It's so satisfying that the first of October also falls on a Monday! How perfect for starting fresh as we dive in to the season of vibrant leaves, pumpkin patches, and crisp air. It feels as if we all get some pep in our steps when the sweltering heat is replaced with sharp, frosty mornings. On perfect October days, the sun can even grace us with her presence; she cuts through the chill and sets the autumn trees aglow.
New month, new season, new week. This is our time! I don't know about you, but I am bursting with excitement! I'm too aware of the fact that winter is creeping up in the distance, but for now I want to enjoy every moment of fall that I can...which is quite the challenge, considering I work at Party City and it is now Halloween season.
This is why it's so important to plan!
I do have a subject that I'd like to shed some light on: having goals while maintaining the practice of self-love. While it can be a tricky balance, it IS possible.
Unfortunately, I've noticed a decent amount of negativity surrounding the concept of trying to better yourself; it seems as if it's interpreted as wanting to change yourself out of hate.
I'll use myself as an example. I've been receiving passive-aggressive comments about how "fitspo" people (meaning "fit inspiration" people, which I have never claimed to be) promote being thin and using unhealthy methods to achieve the "perfect body." While there are plenty of awful influences in the health and fitness world, I aim to change that. The entire point of sharing raw pieces of my life and journey is to promote listening to your body, eating whole foods, moving a little every day, and taking care of the mind.
In short,I am in the process of working on a list of physical, mental, and personal goals. But that does not mean I hate myself or that I want to change who I am; it means that I want to work on myself from a place of love and patience so that the authentic, happiest version of me can thrive.
This is where you need to be honest with yourself: why do you have the goals that you do? What is your "why"? Do you want to lose weight to be thin? Or do you want to eat food that nourishes your body to bring healing and to feel better? Do you want to get that job offer because society will praise you for fitting the standard mold? Or do you want it because it's your dream job (or moving you closer to your dream job)?
I believe that the intention of your goal sets the tone of whether your desires are coming from a place of loving/bettering yourself, or hating yourself.
If you're content staying exactly the same, then that's perfectly fine. For me, I think there's always room for growth. That does NOT mean trying to reach perfection, because "perfect" does not exist. But as humans we can always improve the relationship with ourselves, we can always learn something new, and we can all use a little more contentment in our lives.
With all of that being said, embrace October with a heart full of love for YOU. This is your time. Even if you don't feel ready, dive in; you will never feel completely ready. Sometimes it simply has to be a leap of faith. As long as your intentions are from a place of love, you cannot truly fail.
What are your goals for October?
*picture credit: Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes, 1992