There’s something bubbling and I don’t mean my PMS stomach nor unfortunately, the liquid in my glass.
 
Can you feel it too?
 
The November noise.
 
 
As we enter this new month, one often of reflection and gratitude, it presents to us a time to appreciate the changes in ourselves.
 
But it also often presents to us a niggling undercurrent of… panic?
 
The goals you set out at the start of the year are surfing the undercurrent; “I don’t want to stress you babe you but we’re running out of time”.
 
The very goals and intentions we set ourselves with the hope of self-development and progression present to us as disrupters of our presence and sometimes, shame.
 
Do you feel it too?
 
 
November offers us time to revisit the ideas and hopes and goals we set ourselves in January when 2023 was simply a glimmer of 12 months of possibility.
 
November asks us to consider, are we still in alignment with those goals?
 
More importantly, are we still in alignment with our values?
 
 
For those of us who air on the side of perfectionism, comparison self-criticism, a month that asks us to begin to slow down, recuperate and reflect, November can instead be a month of itchy feet, distress and solely forward focus as we find ourselves already planning,
 
What can I do better next year?
 
What haven’t I achieved? 
 
Especially as we prepare ourselves for the yearly online onslaught of curated photo evidence of achievements (often over memories) as people fight for validation from the world that they’re doing enough, that they’ve earned their space in the world for another year.
 
 
My offering to you this week if you’ll accept, are some journal prompts designed to slow you down for a hot minute. To create a space to check in with yourself as we begin the penultimate chapter of this year. To cultivate a sense of gratitude and compassion towards yourself and others for the occurrences of the year past, whilst making space for another two months of opportunity ahead.
 

Screenshot these:
 
And on your next time to journal, or simplu your next time to walk, I invite you to revisit them and reflect as deeply as feels right for you:
 
What emotions and feelings begin to arise for me as I enter November and move towards the end of the year? How can I meet these feelings?
 
How am I bringing comfort into my space?
 
What areas of intention did I set myself in January? (if this doesn’t relate, what goals did I set myself in January?)
 
As I reflect on this year, how have I acted to support myself in these intentions?
 
With another two whole months of the year ahead, what will I recommit to?
 
Specifically, what actions will I commit to?
 
What will I allow myself to let go of (which allows me at year end to recognise this as a conscious choice as opposed to a ‘failing’ of some sort)?
 
What am I grateful for as we move into this new month?
 
What is my intention?
 
November 13th is world kindness day – what will I cultivate around this time?
 
Visualise how you want this month to unfold.
 
 
Of course, if your January goal centred around your health, wellbeing, body and relationship with food and you’re determined to begin 2024 in a better place like you promised yourself, I’m always here to give you the support and accountability to get you there,
 
Happy first week of November,
 
Em