November Notes

I can’t believe I woke up to November, Christmas cheer, and purchasing my first set of candy canes of the year.

𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘭𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘯𝘫𝘰𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘦𝘯𝘫𝘰𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶. ⁣

I had so many memorable moments in October that had periods of time where I felt like I truly found a rhythm of adapting to my current life living back at home. I focused on becoming more independent in decisions and making an effort to create plans with those around me whenever I could. I felt like I was more spontaneous in my decision-making and tried to let life be as it was.

Although, I definitely wasn’t perfect. I do tend to thrive more on fueling myself when I plan. I definitely didn’t enjoy some of the foods I wanted this month, but there’s still time left, and I definitely still feel guilty around resting at times. I just love being on the go always!

However, you live on and you learn and you fix your mistakes the next day. No matter what that may look like!

In fact, I even started November off strong with a trip to Target, a walk to work, a spinach feta and egg white wrap for a super late lunch, and writing. I haven’t been as inspired or motivated to write so much in a while as I’ve focused on getting graduate school applications done.

I love starting off the month by creating small, medium and large goals for myself that I can develop further in future months as well.

The biggest thing career wise for me is finishing up graduate school applications. I’m just in the peer revision editing process of my last few statement of purpose pages. Then, I have to sit and eagerly wait to find out where my new home may be next year. I’m also working on trying to get and enjoy as many hours as I can at Starbucks. I honestly love my job. I honestly love coming to work and I’m definitely hoping to transfer and work this job along with an assistantship in graduate school.

October started off strong with social outings, but fell flat towards the end as sickness, crazy schedules, and finances are a concern for a lot of people. However, I’m hoping to engage in quick, easy, activities this month that can be as simple as an outdoor walk, a cup of coffee or a Chick-Fil-A drive thru run. I’m also always the friend who will happily run errands with anyone. Sometimes you need company, common sense, an escape and a person to be with because life can feel lonely at times.

Today, I even sat at work for hours doing emails, writing and applications. I may have to venture out from my home Starbucks and find a little less chaotic one for the holiday season to focus on. I’ve done quite a few study sessions with friends at coffee shops, and it will certainly be a staple in graduate school.

I crafted a bunch of fun recipes for winter, but definitely need to hit the stores and continue to work on more film and video content. I finally set up my ring light and I’m excited to utilize it in the next few weeks. Peppermint Oatmeal Pancakes are just around the corner for the holiday season.

Speaking of the holiday season.. I really want to try and enjoy it as much as possible. I was honestly so stressed out last holiday season between working multiple jobs, finishing my college career on Dec. 23rd and preparing to move to Florida for my college program immediately after. I think I was purely miserable on Christmas and I remember forcing myself to go to the family gathering because “what if it was the last time I saw people,”.. I knew I would never let myself live it down.

However, this year I want to bring my favorite recipes and food board inspiration to the table. I want to try and enjoy as many holiday events as I can. I want to go for long drives to see the Christmas lights and I’m already looking forward to decorating my own home with my parents. That’s something I really haven’t been able to do the past few years with school and work consuming me throughout these cheerful and draining months.

These are one of my holiday favorites: Butter Cookies. My mom's mom absolutely loved these and we always used to make them for her. She passed away when I was six years old, but my mom and I carry on the tradition.

I also need to not put pressure on myself to do everything, force myself to try things I don't like, and I need to learn to listen to my own heart, desires, needs, wants and not care what others think of me.

I’m also hoping to not be gluten or lactose intolerant and I’ll also probably figure out a time to pull my wisdom teeth next year for some not so fun things.

On the bright side, I am ready for the next few months and to bask in what there is to offer. I love to give so this season always brings me so much joy. So.. I say.. Cheers to the Holidays!

Let’s give ourselves and others grace. Let’s show up as our best selves every single day even though that may be different on the daily and let’s trust ourselves as we enter the end of a year that’s certainly been full of ups and downs.