It's already November! How does this keep happening? I suppose that's what working so much can do... makes time fly by. I see now how people can just get stuck in their busy, daily routine and go day to day without stopping to evaluate what they are working toward or examine the level of fulfillment that life is giving them. I am trying to keep my goals in line and know that I am saving up to travel and make some changes next year!
Anyway, that's not what you bargained for when you began reading this post - I'm guessing you're waiting with great anticipation to know what November will hold for me! But first, let's evaluate October.
I knocked October out of the park, if I do say so myself, which I do. I did not eat meat the entire month - this was actually not very hard and I only had a few occasions where this was difficult. The first was when we were sampling the new food at Starbucks, and I had to explain that I couldn't eat the bacon wrapped dates or chicken skewers (because yes, those are 2 new foods at Starbucks Evenings... State and Ohio... check it out!). The other times were when I ate at Subway, I had to reevaluate my 'usual' order and when I was buying pizza at the grocery store, I had to make sure I was buying vegetarian. Pretty simple adjustments. The last time, and perhaps the most comical, was when my brother and I went to a lovely tapas bar on Halloween... aka October 31st... my last day! He couldn't believe that I couldn't help him eat meatballs, more bacon wrapped dates (which the place is known for), or chicken paella. (He overcame this by just ordering and eating all the dates himself :)
Overall though, this was not very difficult and I really did not find myself missing meat. I'm going to continue being a vegetarian for the most part, but won't be super strict if a social situation arises where someone made a dish or offers something with meat in it... it don't want to cause extra stress or make a big deal out of not being able to eat it. I did find that just by having some sort of limitation on what I could eat made me much more conscious about what I was ordering and the food I was putting in my body. I enjoyed that.
The other thing was packing my lunch - I am proud to say that I did not buy my lunch out ONCE during the entire month. I did have to buy salad dressing one day, but seeing as that's not a lunch, I thought that was okay. And it wasn't because I forgot it from my house... it was because I was legitimately out of dressing, so had to buy it anyway. I would also like to continue this habit as well.
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| All of us at the conference in Bethesda |
SO ... drumroll ... NOVEMBER! Which it is already the third day of! 1. I am going to start a little apartment cleanse, especially before the holiday season when I will bring more stuff back IN to my apartment... For November, I am going to get rid of 100 things. Things that someone else might want will go to Goodwill or friends, everything else will be recycled or tossed. I've already started and found about 5 old reusable bags that I am going to get rid of (I have a lot of other ones to still use...). I also will get rid of some old magazines, sort my clothes, old jewelry, and get rid of little crap things that I've held on to for far too long. I will keep track of the items and keep you updated!
2. I am going to connect/reconnect/stay in touch better with friends and family. This will include postcards, letters, calls, etc. If you'd like a postcard, feel free to send me your address! :) I especially like doing this before all the holiday madness, since that is a time of reconnection as well. The first few catching ups are tomorrow I am skyping with my lovely friend in England, Hannah, who I haven't spoken to in foreverrrrr. Then next weekend I get to go to Austin, TX (first time in Texas!) where I get to see lots of people I studied abroad with. Can't wait to catch up with them all... some of whom I haven't seen since Spain, which was 4.5 years ago! Yay, reunions!
3. Goal - I am going to write in my journal more. Which really means, I am going to start writing in a journal. I have a lovely journal that my amazing friend Heidi gave to me, so I am all set. (It's full of great quotes, like the thought for the day below:) I actually have written entries the last 2 nights, so so far I'm doing well on that front. Let's see if I can keep it up!
I also want to start my Christmas shopping asap... I want to financially be on top of that game, as well as lower the stress and craziness that comes with waiting until the last minute.
I also need a haircut and need to do laundry... oh, oops... now we're just getting into today's to do list. Better go get started on all of this! And again, feel free to share your 30day challenge if you're doing one!
carpe diem, hakuna matata, no day but today... redhead OUT.
