Monthly Reset + Pantry Prep
The transition from the end of one month to the beginning of another has become a sacred practice for me. A time to reflect on the month behind me, what worked, what didn’t where I needed to better show up for myself and my family this coming month, and looking ahead with purpose and gratitude.
Each new month, I try to do a gentle home reset. Not a huge overhaul—just a few grounding rituals to set the tone for the weeks ahead.
Here’s what I include in my Monthly Reset + Pantry Prep for July:
1. Pantry Inventory
I make a list of:
- What we have (especially proteins, canned goods, grains)
- What’s low
- What’s about to expire
This keeps my grocery budget tighter and helps me build meals around what’s already here. When it’s time to restock, I definitely try to buy things in bulk whether it’s from physical store like Costco, or a monthly drop like Azure Standard.
2. Fridge + Freezer Clear-Out
Wipe the shelves, toss the scary leftovers (thanks to this method, it doesn’t happen often) and move anything that’s about to go bad to the front. You don’t always have to eat and eat the leftovers either ,repurposing them into something exciting is a great way to make them exciting the second time around.
One place of clutter and catch all that i always try to focus on, especially in this transition is the condiment area. I always tell myself that i’m going to make more sauces and things myself but with lack or storage space to hold cans and jars it’s not something I’ve gotten to, so store bought sauces and dressings it is for now. Unfortunately that leads to the “do i have this? i don’t think so” until you have like four of them. Making sure to check these can help with clutter and organization plus you’ll end up saving money in the long run if you know what you have. A lot of condiments can be made with pantry staples as well, but that’s a post for another day!
3. Master Meal List
I jot down 10–15 meals that work with what I have or what’s in season. Buying produce seasonally can definitely help save money, and is a good way to keep fresh foods in the house without breaking the bank. Having a base list to work off of streamlines the menu and grocery list process, and can be a good reminder of what the family likes later in the month when you feel like you’ve been eating the same things.
4. Household Stock Check
Are we low on toilet paper? Sponges? Trash bags? I add it to a restock list I can pull from over the month. This is where my Costco membership comes in handy. Over time I’ve gotten a pretty good handle on how much of what we go through each month, so we usually do one big Costco trip for paper products, cleaning supplies, and diapers/wipes.
Having a system means that I’m not having a “take it all out and put it all back” moment in a fit of clutter overstimulation that ends up putting me behind in my regular rhythm. It also helps me keep organized though the month and give me a sense of having a solid foundation moving into the next month.