Happy November! This is the month where life starts to get a little cozier and stomachs a little fuller. It’s also the month with the forgotten holiday—Thanksgiving. Every year it seems as though the significance of Thanksgiving diminishes as people fast-track straight to Christmas. While I love Christmas season and December as much as the next person, I feel like Thanksgiving should have its month in the spotlight. This November, I want to focus a little more on the things that make me thankful and appreciate the blessings that I have.

Here is what is on my bucket list for the month of November:

Day Trip to A New City

I have been experiencing a bit on wanderlust lately, however I do not have the availability to do a big trip until next year. To quench my thirst for travel, I decided to that I would like to experience a new place. I currently have my mind set on Philadelphia so please let me know in the comments if you have any recommendations!

Random Act of Kindness

Is it still considered random if I plan to do one? This item could also be thought as “paying it forward.” With all the darkness in the world lately, I would like to do my part in brightening someone’s day.

Attend a Networking Event

To be completely honest, the thought of having to network is intimidating to me and a smidge anxiety inducing. I have definitely taken more chances when it comes to meeting new people in the last few months (one of the reasons I wanted to start blogging!), but I still feel overwhelmed by the prospect of interacting with new people. I would consider myself (and several tests agree) a true ambivert. Once I am in the company of my people you would have no idea that I can be shy or that I have moments where I need to recharge and be away from people. I’m hoping that I can survive a networking event and converse with some new friends!

Walk to Work (once)

I’ve actually wanted to do this item ever since I started working at my present company. Technically, I live within a walkable (but challenging) distance to work. However, I’m that person who will cherish the last few moments in bed and drive rather than carve out the additional 30 minutes it would take to walk (priorities, haha). Nevertheless, I want to finally prove to myself that I can make the journey. 

Gratitude Jar

Thanksgiving is a time of year that makes you reflect about the good things in your life. So easily can we get wrapped up in the things that we don’t have instead of appreciating the things that we do. This year, I want to start a gratitude jar in which I record an aspect of my life that I am thankful for everyday. It will be a good exercise in gratitude and a reminder when I’m feeling discouraged. I encourage you all to start one with me!

7 AM Weekday Wake Up  

Remember that comment about cherishing those last few moments of sleep? Well that has happened entirely too much in the last two weeks, thus throwing off my entire schedule. I want to work on establishing a new morning routine that doesn’t leave me dreading my alarm everyday with 7 AM being the latest I wake up during the week.

Slow Cooker Sunday

The approach of colder months has had me itching to break out the slow cooker. I’ve heard of a few people doing this and thought that it was a great time to implement it myself. These days, you can find a recipe to make almost anything in a slow cooker. The best part? You can walk away for hours and let the aroma fill your home while you get other work (or relaxing) done. Sundays would be a great time to make some meals that I can have for leftovers throughout the week!

Try A New Recipe from A Cookbook Once a Week

This month I decided to not focus on a particular ingredient, but to focus on the two cookbooks that I own. I was so excited to get each of the cookbooks and yet between the two, I have only made 1 recipe. Time to try a few new dishes and share my thoughts with you all! If you follow me on Instagram (@ambitiouslycierra), then you know that I enjoy documenting the new recipes that I try in my stories!

How will you find your balance this November? Join me in one of these challenges or tell me about your own challenge!

♥ Cierra