By this point we are pretty much in a routine for our children's school and extra-curricular schedules. We know our work schedules and workout plans. We now have time to make choices based upon our personalities.
1. We can start to prepare for the holiday season:
• Buy your cards and keep them in a bin with your address book. You can write cards while watching TV or sitting with your children doing their homework.
• Start Christmas shopping with no pressure. Take one afternoon a week and go to the mall. Get ideas, see the new trends and get a feel for current prices. Buy if you find the right thing or the right price.
• Begin sorting through your holiday decorations and decide what needs replacing.
• Find a few new recipes and try them out ahead of time.
2. OR we can ignore the holidays until December:
• Take a new class -- a craft, a skill or a learning session.
• Commit to getting into shape by walking three times a week.
• Have a fall party with people you don't have time to see.
• Take a trip before everyone gets too busy.
November is one of the months when there are not a lot of pre-set obligations. It is almost a blank slate and allows you to use it as you feel best. If you are always left feeling overwhelmed after the holiday season, maybe you can use November to help. If you are always feeling blah in the fall, use this time to learn something new and exciting. If you are feeling out of control and still feel you are not into the back-to-school routine, use November to ground yourself and create family routines.
Most importantly, allow yourself a calm month. We all know that December is a time when there's a lot going on, so make sure to head into it prepared and ready for action!
Tracy Lyn Moland is a best selling author, corporate spokesperson and freelance writer. For more information visit www.TracyLynMoland.com
