November Goals

November is going to be a bittersweet month for me. While I’m overjoyed to get stuck into some monthly goals, I have to say goodbye to my better half as he heads back to Perth for over three weeks on a course for work. I’m super stoked for him, as it’s a step closer to promotion, but it’s the longest we’ve been apart since deployment. It’s going to be tough running a home by myself, but ultimately I’m going to miss returning to a home filled with laughter and love.

Based on what I’ve struggled with in recent months, I’ve decided to revolve my goals around health, money and writing.

Health: Since moving to Melbourne I’ve adopted an unhealthy lifestyle, and I am beyond ready to return to a happier and healthier me. Seeing as we’ve recently joined a gym, focusing on overall health and wellbeing seemed fitting.

Money: The other week, I had a bit of a meltdown regarding money. I was upset, not because I’d spent money, but because I wanted to spend so much of it. Ultimately, I was overwhelmed by how much I wanted. My little freak out is what’s lead me create goals centred around money.

Writing: I’ve been wanting to partake in NaNoWriMo for years, but it always clashed with the final month of univeristy when all my assignments were due. Now that I’m working full time – and it’s now been over a year since I honours destroyed me – I am ready for the pen to return to paper.

Goal One: 4 x 1 hour Gym Sessions / Week

Why do I want to achieve this goal?

While I want to lose weight, I am refusing to step onto the scales this time. Instead the primary motivation behind this goal is to improve on my figure, general wellbeing and overall health. Since moving and working full-time, I’ve hardly pushed my body’s limits and I am beginning to feel the physical, mental and emotional consequences of being inactive.

What is holding me back? What obstacles am I facing?

I’m worried I will skip sessions due to my lack of discipline and my amazing ability to make feeble excuses. I’m also concerned that sleep and fatigue will also impact my attendance. Recent I’ve been feeling extremely exhausted, despite getting my usual 7-8 hours. This may be due to lack or water intake and low magnesium levels.

How am I going to accomplish this goal?

To ensure I stick to this goal, I’m committing to gym sessions on particular days of the week: Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (gotta keep it in sync with my hair washing days). I’ll also stick to the same gym routine – cardio, strength, cardio – to ensure my sessions aren’t too long or short in duration. This will guarantee that I can fit sessions into my daily routine.

My Reward

Gorgeous, new gym clothes!

 

Goal Two: Adopt a Healthier Diet

Why do I want to achieve this goal?

To assist in improving my overall wellbeing, I want to adopt a healthier diet. When I eat crap, I feel like crap, so I want to nourish my body with goodness. I feel like this small change can have big benefits, and while I can’t control everything in life, I can control what I put in my body.

What is holding me back? What obstacles am I facing?

The most obvious obstacle – cravings. Whether it be at work, home or on the train, the cravings will be relentless. And they’ll range from ice cream to VEGEMITE cheese toasties to smashed avocado. Another obstacle I’ll be facing on a daily basis is my work kitchen. Being an advertising agency with a focus on food, we have an abundance of sweet treats left over from shoots, plus the usual jar of biscuits to pick on.

How am I going to accomplish this goal?

To accomplish this goal, I’ll need to focus on healthy meals and snacks, as well as removing a few staples from my regular routine. To prevent bad snacking at home, I’ve removed all unhealthy treats. As for work, that’ll come down to preparation and will power. If I’m prepared with healthy snacks, I’ll have no excuse to sneak a biscuit or two. I’ll also stop consumption of coffee and alcohol to avoid feeling sluggish, as well as introducing foods that are low in fats.

My Reward

Feeling healthier, both mentally and physically.

 

Goal Three: Stay Within My Weekly Budget

Why do I want to achieve this goal?

Since moving to Melbourne and into my own place, I’ve struggled to grapple with my monthly income and budgeting. As a result, I’ve been extremely stressed, anxious and emotional. I want to stick within my weekly budgets so that I can feel financially stable. By doing so, I’ll be able to increase my savings  and feel less worried about my finances.

What is holding me back? What obstacles am I facing?

The biggest obstacle I face with my weekly budget is the food shopping and random splurges. I’ve also noticed that I’ve been feeling greedier, less grateful and more impatient over the last few months. There’s so much that I am trying to achieve with my blog and home. Rather than enjoying what I’ve achieved and gained so far, I’m demanding more from myself and my money.

How am I going to accomplish this goal?

To accomplish this goal, I am going to research recipes and prices thoroughly before I go shopping, so I know I’ll be under budget before I even step into the supermarket. I’m also going to focus on the mantra Do what you can, with what you have, where you are to help me reflect on what I do have, rather than focusing on what I want. That way I’ll be less tempted to splurge. Also, watching Confessions of a Shopaholic wouldn’t go astray.

My Reward

Feeling less stressed and anxious regarding money.

 

Goal Four: Write in my Gratitude Journal Daily

Why do I want to achieve this goal?

