How to change your life in 6 months

Updated June 19, 2025, 5:17 p.m. | By Lifestyle Reporter

Feeling stuck? These five tips will help you get closer to the life you have always dreamed about.

Wooden signpost with two directional arrows pointing to 'old life' and 'new life' — File photo: iStock

We are already halfway through the year, and if you have been slacking on your New Year's resolutions, it's not too late to dust yourself off and try again.

You can change your life in six months with the right mindset, planning, and confidence.

Here's how you can do it.

1. This is me... now

Do a "life audit" of where you currently are. What are some of the things you want to change and why? You can create categories for each area of your life, and list all the things you are unhappy with.

Look at the good and the bad. You can do this in a journal to be as honest with yourself as possible.

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2. This is me... in six months

Once you are clear about the areas you want to improve, picture where you want to be in six months. Write down a list of goals, but be realistic about them.

You only have six months, so "becoming a millionaire" might not make sense in the short term. Set smart goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic/relevant, and time-bound.

This means that you will need to set targets for each goal to track your progress.

Create a vision board and keep it on your work or home desk to motivate you throughout the process.

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3. It sounds cliche, but positive thinking changes everything

Daily affirmations are a good way to start the day. Look in the mirror and say positive things about yourself.

Think Aibileen Clark in the movie, 'The Help':

You is kind.
You is smart.
You is important.

Don't just limit positive thinking to saying nice things to yourself. When things go bad, don't mope around feeling sorry for yourself. If you want to lose weight but fall off the wagon, get up and try again. Thinking negatively only makes you more depressed. It can also cause unnecessary stress and anxiety. Positive thinking keeps you motivated, which is essential if you want to reach your goals. It also helps you believe in yourself and gives you the courage to take on whatever life throws your way.

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4. Add a colourful plant to your workspace

Decluttering your workplace can help you focus more. According to WebMD, "clutter makes it difficult to find what you need. It may also distract you. Getting rid of visual clutter can help you focus better on any task at hand".

Adding a plant to your space can help lift your mood. Studies have shown that plants not only improve air quality but they can also help improve creativity.

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5. Learn something new every week

Try to learn something new weekly to help improve your life or reach your goals. It can be as simple as learning a new word to incorporate into daily conversations.

Watch YouTube videos, sign up for cheap online courses, or listen to a podcast. Even if you don't reach all your goals by the end of six months, you will still have learned a lot.