A few years ago, I was feeling completely out of control. My life felt like it was happening in front of me instead of something I was actively participating in and shaping. I was perpetually stressed out, exhausted, and stuck in a state of languishing, convinced I would fail at everything—my career, friendships, and direction. But with perfectly aligned timing, I came across the concept of a “life edit,” thanks to the Almost 30 Podcast. In episode 296, co-host Krista Williams shares how auditing every corner of her life—from her apartment and digital footprint to her finances and mental health practices—gave her the clarity to make better decisions, set clearer boundaries, and move toward her goals to support the life she wanted. Long story short: I tried it myself. What started as an exercise in self-reflection ended up carving out space to attract what I really wanted, not just what I was complacent with. It worked so well that I now do a life edit every year. Read on to try it for yourself—the results are bigger than you think.
What Is a Life Edit?
A key step in manifesting your dream life, a thorough life edit is meant to help you see every part of your life exactly as it is—your home, finances, wellness, mental health, relationships—without romanticizing or avoiding any of it. You take inventory of what’s supporting you, what’s draining you, and what you’ve been holding onto out of habit or fear. The result: clearing space for what you want, and aligning your daily actions with your highest self.
For me, a life edit was the missing link that made manifestation feel less abstract and more tangible. While manifesting is about turning your thoughts into reality, the reality you want doesn’t come about by simply wishing or asking for it. Instead, it’s about syncing your everyday choices with the life you say you want. That means not only your mindset, but also your actions, beliefs, and routines. But, you can’t change what you’re not yet aware of. And that’s where a life edit comes in.
Consider a life edit a re-evaluation (no makeover or overhaul required). It’s a chance to pause and get a pulse on where your life stands right now. The most effective way to clean your space—whether physical, mental, digital—is to (painstakingly) pull everything out, examine it, and only put back what you really want and is serving you. When you slow down and observe every aspect of your life without rushing to fix it, the decisions get easier and clearer. You can more definitively see what to release and what you’re ready to welcome in. The gap between the life you imagine and the one you’re currently living becomes so much closer. Below is a step-by-step guide to doing a life edit, along with tips and tricks to get the most out of yours.
How to Do a Life Edit
Step 1: Create a pause to reflect
While I’m one to jump into things before I know how to succeed at them, I’m trying to break that habit by taking intentional pauses. So, while a life edit sounds exciting (spoiler: it is), it asks you to block out time when you’re not rushed or multitasking, and get quiet. Give yourself dedicated time without distractions (think: 30 minutes, an hour, or more) to spend some QT with your journal. Not a fan of journaling? Think of it this way: Putting your thoughts into words actualizes them and gives them permanency. It’s like creating a roadmap for yourself, and people who swear by their morning pages can attest to the practice as a surefire method to finding much-needed clarity. And even a short moment of stillness tells your brain that this process matters.
In your journal, designate six different sections for life categories you’ll reflect on: digital, home, financial, wellness, mental health, and social life. From there, respond to the following questions:
- What do I want more of in this area of my life?
- What feels overwhelming?
- Do I feel any blocks keeping me from achieving my goals?
- What do I want to introduce more of?
- What can I release?
- How would it look to feel a greater sense of peace?
Step 2: Get ready for some tough honesty
Before diving in, know that this step of your life edit can take a while. It’s about getting real with yourself and facing what you’ve been avoiding, so be patient, give yourself grace, and don’t rush the process (there’s no set timeline or deadline). You’ll notice habits, commitments, or patterns that are uncomfortable or frustrating. Letting go of objects, saying goodbye to relationships you’ve outgrown, or coming face-to-face with the reality of your financial position can be a hard pill to swallow. Resistance is normal, but keep in mind that awareness always comes before change.
Initially, these truths kept me from acting on what I’d written in my journal. I wanted to start saving more money, but confronting my spending habits brought on a whole bout of shame. And while I no longer wanted to feel obligated to pour effort into a futile relationship, my fear of conflict kept me from standing up for myself. But the harsh truth? The most effective course of action is to move forward. It will be hard, but nothing is more challenging than staying stuck.
Step 3: Make moves
Once you’ve spent about 30-60 minutes (or however long it takes you—remember: there’s no rush) reflecting and journaling, pick the area of your life you want to tackle first. Pro tip: start with what you feel will be the easiest—you’ll build more momentum than if you were to dive into the hardest part right away. Using your journal responses as a guide, take the time to sift and sort through everything related to this part of your life. Say you’re starting with your digital life: delete old texts and time-sucking apps, re-evaluate your contacts, and declutter your desktop. Then, clear your inbox by unsubscribing from emails that cause you stress or no longer apply to your life. Do you want to spend less time on social media? Pay attention to any accounts that leave you feeling anxious or envious, and hit unfollow. Spend your energy on actions that will help you reach your goals.
Personally, I had the most fun Marie Kondo-ing my apartment, separating my things into keep, donate, and trash piles. (The closet purge was undeniably the most satisfying part.) But every life edit looks different. It’s a deeply personal and sometimes emotional process where some areas might stress you out, while others feel surprisingly effortless. The one constant across all life edits? By the end, you’ll feel lighter, more aligned, and confident about where your focus, attention, and energy are going as you step into this next season of your life.
I Finished. Now What?
I like to do a life edit once a year, but there’s no rule saying you can’t do it more often. Whenever you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or off-track, lean in. Each life edit will bring you clarity, direction, and a steadier handle on your priorities. However, it’s not a one-time fix, but rather an ongoing journey. The ever-elusive concept of balance isn’t permanent—we meet new people, gain new goals, and welcome new things into our lives every day. Treat your life edit as a perennial practice, a way to check in with yourself and where you’re at regularly. With every intentional edit at a time, you’ll realize that you already have what it takes to shape the life you want.
Isabelle Eyman
Isabelle Eyman is a Chicago-based writer and editor. She is currently the Managing Editor at Camille Styles, sharing inspiration and uncovering the beauty all around us through food, design, and wellness editorial.
