November 2025 Recap
Just this one life.
Another month down and it’s time to take a look back and see just how lovely it’s been! Just like last month, as I write everything out, I’m pleasantly surprised to see just how much I got up to this month!
November always feels like a month to reflect and practice gratitude because of the Thanksgiving holiday. As I reflect on this month, I realize that I’ve been receiving the same message over and over again… you only get one life. Just the one. This one. Of course, I’ve heard this before and I know that life is precious and we only get one, but something about that is hitting differently this month. I think it’s starting to sink in. I’m sharing with you all everything I’ve gotten into this month, but I also spend a lot of time dreaming of all the things I want to do in my life. I just get this one life to do it all.
It’s so easy for me to get caught up in the day-to-day routines, troubles, and worries. Yet, with that one whisper of a reminder - just one life - it’s snapping me out of the daily woes and opening my eyes. Usually, this would mean that I start to feel anxious and panicked about the future, but again… this month, something is different. I don’t feel nervous about it, more of a realization. Like a reminder alarm going off that says, “Oh yeah, time to get after that now.” It’s time for my dreams to become my realities, my stories, my memories.
So, you all just buckle up! Because these monthly recaps are just going to get more and more exciting as I continue to push myself to live this one life to its fullest!
Building Consistency
I’ve decided to start running! This is something that has been brewing in the back of my mind for a very long time. I’ve always been too self-conscious to get started with it, so I made a ton of excuses. I don’t have the right clothes to wear. I’m going to look crazy. It’s too hard. I’ve never done this before. I’ve never been any kind of athlete. I’m too fluffy. Blah blah blah. All of a sudden, I just don’t care anymore. Something about running has always seemed freeing to me. Just running for miles, outside in the fresh air, doing your own thing. That just sounds like a good time to me. And still… it’s HARD. I used it as an excuse, but it is very true that I’ve never done any running before, but I am determined to make it a part of my life.
Something I am continuing to work on in my life is consistency. I know that for anything new to stick, I’ve got to take the time to build the habit. It’s got to be something I can commit to and maintain. I’m not going to be out here talking about, “I’m going to run every day!” HAH! I know good and well that’s not going to happen. But, I can commit to two days a week. On top of that, I know myself, so I have to pick specific days. It’s Tuesday and Saturday. I’ve stuck to this new routine for the past 3 weeks! I’m following an app to build up to running a 5k, and I’m surprising myself each time I go out. Just yesterday, I ran for 5 straight minutes, and it feels like a major accomplishment! I did not think for a second that I could run for that long, but I did. Boom. Done. I’m sticking to this routine, and I’m going to see if through. Now I’m wondering what else I’m capable of that I’ve wrongly convinced myself is just so farfetched. Soon enough I’ll be writing a post here talking about how I ran my first marathon!
Inspired and Blessed
A friend invited me and another friend to a documentary viewing of The Road to Recovery by Most High Media. She worked as part of this group to put together a feature-length documentary highlighting the stories of 8 individuals in recovery. Number one, I was so honored to even be invited to the viewing. Number two, there was free popcorn. Number three, I left feeling incredibly inspired by the stories that were shared on screen. One of the stories that has really stuck with me was about a man named Freddy who turned his life completely around in just 4 years. He went from living on the street, eating out of a dumpster to getting his degree, getting married, starting a company, and becoming a motivational speaker. In just 4 years! He inspires me to get after the life I want to create for myself, and to do it now! I feel incredibly blessed for the life I’ve been afforded. For the love and support that’s around me. With the help of God, the right people around him, and his own will, Freddy was able to create the life he wanted. There’s no reason why I can’t do the same.
Here’s a little photo of us just before the viewing!
Speaking of Inspiration…
My Mom has been and continues to be an incredible source of inspiration for me. I’m watching her work through a transition period in her life right now. Some old pains are bubbling up to the surface to be seen, released, and healed. She’s fighting the good fight each and every day, and she’s doing it with courage and honesty. I feel incredibly blessed to be here with her as she turns the page to a new chapter of her life.
