October passed in a blur. It’s not a month I would particularly ever care to relive. It’s a month that holds pain, grief, and heartbreak. The weeks have passed in a daze. It still doesn’t feel real – I still can’t believe I honestly and truly lost my grandma. There’s this part of me that still thinks I’ll see her cooking in the kitchen on Thanksgiving morning, laughing and puttering around, making sure all her kids are happy.
I’ve tried to hold on to normal life as much as I can. I carved pumpkins with my roommate, dressed up for Halloween at my work, and even went on a date. I haven’t cried nearly as much as I think I should and sometimes don’t think I’m fully processing this loss. But how do you even begin to process a loss this huge?
I don’t know the answer. I’m just trying to keep moving forward. That’s what Grandma would want.
Obviously, my monthly goals weren’t on my mind last month. I’m still not sure I’m in the goal-setting mood, but I did want to make some goals because November is here and I want to make the most of this month.
November will be a good month. It’s my birthday month, it’s Dutch’s fourth Running of the Wiener’s race, and I’m going to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter for the first time. (Let’s not discuss the fact that I’ve never been when I live an hour away, mmkay?)
November is also Thanksgiving, the first one without grandma. I’m hoping it will be a good day, but I also know it will be a hard one. Grandma was the heartbeat of our family and a piece of all our hearts will be missing.
But let’s talk goals, shall we?
Win NaNoWriMo 2015 | That’s right – I’m doing it! I’ve already aced Day 1, so now I just have to keep on truckin’. Before November started, I had written 10,000 words of my current work-in-progress, so I’m hoping to hit 60,000 by the time the month is over. It’ll give me a solid base, though it certainly won’t complete my novel. But 90% of the way there is farther than I’ve ever been.
Exercise 4 times a week | I like having an exercise goal to shoot for because it keeps me motivated. What can I say? I’m just not at the point where I exercise for the hell of it. If I make it a goal, I’m much more committed.
Drink 32 ounces of water per day | Nope, it’s not nearly enough, but I won’t tell you how many ounces of water I’ve been drinking lately.
Make some doctor’s appointments | For starters, I need a dental cleaning and to get blood work done. I hate making doctor’s appointments, but it’s gotta get done.
Get a tattoo for my birthday | I have wanted to get a tattoo for years and I think age 28 is the perfect time to finally make this a reality.
What’s one thing you’re looking forward to in November?
This November I’m looking forward to getting the girls’ Christmas photos done for our Christmas cards! Other than than that, I have nothing special planned.
I can’t wait to see what you get for a tattoo! They’re addicting! ?
I’m looking forward to our trip to Nashville (I haven’t been) and then also to Arkansas with some of our other friends. I’ll get to check another State off my visited list which will make me happy. (I’ve been to TN, just not Nashville.) Apart from that, I’m looking forward to hibernating a bit, and charging up for all the trips coming up now until the end of the year.
I know how hard holidays can be; just take it one breath/step at a time. Do what you can and not what people expect of you. Be kind to yourself. <3
I can see how you would not want to relive October… it is hard to wrap your mind around the loss of a loved on. I lose my grandpa almost 7 years ago and the pain still feels raw around the holidays and other life events. We were blessed to have these wonderful people in our life but it’s so hard to adjust to life without them. Continue to be kind to yourself!
October was a fun-filled and busy month for me and November is shaping up to be the same. I slacked on working out in October, especially when traveling so that needs to change in November. My goal is to do 30 workouts in 30 days which means working out 6 days a week and doing doubles once a week but I need a strict goal like that to get back on track. And I’m not having any sweets either as I have gotten so bad at thinking I need something EVERY DAY. Which I don’t.
In November I am looking forward to attending my friend Alli’s wedding in New Jersey this coming Sunday and celebrating Thanksgiving with my family! My brother is hosting it so I don’t have to travel which is awesome! Phil and I are sharing the holidays for the first time, so he’ll come with me to my Thanksgiving on Thursday and then we’ll celebrate with his mom and brother on Saturday. And I am also hosting my family for a lasagna dinner the day after Thanksgiving.
My partner is doing NaNoWriMo this month too! Good luck reaching your goal; I’m sure you’ll nail it.
I’m really looking forward to spending some time planning this month. We’re all settled into our new home now and I’ve been thinking a lot about what comes next. I spent the past two years working towards and achieving some pretty big goals, and now that I’ve done the things I set out to do I’m not sure what happens now. It will be nice to spend some time thinking and making decisions about what I want out of the next year or two of my life.
Time for slowing down. This past year overall has been quite a whirlwind for me, and it’s nice to be able to reconnect with a slower, relaxed pace of life since this month started. I look forward to easy hangouts with friends like coffee dates and birthday dinners.
I hope November is more peaceful for you :).