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5 Hopes for November



As I look through the calendar for this month, I’m noticing a lot of unusual weeks. This week is normal, but next week the kids have a four day weekend, and we are going camping. The week after that my daughter has minimum days at school all week for conferences, and then the following week we are flying to Philly to spend Thanksgiving with family. Looking ahead at all of this, I am realizing that I might not have the extra time and space to do any big projects outside of getting ready for these trips and enjoying the extra time with both kids at home. If I fall off NaBloPoMo for a day or two, you’ll know what happened!

With all that said, I want to try to be intentional about my time and perspective this month. I’m hoping:

1. To have a fun trip to Philadelphia to see my in-laws this month. Traveling for a big holiday to see family can be a lot with little kids. I’m trying to schedule in a few fun things and otherwise relax as much as possible and focus on quality time with everyone.

2. To remember the phrase “slow down to the speed of love.” I don’t always do great with lots of changes to the routine, and my goal is to try to move through everything with as much ease as possible and keep prioritizing reading, moving my body, and getting outside.

3. Set up monthly giving to the library and Feeding San Diego.

4. Strength train 3 x a week when we are home (and go on daily walks in Philly). I am doing a beginner strength training program that is short and doable, so I think I can make this happen.

5. Have a great reading month! I want to spend more time looking for great books,checking out book podcasts, buying books if they aren’t available at the library, and abandoning books that aren’t holding my attention.

Comments

  1. I've never heard this saying - slow down to the speed of love. That's a good one. You do have a busy month ahead. I hope you find some good books. I, too, hesitate to DNF a book if I don't like it. Why is that? Too many good books out there.

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  2. Yes, don't waste time on a book that isn't a pleasure to read! Some say to give them a few chapters, but I'm not going to give it my time.

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  3. sounds like you have a plan for a good month. before last year I had never DNFd a book, but I've done three since then (I am quite careful about the books I start) and I'm glad I told myself it's OK to do that.

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  4. Those are good hopes for November! You're right, November does have a lot of weird weeks. Next week I have just Tuesday off (why?!) and then the next week my son has minimum days for conferences (and I have to show up at his school one afternoon to attend his conference). Then of course it's Thanksgiving week. We don't have to fly anywhere, but we do get the week off! Hooray! I hope you are able to slow down to the speed of love while everything is weird and wonky around you. You got this!

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  5. Hi Sam,
    Same here. November in NJ schools is very choppy. Election Day off, then NJ teacher convention, then Thanksgiving. We do not have the whole week off but only Thursday to Sunday. I don’t really have major plans for November (very much unlike me) but… similarly, I want to read, and tidy up the house, and spend some time thinking. About what? Just thinking. I’m weird.

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  6. I love your hopes for November! I would really love to get back into a strength training groove. It's such a boost when I do it, but getting myself to do it is harder than it should be.

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    1. Yeah, right now I'm doing a beginning plan that is quick. Otherwise I also have a hard time making myself do it.

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  7. SAME re: weird month. I also scheduled 4 kids physicals and 3 kid dentist appointments this month, which is soooooo dumb. Great goals-- I always have a hard time reading in November because it is BLOG SEASON.

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    1. Oof that is a lot of appointments. Good point about blog season--there is a lot to read and this is my first time trying NaBloPoMo.

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  8. Those are all great hopes for the month! It sounds like a super busy month for you, but I'm sure you can get it all done!

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  9. Oh, I love that phrase: slow down to the speed of love!

    November is usually very busy for a lot of people, so the fact that you've committed to NaBloPoMo during such a busy time is awesome. And don't sweat a missed day or two, but soak up the family time!

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  10. P.S. What planner do you use?

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    1. I use a Sprouted Planner in the weekly edition.

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  11. Well, lucky for us in Germany no thanksgiving. However this month is a little weird but that is mainly because of work and Advent 1st falls on a November day which is always a bit weird. On the other hand more Advent days.

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