November is only a few days away, and, let’s be honest: it’s an interesting month. It signifies the end of autumn and is the threshold of winter. Christmas is getting closer (same for the possible holiday blues, oof) and we tend to associate it with gratitude because of Thanksgiving. I’ve noticed that November is usually uneventful since it’s mostly a transition period. Although, it’s still a great time to implement some good habits just before the Christmas holiday stress kicks in.
Good habits allow us to take care of ourselves, and they can improve our mental health and general well-being. They’re also a lovely way to show love to ourselves and become consistent when it comes to self-care.
In this blog post, I’m sharing 6 habit ideas for you to try this November.
If you’re new to habit building, please take it slowly. Start small. Pick one to three habits you’d like to try, and set just a manageable goal. As you achieve each one, gradually build your way up.
6 Easy but Life-Changing Habits for a Mindful November
1. Practice Affirmations Every Morning
If you want to improve your self-talk, and consequently your self-esteem, then affirmations is a great habit to try in November.
Affirmations are positive statements that declare the love and respect we have for ourselves.
No worries if you don’t know how to start because you don’t have to be fancy.
The easiest way to practice them is in front of the mirror as you get ready for the day. Repeat 1-5 positive affirmations for three minutes. That’s all. You can find plenty of affirmations online and even on my blog, but here are some simple but effective affirmations for beginners:
I love myself.
I am worthy of good things.
I am valued.
I respect myself.
Today is an amazing day.
2. Read 10 Pages
Some people don’t have time for reading and other times, they just procrastinate – just like me.
So, if your reading list just keeps getting longer and you genuinely enjoy the activity but you never seem to have time for it, then it’s a good chance to start small this November.
Stay at home, get comfortable, and read just ten pages of a book. That’s not a lot, right?
Alternatively, set the timer to read for just five or ten minutes. Reading will help you unwind, relax, and take a much needed break from screens, social media, and scrolling.
3. Take a Walk
When the weather gets colder, we spend more time at home. For those who work remotely, this can be even worse – sometimes you can go days without leaving the house.
Overall, we tend to move less in winter. There’s just something about cold and dark days that make a blanket and a couch the most attractive things in the world.
If you’re interested in establishing a new good habit that’ll boost your physical and mental wellness , something like a personal sacred ritual, then maybe it’s time to add walking in your daily routine.
Even a 10 – minute stroll will help you disconnect from screens and connect more to nature but also to yourself. Walking is a great way to stretch and move your body, and it also has many other benefits such as boosting our focus and productivity.
4. Practice Gratitude Every Night
Every night, spend some time to reflect on what happened during the day and express gratitude for everything that has been going well for you.
A simple practice is to create a gratitude list that consists of three to five things you’re grateful for.
If you don’t like this idea, you can think of everything you’re grateful for when you’re in bed and just before you fall asleep.
Practicing gratitude can help you stay present and appreciate the good things in your life – especially after having a bad day.
So, take some time tonight to think about these:
What are you grateful for today?
What are you lucky to have?
What are the blessings that life has offered to you?
5. Spend Quality Time with Your Loved Ones
When was the last time you spent time intentionally with your favorite people and didn’t just watch Netflix together?
When did you have a deep conversation, learn something new about each other, do an activity together?
I mean, it happens. Relationships require effort to grow, and sometimes life gets too busy, and we stop trying.
You can still improve things though, and start being more intentional about the time you spend with your family, friends, and significant other.
Schedule time every week for activities and things you can do together. Make a list of conversation topics or things you’d like to know about the people in your life. Make it a habit to check in with them regularly. Be consistent with nurturing your relationships, and you’ll see them flourish quickly.
6. Perform Random Acts of Kindness
The last good habit I’m suggesting on today’s blog post is simple and rewarding. Just start being kinder to others – even strangers. That’ll help you build confidence, express yourself more openly, and connect more to other people.
Just keep it simple – especially if you’re unsure.
Smile and say good morning to someone. Make a compliment when you like someone’s outfit. Give your seat to a person who carries heavy bags. Open the door and let them pass first.
Just be thoughtful and kind.
…
In today’s blog post, I shared with you six habits that are easy to establish and focus on various aspects of life.
Small habits can lead to significant changes and that’s why it’s important to include various small rituals in our daily routine.
What are the habits that you’re planning to try this November? Where will you put your focus on? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!