Grateful List

I end every monthly review with gratitude — because no matter how chaotic or unfulfilled I feel, there’s always so much to be thankful for. This month, my heart is full for:

· My parents — for their endless love, their silly stories, and the way they make even a simple lunch feel like a celebration.

· Love — for the people who make life feel warm and connected.

· Everything I have now — the roof over my head, the food on my plate, the freedom to choose my days.

· Etc.

Wrapping Up: Why Monthly Reviews Matter

This month’s review taught me something simple but profound: life isn’t about being “productive” or “focused” or “perfect.” It’s about being present. It’s about celebrating the dumplings with Grandma, the effortless workdays.

It’s about owning the messy, miscellaneous moments and trusting that they’re all part of the journey.

You can get my monthly review template here.

If you’ve never done a monthly review, I encourage you to try it. It doesn’t have to be fancy — just grab a notebook (or a blank document) and write down what you want to remember, what you’re proud of, what’s bothering you, and what you’re grateful for. It’s a way to honor your life — to say, “This mattered. I mattered.”

Here’s to next month — more dumplings, more flow, more moments that make my heart feel full. And to you — may your next month be filled with little bits of magic, too.