November

As November is the month that signals winter, it can also be a month that many of us find more challenging to navigate.

While the evenings become longer with more darkness, we can become more sheltered in our homes.

Is November a hard one for you or do you enjoy it?

It's been a struggle for me for a few reasons. I have noticed for some close to me that they or one of their loved ones is also finding it a tough one.

While November may be a challenging month, the aftermath of the global pandemic still lingers in some of us.

When you think back to those earlier days and how the unknown was like living in the twilight zone, how does it make you feel now? Are you past it? Have you reflected on what has changed in you as a result?

For years we lived in 'survival mode' but now are we starting to feel the effects of what it has done to us? Did we really bounce back as quickly as society would like us to think we have?

When you are trying to get through a difficult situation and pass by the worst of it - do you need time to process it and give space to talk about the impacts it had on you?

It is not a conversation we are having these days but one I think many may need.

I have learned a lot about myself in these past (almost) four years. One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that I could not juggle the pace of life pre-pandemic so I am mindful moving forward, I need to balance it all better.

I do believe the pandemic made us face some things that otherwise we were able to avoid, mask or hide before the world shut down. That is not a bad thing but it still doesn't make it any easier to figure out this new path.

I have come to accept there are things about me that prevent me from doing all of the things that I may want to do. Before I pushed myself to a point where it was not healthy.

Why do we always want to be able to keep up to what others are able to achieve? I think for me, that comparison was detrimental to my overall well-being.

I watched many people who simply jumped back into their busy lives because that is how they operate and what worked best for them.

There is nothing wrong with that but we also need to recognize for some, it's not as easy to jump back in. Your way of living may look different now and that is okay. You must honour what works for you.

The lack of compassion for allowing others to react differently, have a different point of view or just be different in general has been a glaring realization in the post pandemic era.

While we may not always see it out there in the world, being compassionate towards one another is a choice we get to make every day.

November can be a time of transition as we prepare for the longer winter months. Christmas can be a bright spot for some but not so bright for others.

It's perfectly okay to not be a fan of Christmas or winter but I think as November comes to an end, we can set some attainable goals to help us through the next few months.

Whether it's a new exercise regime, volunteering or learning a new hobby, try adding in time for social connections with those who bring you joy, comfort and laughter.

We can easily become hermits as the months get colder and I can relate to that concept more than I want to admit. However, the social connection really helps lift our spirits.

For me, I am planning to consciously limit my social media time. It won't be an extreme stance but I will be more mindful about taking breaks from it on a more regular basis.

This may seem small but I believe if we set smaller goals, they are more achievable and can usually lead to a longer term change instead of being just short lived.

Before I end this entry, I want to throw something out to you. Do you think as a collective group we can offer an act of kindness in December?

It could be as simple as holding a door open for a stranger, paying for someone's coffee, checking in on a close friend or family member who may be struggling, and any other way we can show up or bring love to someone.

I think the more 'we' as a community can repeatedly show up with love and kindness - it will spread. If more and more of us are doing it, we can become part of the change we want to see.

So while the pandemic has affected us all in one way or another, we have to honour the reality that we are all different but that does not mean we care for each other or our communities any less.

I know that November can be hard for some, so for you, please please please be gentle with yourself and know that it will get better.

Lean on your people. Reach out if you need support. It's not a weakness but a strength to ask for help. We all need it at some point in our lives and someday you will be able to be that support for someone else.

Let me know what your act of kindness is by sharing it with me on my Bits of Jules Instagram account.

As we head into December, let's take it one day at a time. Let's shift our focus on simple acts of kindness. It will in turn bring some much needed light to our darker days.

Life is precious.

That's all the bits of jules for today!

Jules xo