A Better November Reset: Embracing the Fantasy Elements of Autumn
All the Fall feels are here! Pumpkin flavors are in full motion, driveways are covered with leaves and the last flutter of fairies is about. November resets are probably one of the least popular to do since everyone is swallowed up in holiday preparation.
But taking time to observe and enjoy the fantastic elements of Autumn is a great way to capture beautiful, simple moments.
November Reset Overview
November, the last full fall month, has a lot of interesting things going on. In the US, the time has changed (this year it actually happens the first week of November!) and we are adjusting to the darker evenings. Also in the US, election day happens. Thanksgiving is huge. Plus the adjustment of our bodies to the colder weather, while taking walks in the crisp breeze, brings on a serenity that can only come in the dark weeks of November.
With all of these changes in mind, I want to focus on Acts 14:17,
Nevertheless, He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness (NKJV)
I love many seasonal passages, but this one really felt like it encompasses the mood of November as we head towards giving thanks for God’s provision for us over the year.
November Monthly Planner Update
I’ll be honest, I have not been keeping up with my planner.
I use our family calendar on the fridge to check dates. I use my phone’s reminder app to keep me on schedule. And I have been using Google Keep for notes, lists, etc.
It’s not because I don’t want to use my planner. It’s mainly because I forget where my planner is. I take it with me to the office, then later when I’m in the bedroom or not at home, I just quickly jot things on my phone. As for family items, I write those on the family calendar to notify my husband or remind the kids and I look on there too. So it kinda of ends the need for a personal planner. At least for now, it does.
I feel like the use of planners and journals ebb and flow with the seasons of motherhood. Never feel nailed down to one tool, be flexible to the changes around you, like the changes in Fall.
If you’d like to see a video with the planner I own and how to set up a planner it’s available here on the blog and on my youtube.
Monthly To Dos
November is such a beautiful month to explore the outdoors. I would love to take this time tramping into the woods. With the colorful leaves I feel any moment you could see a fairy, a princess or a dwarf.
I would like to take time this month to walk outside more. Of course, we will be raking up all of those leaves (as our house is right outside of a wooded lot with towering trees all around us. As I often like to say, we have a cottage in the woods).
Other things coming up in November:
- Putting away our fairy garden items
- Camping trip
- Christmas shopping
- Stocking the Pantry for Winter
November Reset: Homemaking Goals
This is the time of year that I like to clean up my kitchen for holidays and winter. My kitchen windows face the backyard, which you can see beyond the woods. I love being cozy inside, busy by the stove, while seeing the leaves falling or the snow on the trees outside (which does look like Narnia!).
Besides preparing the kitchen for winter, I have been working hard on deep cleaning our bathroom. There’s only one but it’s a large family bathroom so I have to clean it in sections.
We did get the living room organized, and the dining room last month, but now I want to move on to the office. I’m not quite following my revised homemaking schedule, but getting it done in some way is the most important part.
November Reset Wellness Routine: Destressing, Friendships, Exercise, and Serving
I have been struggling guys to get in exercise ever since school started but October was my month! So for the last 3 weeks I have exercised at least 2, if not 3 days, a week. I have leveled up on my weights and am so thankful. I have been feeling better too, due to my new supplements. I have had so many energy issues, but for now I’m doing better.
Friendships, well I’ve been working on meeting up with others. Although there are some schedule clashes, I’m going to continue to work on this. I would love to hang out with at least one person per week. I know to a single, extroverted lady that goal sounds like it’s lacking. However, as an introverted mom with 3 kids, I think that would be an amazing achievement to consistently hang out once a week.
Only in the last week have I felt less stressed. There’s less going on, praise God, and I have time to think about something other than putting out fires. And I’ve been consistently serving in my church so my plan is just to continue what I’ve been doing. However, it is our family’s goal to do more hospitality in our home.
Want more Reset Resources?
I hope my November reset inspired you to action! If you are interested in creating your own monthly reset, I recommend you check these out:
