Hello, November

This year, October and Halloween looked different for us. Still my favorite month and holiday. I had to sit on the sidelines a lot. And I didn't really feel like decorating either. Instead, I just soaked up the vibes. I feel like October is always a "refreshing" month for me, and while I didn't get to do my normal Fall cleaning/decluttering this year I still felt like it was a transitional month.

📷: Credit

Personally, November is looking to be the month of prepping and rest. Soaking up the last few weeks before our lives really change. I'm trying to not stress so much about the little things, and enjoy my time with my family. So far, November has brought several days of rain —which I love— and another stray dog (which is not ideal). The time change also happened over the weekend, and well, our household is not a fan. But the silver lining is that we had some cool weather move in and I am here for it! If we could get some even colder weather by the time we get to the end of the month, that would be great

Professionally, November is serving as a time to “wrap things up.” Create TEAMS folders and upload documents. Train the person taking on some of my tasks while I’m out. Update instruction sheets, and assign delegates for internal approval routes. Refresh any recurring meetings with updated information. And making sure that catering is taken care of while I’m out. It’s basically a whole month of checklists. And while I am all for checklists, to-do lists, and color coding - my brain has been on the fritz lately. This is why it's taking me longer to finish things.

All of that said, I'm ready for this change in season. Emery's about to start working on her permit, and she's closing in on the end of year 14 - can you believe it? I'm both sad and excited about it. I'm ready to meet our little guy. Ready to not have so much physical discomfort. To start healing and feeling more like myself. And I'm just doing my best to take things one day at a time. Savoring all of the little moments when I can. So, here's to November! And to a wonderful start to the fall season. 🍂

Monday Motivation

The time change sucks. There. I said it. As a teenager, I loved when DST ended and it got dark around 6:30 p.m. That meant I got to go out and party a little earlier. However, once I became an adult, and then a mom, it really put a funk in my routine. Pair it with seasonal depression* and you have a recipe for some pretty low times (read: months). Where before I’d throw a bandaid over it with a crap ton of caffeine - my current dietary restrictions do not allow me to have energy drinks yet. So, I’m trying to figure out how to push through/manage it without stimulants. And let me just say, that it has not been easy.

All of that said, it’s November, y’all. It’s a new month! We’re so close to the end of 2023, but it also feels like we just got started. The change in foliage has been beautiful, and the cooler weather has been nice too. Hallmark Christmas movies are in full swing. We’re ironing out plans for Thanksgiving, and I’m so ready to have time off for the holidays. Here’s hoping you have a great Monday and an even more wonderful November!

*Not officially diagnosed with seasonal depression, this is just based on my observation over the years of when my depression gets the worst for me.