in november…

11/01/2013

It’s been quite awhile since I’ve set any monthly goals (June to be exact). And, while life is good, I’ve felt a little lost without say-out-loud monthly goals – especially in the structure-less two months following Ironman Canada. So, monthly goals are back…  it’s time to declare ’em boldly! Hold me accountable 🙂

Here’s what I’m up to this month… 

Clean it up and unplug. Don’t get me wrong, I love social media. But, lately, it’s been too consuming and clouding the things that really matter (um, hello, real life!). So, I’m cleaning up my bloglovin’ list, my main twitter list and my instragram feed to only my absolute favorites and instead pouring more of my energy into real life connections. See ya (less), screen time. 

Set a schedule. I’m all over the board when it comes to getting work done outside of work (i.e. feeling like an airhead lately). So, two nights a week and a small chunk of time on the weekend are now reserved solely for blog work. The rest of the time is off limits and reserved for creating (see next goal). 

Five minutes. I have so many projects sitting on the back burner. And, while I want to tackle them all right now at the same time, sometimes the hardest part is starting. Enter, five minutes. Start creating something, allowing just five minutes – because we all have five minutes – to work on it. Most likely, that five minutes will turn into 45 in a blink. I will sand + paint that sofa table, finally!

Gratitude journal. I’m a much happier person when I take a few minutes at the end of each day to reflect on what I’m grateful for. The daily gratitude journal is returning (how fitting for November, right?).

Fermenting. I’ve said many times I was going to brew kombucha. This time, it.will.happen. I will also be attempting sauerkraut, recipe courtesy of Maggs (who is racing Ironman Florida this weekend!). 

What are you up to in November? I wanna hear about it!

gratitude

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19 Comments

  • Reply Victoria 11/01/2013 at 8:35 am

    Ohhhh homemade sauerkraut. I hope you’ll post that project!

  • Reply Amy 11/01/2013 at 8:41 am

    Great ideas! I’m also cleaning up and unplugging more. I do hope you’ll drop in on me every now and again 🙂

  • Reply thepumpkinsdiary 11/01/2013 at 9:00 am

    I have been told if everyday you write 3-5 things down, on paper, you will feel better (both mentally and physically). I have yet to actually start writing things down, I have a tendency to think good thoughts, but not put pen to paper. For November, my goal is to start writing them, every single day. My other goal is to strength train 3-4hrs a week – hello functional strength work – time to fix all those weaknesses. And I want to believe in myself – stop thinking personal negative thoughts. LOVE your list, thanks so much for starting my November off on the right foot. 🙂

  • Reply Jacqueline 11/01/2013 at 9:45 am

    That five minute idea may be a game changer for me…thanks for the suggestion!

  • Reply amikoch 11/01/2013 at 9:52 am

    In November, i will update Finley’s babybook!! Kris and I are going to have a “babybook” night. 🙂 I will also unplug more and have more of a schedule for my photography work vs. feeling like I constantly HAVE to work on something. A couple nights a week of normal family time with no technology is needed!

  • Reply kendra 11/01/2013 at 10:59 am

    Very inspiring! I too feel that after the race season has ended I enter a slump. Feel kind of lost in life and all over the place with no focus – I was feeling this way for the few weeks leading up to surgery. I will obviously be focusing on healing the next two months but will start working on my list of goals for when I come out of rehab and am able to do more “normal” life stuff!

  • Reply Laura 11/01/2013 at 11:08 am

    Awesome goals. I find myself also checking my phone way too often instead of just taking in life as it is through my eyes not on my screen. Two goals for me are cleaning up my diet because of long time digestion issues – so no gluten, nuts or dairy for at least a month and not procrastinating dishes and putting laundry away!

  • Reply Emily Dingmann (@nutritionisteat) 11/01/2013 at 11:59 am

    I think I need to set real goals this month too – a lot of mine are so similar to yours! I have all these projects/things I want to work on but it can seem overwhelming. Setting aside a night or two to work on them is a good idea, then I’m not on my laptop every night, all night!

  • Reply vardotrichic 11/01/2013 at 12:51 pm

    I love the idea of a gratitude journal, Erin!! As for my goals for November…I am going to relax and enjoy life. I have been way too stressed lately and I am going to work hard at letting things go and not stress about the small stuff. I am also going to start the gratitude journal, so thanks for the idea…you are my first gratitude for the month 😉

  • Reply Maggs 11/01/2013 at 6:15 pm

    I used to brew my own Kombucha. need to start again. Love that stuff. Hope the kraut making goes smooth

  • Reply Luv What You Do 11/01/2013 at 9:36 pm

    I was just working on my November and December goals. I’m hoping to clean up my diet and stay calm during this crazy time of year. More yoga for sure!

  • Reply runningthestats 11/02/2013 at 1:06 am

    I love all of your goals! I’ve been trying to do versions of all of them myself recently, but you’re right–some times you have to say it out loud and write it down before it really sticks. Despite having a very tight and specific training schedule, I’m struggling most with actually having a schedule outside of training, so I like that goal the most. I think I need to adopt it myself!

  • Reply Change of Pace 11/02/2013 at 11:53 am

    I always feel lost after a big race, too.
    Great goals! Love the clean up and unplug. I did that this week and it felt good! I think I’ll continue this way to a while!
    Love your five-minute idea. Thanks for sharing! And good luck!

  • Reply Kristen L 11/02/2013 at 9:55 pm

    I love goals. I have gotten out of the habit of stating my monthly goals on my blog, but I do think it helps keep you accountable. I like the cleanup goal, and spending a few minutes getting your projects done.
    I’m trying to graduate next month from my PhD, so this month I’m putting a lot of energy into finishing up work projects — but I need to make sure I set aside some time to get up and away from the computer. I’m also running my second marathon next weekend — so I have some big goals for that. 🙂 Good luck with your monthly goals!

  • Reply De 11/02/2013 at 10:08 pm

    November must be goal setting month! I am on the same page. My focus is on getting my nutrition back to balance and sleeping schedule in order. You have to keep us updated on the fermenting I have always wanted to try it!!

  • Reply Brittany 11/05/2013 at 5:24 am

    I love the gratitude goal – maybe you’ve seen it, but I really liked the documentary “Happy” (on Netflix), and it details how important having gratitude is and how it makes us happy. Also I’m loving fermented stuff right now – so good for the gut – so can’t wait to hear how your fermenting projects go!!

  • Reply Candice 11/10/2013 at 8:55 pm

    gratitude journal! Yes, I have found that I am happier when I keep mine up! Thanks for the reminder Erin!

  • Reply ktfit 11/11/2013 at 4:38 pm

    I love this post! Especially the five minutes goal, because this is always the case for me. I swear I put things off like it’s my job, but if I just get started, I end up liking it, and 5min seriously does turn into 45, and I feel so accomplished at the end. LOVE!

  • Reply letterpress love at fontlove studio. - sweet sweat life 03/25/2016 at 11:19 am

    […] is all about embracing life outside triathlon… because yes, it does indeed exist. In addition to my November goals (creating and kombucha!), I’ve had one email in my inbox for a couple months: Fall […]

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