November is going to be a challenging month, and I’m expecting many melancholy moments with Kyal being away. But behind all the frustrations, deep down I know I’m lucky and that I’ve got so much to be thankful for and happy about. By keeping a consistent gratitude journal, I’ll be able to reflect on all the beauty that fills my day and improve my mental health.

What is holding me back? What obstacles am I facing?

So far the biggest obstacle I’ve faced with my gratitude journal is disorganised, late nights. I suspect this will continue as I try to cram my hobbies in a two hour gap between returning home and sleeping.

How am I going to accomplish this goal?

Knowing my tendency to rush bedtime, I’m determined to have structured evenings that’ll ensure I complete my journal entry. If that fails, I’ll consider writing on my commute home.

My Reward

A beautiful new journal.

 

Goal Five: Write 50,000 words during NaNoWriMo

Why do I want to achieve this goal?

After I completed honours, I wanted a break from creative writing, but the hiatus has gone for far too long. It’s always been my dream to be a novelist, and I am eager to dive back into my imagination. But I need more than just a dream, I need a goal to work towards, so for this month I am attempting to complete a 50,000 draft that I can work off.

What is holding me back? What obstacles am I facing?

I’ve always chased perfection with many writing endeavours, and I worry that I’ll try to obtain a level of completion that’s just not possible with a first draft. I need to channel my inner John Green and give myself permission to suck, especially in the first draft. Another obstacle I’ll face is the anxiety I experience when I write in public spaces. I hate the idea of people reading over my shoulder, especially on Metro’s packed peak-hour trains.

How am I going to accomplish this goal?

I will achieve this goal by writing on my 1.5 hour commutes to and from work. I’ll write with paper and pen, or Hanx Writer if I’m feeling particularly anxious. Although I should remind myself, 90% of commuters are glued to their phones. During this writing phase I will resist all editing, and I will take the time to answer development questions if I am really struggling with story progression. To keep on top of my word count, I’ll log the number of words written on a daily basis. If you’d like to keep in the loop of my NaNoWriMo, click here.

My Reward

A wonderful and completed draft

 

What are your goals for November? Let me know in the comments!

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16 Comments

  1. November 1, 2017 / 9:39 pm

    Fantastic goals and plans. I’m sure you can achieve all your goals and good luck dear. Gym is always the best, as I’m one of gym lover for many years and there can’t away from me. Now, I’m happy back to my gym routine after my long holiday.

    • November 7, 2017 / 1:05 am

      Thank you! Very happy to return back to the gym as I am so ready to push my body’s limits x

  2. November 1, 2017 / 11:35 pm

    Great goals! Good luck with everything, but I am sure that you can achieve your goals!

    • November 7, 2017 / 1:05 am

      Thank you Sonja! It’s been a rocky beginning but it’s never too late to get back on track!

  3. Jasmin N
    November 2, 2017 / 4:21 am

    Wonderful goals! I hope you’ll achieve them all and November will treat you well 🙂 Thanks for sharing these, good luck!

    • November 7, 2017 / 1:06 am

      Fingers crossed I can! So far November is getting more challenging by the day, by I’ll take it in my stride as I try to achieve this goals x

  4. November 2, 2017 / 4:58 am

    I am so inspired by your goals. I want to start a yoga practice and go back to cycling. I need to get an accountability partner so I can make sure I don’t get too far off track.

    • November 7, 2017 / 1:08 am

      Aw thank you! I love yoga – if my commute wasn’t so time consuming I’d be doing yoga every day! Having someone to go with you makes a big difference. My partner and I really push each other to make sure we go and get the most out of every session ☺️

  5. November 2, 2017 / 5:48 am

    Oh my! I wish I could goal plan as thoroughly as you do. You’ve got everything down to a ‘T’. Fingers crossed that you exceed all of your goals!

    • November 7, 2017 / 1:09 am

      I’ve lived a very precise life for a very long time! Don’t know what I’d do without my lists, diary and dreams! Thank you so much for your support! ☺️

  6. November 2, 2017 / 6:09 am

    You can do it girl!! I am also trying to become healthier, as after holiday it’s a bit hard to do so !! Best luck for you 😉

    • November 7, 2017 / 1:09 am

      Thanks Andra! Oh I know that post-holiday feeling all too well. Good luck with making November a healthier month for yourself!

  7. November 3, 2017 / 3:15 am

    Your goals are inspiring. I should start going to the gum more frequently. Its a struggle coz I don’t want to go to the gym alone. But great list!

    • November 7, 2017 / 1:10 am

      Thank you so much! It is tricky going to the gym alone, I always find I have better sessions when I’m either with my partner or really stressed out!

  8. November 5, 2017 / 2:34 am

    You have some gorgeous goals set! Good luck to all of them, especially to number 5, sounds so challenging to me.

    • November 7, 2017 / 1:12 am

      Number 5 is turning out to be the most difficult so far! Fingers crossed I can catch up on my word count ☺️

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