Mercury retrograde is like your phone running 47 apps at once. Things slow down, get glitchy, and suddenly you’re rage-refreshing your inbox wondering why nothing’s working. But here’s the secret: retrogrades aren’t roadblocks. They’re restarts. Below are 10 reset actions designed to help you shake off the mental fog, clear your space (and head), and get back in alignment with your purpose.
1. Start Your Day With a “Mind Dump” Journal Sesh
Retrograde brain = chaotic tab overload. Grab a notebook (or open your Notes app if that’s more your jam), and write down everything on your mind — from deep fears to “text mom back.” This clears out the mental noise and gives you space to breathe. Bonus: rereading it later might reveal patterns Mercury’s helping you catch.
2. Turn Off Notifications for One Hour a Day
Mercury governs communication, which means retrograde texts, pings, and group chat spirals are basically sensory overload. Give yourself one hour (or more!) a day to go off-grid and let your brain reset. Can’t do a full hour? Try 20 minutes post-lunch when your focus usually dips. Trust: the world will survive without you for 60 minutes.
3. Rearrange One Tiny Part of Your Space
Your environment affects your energy, period. Don’t stress a full Feng Shui overhaul — just move your desk lamp, clean your nightstand, or swap out your candle. Little changes = big energy shifts. Mercury rules your mental patterns, so physical movement helps spark fresh thinking.
4. Create a “Mercury Retrograde Playlist”
Sound is medicine. Whether you need soft lo-fi to help you concentrate or full-volume diva vocals to snap you out of a slump, make a playlist that aligns with how you want to feel. Put it on in the background when you’re working, journaling, or spiral-avoiding. Extra points if it includes a little throwback drama.
5. Do a “Digital Audit” of Your Energy Drains
Scroll through your inbox, calendar, and apps: what’s stealing your time with zero return? Unsubscribe, mute, archive, or delete accordingly. Mercury retrograde is prime time for revising what deserves your attention. Pro tip: set a recurring 15-minute “digital cleanup” timer each week. It’s like clearing your energetic cache.
6. Pick a Daily Anchor Task
When the vibe is off, routines help. Choose one non-negotiable “anchor” activity, like making your bed, doing 10 mins of yoga, or taking a walk around the block. Keep it short, easy, and grounding. When everything feels scrambled, showing up for yourself in one small way builds momentum fast.
7. Try a Brain-Boosting Beverage Ritual
Whether it’s a matcha moment, moon-charged lemon water, or an iced coffee with your fave milk-adjacent creamer, make it feel cute and intentional. Sip it like it’s a love letter to your nervous system. Mercury rules the mind and nerves, so calming that overstimulated energy is half the battle.
8. Revisit a Half-Done Idea or Project
Remember that brilliant idea you abandoned last fall? Or the Notes app business plan collecting digital dust? Mercury Retrograde loves a good comeback. Revisit something you paused — not to finish it perfectly, but just to see if it still lights you up. Don’t underestimate the power of unfinished genius.
9. Plan “Catch-Up” Time Like It’s Sacred
Retrograde energy will slow things down — don’t fight it, work with it. Build in catch-up time instead of overbooking your calendar. That 3 pm meeting? Bump it. That “quick coffee” that always becomes a 90-minute gossip spiral? Maybe next week. Give yourself wiggle room so you can respond instead of react.
10. Set a Phone Lock Screen Reminder That Grounds You
Something like: “Take your time.” “You’re doing fine.” Or “They can wait.” (Yes, even your boss.) Mercury retrograde distorts perspective. Seeing an anchored message every time you check your phone pulls you back to Earth.
Final Download
You don’t need to overhaul your life — just reboot it gently. Mercury retrograde is your permission slip to do less, think clearer, and re-align with what’s actually working. So journal it out, mute that group chat, and press play on your custom vibe. You’ve got this.