Welcome to November! I cannot believe how ridiculously fast this year has flown right on by. I feel like I JUST started my job, just celebrated my 24th birthday and now I’m already thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas (and secretly planning my 25th birthday, but sssh our little secret). 

As I have already mentioned in my previous posts, I haven’t really given myself an opportunity to really indulge in self care. I have neglected myself, become so absorbed in my work life and in my household responsibilities that I have let myself become stale. I have been craving some sort of creative outlet in any sense to help me nurture myself and to express myself in a productive way. Seriously, not expressing myself makes me feel like a looney. 

This past Friday I decided I was going to participate in a 30-day yoga challenge (yay me). I’ve been practicing yoga with clear intention and more dedication for the past 4-5 months. I have always done yoga but we have had an on-and-off relationship. By participating in this challenge (it’s actually 2 challenges, for a little variety), I am devoting myself to my practice and opening up my practice to be shared with others. This is incredibly humbling for me and brings me great joy, peace and clarity. I’m incredibly grateful for my new found practice. 

This weekend I took a painting class with a dear friend of mine from college, it was phenomenal. I felt so liberated and free. I always thought that my only really creative talent was writing or singing but now I feel connected with the arts. It is something I definitely envision myself continuing. It is so important to find a creative outlet to express yourself. I cannot believe I didn’t try this earlier. My life is such a blessing and I am grateful for the ability to share my creative gifts with the world. 

I see November as a time of change and challenge. It is the perfect time to set clear intentions to better myself and to really take care of myself as this cold weather makes it way into our lives. It is also a great time to really start thinking about gratitude. Finding something to be grateful for even among the murky and dreary is eye opening and blissful. 

What are you doing to better yourself this month? What are you grateful for?