Monday, 10/7/24: Talking about planning for October

Happy Monday!

It’s a new week, which means it’s time for your next Monday motivation newsletter.

Read on below for some steps to a happier Monday and some positive thoughts to get your week started.

Three Steps to a Happier Monday

Each newsletter starts with three prompts to inspire gratitude and simple intention setting. Take a moment and jot down answers to these three questions. To give an example, I share my answers below.  

Step 1: What are three things I appreciated from the weekend? 

Step 2: What is one thing I can be excited about today?

Step 3: What is my intention for this week? 

GRATITUDE: From my weekend, I am thankful for quality time with my mom, sunny weather and enjoying the show Nobody Wants This (finished it this weekend, loved it!). 

TODAY: Today, I’m most excited to have a quiet evening with Matt.

INTENTION: My intention this week is to focus on abundance. 

Okay, your turn! And if you want to share your three steps, I am all ears. 🙂

Meaningful Musings: October Planning & Intentions 

“The leaves outside his window were losing color, their dark summer green washed away. William appreciated this small moment in time when the colors faded, a visual deep breath before the new season arrived.” 

I underlined that passage while reading Hello Beautiful last week. And as I looked out at the tree outside my window and noticed a few of the changing leaves on this early October day, I realized how much I loved the sentiment of them representing “a visual deep breath before the new season arrives.” Yes!

September was a wonderful month of settling into new work rhythms, celebrating friends and savoring any warm, sunny day in case it was the last one before the weather changed. But I am excited for October! October always brings with it an air of excitement of change and of hope for what lies ahead. 

The more I think about it, the more I realize that October IS a deep breath before the exciting, wonderful, chaotic festive times to come.

So, let’s take a deep breath together and check in with a quick planning routine for the month. I love taking a few moments at the beginning of the month to think about what’s ahead, what I love about this time and craft intentions accordingly. Helps me feel more present and intentional as we embark on the start of the new months. 

October 2024 Planning
 
What do I love about the month of October?

• It is fall!! Summer remains my favorite season, but I can’t deny the appeal of fall. The crisp air, the changing leaves, cozy sweaters… here for it all!
• Routines and deep breaths. I cannot believe we are entering the last three months of 2024! I appreciate how this month is still grounded in routine, before the holiday season officially kicks off. It really is our “deep breath” before we end the year.   

What big things are happening this October?

• My mom is visiting!! She visited this weekend and it was the best. The impetus of the trip was my first dress alterations appointment, but we made a whole weekend out of it and had the best time. 
• We have a family friend’s wedding in Pennsylvania. SO excited to celebrate Cleary and Damon next weekend and spend time with some of favorite people. 

October 2024 Intentions

• Celebrate FALLIDAY! Falliday is something Matt and I started a few years ago. It involves picking a day in October and dedicating it to doing all the fall things. This could include buying fun fall treats from Trader Joe’s, making pumpkin bread, eating chili while watching a cozy movie, etc.! Need to schedule for this year!
• Start thinking about the holidays. I know – it feels early, But at some point this month, I want to sit down and map out the high-level plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas (will be here before we know it!).
• Cultivate a cozy Sunday routine. This won’t be possible for all October because of some travel, but I would love to get into some kind of reoccurring Sunday rhythm. I chatted with a few friends about this last week and they had the great idea of doing a ‘soup Sunday’ OR committing to making a new recipe from a cookbook each Sunday. Want to do something that leans into the coziness of the season and is a restful end to the week! Will keep you posted on what I ended up doing.  

What are you looking forward to this October? 

Picture of the Week

That’s all for today! I hope you found something in today’s newsletter that sparked motivation, made you smile or inspired a positive Monday thought. Don’t underestimate the power of starting small… a fulfilling week starts with just one fulfilling day. You’ve got this!

Let’s make it a great Monday!
Megan