As I see her work to heal herself, I take a look my own way and consider what is hiding beneath the surface that it’s time to bring forward and let go of. It’s not easy to look at those things. Healing is not always this warm wash of good feelings. It’s trudging up the gunk that’s sat somewhere getting even more gunky. It’s actually taking a look at those things that cause you pain. Feeling those feelings that you tamped down and tried to skip over. Crying… definitely crying. Then, in this strange inexplicable way, somewhere along the way of crawling through those pains something shifts and the load gets lighter. It’s not so dark. The answers to questions you’ve been asking are clearer. What used to trigger you, all of a sudden doesn’t set you off. And you stand a little straighter after that. You can see the next chapter beginning to unfold before you. And you even have the courage to walk towards it. I’m beyond grateful to have her in my life as my Mom and my best friend. I can’t wait to see our new chapters unfold in this next season of our lives.
Gratitude and Good Food
This year I was afforded the delicious opportunity to have both a Friendsgiving AND Thanksgiving! I want to let you know that the food at both were phenomenal. Eating food is truly one of my favorite past times. Julia Child knows what I’m talking about.
To enjoy fantastic food is one thing, but to do it with genuine, amazing people is another. I’m so grateful for the new friendships in my life that are bringing me such joy and filling my cup!
My family Thanksgiving was just me and Mom this year, and we had a great time! We cooked all day and she definitely put her foot in that mac-and-cheese! I even got to do my favorite Thanksgiving activity… picking and washing the greens! I have no idea why that’s the part that feels like Thanksgiving to me, but so be it!
Books = My Love Language
I am thrilled to report that today marks DAY 200 of my current reading streak! I cannot believe I’ve read this many days straight! I’m going for the full 365!
Also, at Friendsgiving, one of my friends gave me a book that I had asked him about and I’m pretty sure I squealed. If I didn’t squeal on the outside, I definitely did on the inside. Little does he know, he now must remain my friend forever because he gave me a book.
Currently reading:
The Hades Calculus by Maria Ying - I’m pleasantly surprised by this one! It’s a slower read for me, but it’s promised a cyberpunk, lesbian retelling of Hades and Persephone. So, obviously, yes.
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas - I’m honestly having a hard time getting through this one, but it’s the last in the series so I want to finish!
The Martian by Andy Weir - I’m kind of reading this, kind of not. It’s just not grabbing me, but I know it’s well loved. Leaning towards DNF’ing this one. Whoops.
There’s Hope for Me Yet!
You all know that last month I had an unsuccessful date, right? This month there were no unsuccessful dates… because there were no dates. Ugh. BUT, I’m not giving up hope! My heart just swelled with love when I came across some photos my friend posted of her cousin’s wedding. Two beautiful wives in love and surrounded by the support of friends and family. I won’t give up on finding me some love in this world! Hopefully, I’ll have a date to report on next month!
Short and Sweet
This month’s playlist is short, but still some goodies to be found!
Fun Fact: The last song on this playlist is from a band that randomly performed at my college (ahem ahem, more than 10 years ago). I was just getting introduced to some folksy jams at this time and my friend and I loved it so much, we bought the album (physical CD) and shared it. This song is from that same album.
A Little Foreshadowing
The Christmas decorations are up and I am really feeling in the holiday spirit! And I painted a highland cow. And she is adorable. Here’s a little picture of her, but I’ll save all the Christmas talk for next month!
Thank you so much for making it all the way to the end! I hope your November was filled with love and gratitude and I hope you enjoyed reading about mine! We’ll talk in December!
You really are making the most of every day, and I am so happy to watch! I can't wait for cheer for you when you run your very first marathon!
Thank you for sharing your month! I’m inspired by Freddy’s story, your 5 minute run and consistency, and your reading streak! I feel encouraged!