November has arrived with authority bringing with it colder days, frosty mornings, and unpredictable winds. The kaleidoscope of colors has vanished, leaving us a blank slate once again. The vibrant colors that once ignited our imaginations and creativity are nothing more than sweet memories for now.
Warm clothes are brought out from their hiding places in hopes of protecting us from the bitter wind and cold. Toques have landed upon heads bringing itchiness and wild hair! Boots have been found to protect us from the depth of snow that will inevitably soon arrive. Sigh…. sweet November!
Not!! Enough of the flowery bullshit - I actually hate (a strong word I know, just trying to emphasize my disdain) November! Sweet is not the adjective I would personally use to describe the month upon us. Maybe shitty, depressing, dreary, cold, colorless - these are more up my alley! I’m not good with cold and miserable weather. Also, without the arrival of snow, we can’t even enjoy winter sports yet!
November could definitely send me down a dark rabbit hole if I gave it the power to do so! I’m trying to find the positive in November, but quite frankly, I’m struggling today. Usually, I like to think of myself as a glass-half-full kind of gal. What can possibly be positive about the arrival of November?
Hmmm…
- Yellowstone is back, that’s a definite positive
- 50 days approx... until Christmas – still time for shopping
- It’s been unseasonably warm – no snow yet!
- Fireplace can be turned on and with that, I can dive into a great book and get out of my head
- No more reruns of my favorite shows
- And, best of all (wait for it) Hallmark Christmas Movies are here! Yippie!!!
There, I did it! I found the positive in an unfriendly month. You, sweet November, will not get the best of me this year. I’ll wake each morning and greet you with a smile and hug! I’ll use the colder days to be grateful for the warmth of my home and a roof over my head! I’ll indulge in homemade soups and warm cups of tea. Since I can’t be outside (seriously, my bones will break), I’ll use this time to write more, educate myself on things that interest me, and practice being more mindful! Then, I’ll emerge from my November cocoon, wiser, more grateful, much more present, and ready to take on December!
I may be a bit of a drama queen, but at least I’m honest. I believe it’s essential to express how we’re feeling and to be “truth-tellers.” How many of us when asked, “how are you?” respond with “good,” even if we’re not. Be honest about your feelings with people you trust and feel safe with. At different times in our lives, all of us are fighting some kind of internal battle and need support without judgment. Be aware of listening without interrupting, and avoid bringing it back to yourself. When we allow ourselves to be vulnerable and open with our truth, it opens the door for others to do the same. This is true connection!
Who wants to share with me some of the things you enjoy about November? I would really be grateful for any ideas at all! We’re all in this together, and sharing ideas helps us remain positive and focus on something different when we’re experiencing “not so positive days.”
Please leave a comment below and tell me how you’re feeling about November, what you enjoy most about this month, and how you remain optimistic!
Until next time…November sucks! Ha!