Can you smell it?
Pumpkin, fall leaves burning, apple cider — it’s all in the air. I absolutely love the month of September (and love October even more), but somehow I can’t believe that it’s already here. The month of August was so so busy. August is always an exciting and pretty stressful time of the year for me as a teacher.
This August, I:
- went to a three day teaching conference where I was spotted by a reader!
- started teaching again.
The rest is literally all a blur — and I wish I were joking.
In August, I made a total of three goals — would you like to know how I did?
Become a more patient person: Next goal, please! No, seriously, I did not do good at this. I think I had problems with this more towards the middle/end of the month when I started working again. I spend all day being patient with people and students, so when I get home being patient is not my forte. This month, I want to do a spin-off of this goal that is much more specific. With that, I hope I can work on this goal little by little.
Work on my marriage: Um, remember that failure of patience? My poor, poor husband is usually gets the brunt of my lack of patience. We did spend a little more time together, which was awesome. During the summer we don’t normally get to spend any days but Sundays together, but we actually had a few Saturdays that we were able to spend the entire day together and do fun things like run errands and have date nights.
Run 60 miles: I actually ran 69 miles in August! I call that quite an accomplishment since my schedule became much busier in the middle of the month.
I only really accomplished 2 out of 3 of my goals. I ran my goal amount, I spent more time with the Husband, but my patience was tested hardcore.
My September goals:
Count to 10 before I react to a situation: This goes hand in hand with my patience goal from August. Obviously “being more patient” was too difficult of a goal for me. By breaking it down, I might be more successful this month. Counting to 10 in a frustrating situation is such a simple, but so effective way of not overreacting (which I simply need!).
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Tell the Husband one (or more) reason every day why I appreciate him: The Husband does a lot for me and really works hard to make me happy. After all — happy wife, happy life, right? However, I don’t really think I tell him “thank you” enough or make him feel appreciated enough for the things that he does for me.
Attend a yoga class once a week: Now that I am running longer mileage, yoga is a so important for my muscle recovery. I have a hot vinyasa class that I absolutely love on Saturday mornings, so I want to start going to that class again.
I want to keep my goals to three per month. Any more, and I think I would be overwhelmed. Although I think I can make “eat as many honeycrisp apples as possible” one of my goals and will definitely succeed.
Question: How did you do with your August goals? Are you making any goals this September?
{ 59 comments… read them below or add one }
I cannot believe its September already! I am verry excited for fall to officially start! Haha loved the last dog yoga pic
haha I liked the dog picture too - apparently I was loving the funny animal pics!
Wow, I love what you ran last month…I totally need to set a more specific running goal other than “run 3-4 times a week.” Congrats on that accomplishment! I love the yoga thing too - I think I need to get back into it (read: never really started!), because I really notice the impact running has on the body now!
I think I need to thank my hubby more too…how he puts up with me, I’ll never know! Props to him!
I love your goal to tell your husband one reason that you appreciate him everyday. I think I might steal it. My husband is constantly going out of his way for me, but he does it so often it has just become part of my everyday life! I need to remember to let him know I appreciate it.
I think your goals for August sound great, and I love that you’re telling your husband every day that you appreciate him. I think that’s something I need to work on too…
i’m actually trying to set some goals for myself as well. I will do a post about that either later today or tomorrow! I’d love to chat!
I definitely think you should add the Honeycrisp goal to September, they are sooooo good!
I have never set monthly goals for myself, but I think it’s high time!
Let’s see…how about logging 25 miles (running) over the course of the month and at least 100 on the bike? With bonus goals of drinking more water and putting 10 percent of my income into savings!
I don’t usually set monthly goals for myself because I would want to do so much and I would get overwhelmed. I like your idea of 3 per month though! My to-do lists each day are pretty much my goals, I guess…
I’m with you, October is my favorite month! I can’t wait to break out the pants and turtleneck sweaters…oh wait, I did that today
Is it really that cold where you live?
Nah, it is still in the 80′s, but the weather has been so weird lately with random rain showers that bring the cold temperatures. I wore a short-sleeve turtleneck sweater and light pants with flip flops. Just getting ready for the fall weather!
I have GOT to try hot yoga for muscle relief. I heard it’s awesome, and I’m reeaaady to sweat!
Prouda you for all your reached goals.
And YUM… apple cider.. I almost forgot about that gem!
great goals! 69 miles in august? amazing! I only have two goals that i can think of and they are 1) don’t freak out about grad classes. i’ll survive. and 2) keep working out - it’ll make me less stressed so I don’t freak out about classes.
I did so so with my august goals…to be honest I kind of forgot about them. Whoops!
How sweet! …I try my best to tell the husband how much I love him & he makes it quite easy because he tells me how much he loves/appreciates me. Lucky girl, I know!
Way to go on your goals & I think you did awesome! ….Add the honeycrisps to the list, do it! I totally would!!
You are a lucky girl!
This is such a good idea! Do you mind if I do this on my blog post today! I’ll totally credit you and link back! Haha and patience can be a difficult one.
Haha, I absolutely love that picture with the doggie poses.
I know what you mean about having patience all day with kids/coworkers, not so much when you get home to the husband! I’ve gotta work on that too. So excited for Fall!
I love reading other people’s goals. And then not making my own…
I’m living vicariously through others. IF I did have any September goals it would probably be to finish the book I’ve been reading since May…
ahha!! What book is it?
I am making goals to write one freelance article a month, to spend more time with my girlfriends (like one phone call and one meet-up a week), and to practice yoga at least twice a week <3 Love your goals, they're really great - and congratulations on your success with last month's ones! xyx
I love the girlfriend goal!!
Thank you for re-affirming the importance of that one to me, Chelsey!
I have learned recently just how important it is to maintain your own friendships whilst in a serious/long-term” relationship - which can be hard when you are constantly moving countries and cities like we have been…but is soooo valuable. Good life lesson. So that is what I am going to be working on. Have a wonderful day! <3 xyx
I sucked SO bad at my August goals. Almost makes me hesitant to even try to set goals for September. Instead, I think i will be doing weekly goal sheets that I have printed out and hung right next to my computer so I can see them every day and check stuff off (like a kid’s chore chart!).
My September goals are: to be a more patient person (I tend to snap when I get frustrated), to keep up with my exercise plan when I move to Rhode Island, and to continue to eat healthy!
Ahh, I can smell it! Love fall!
And I would really like to work on my marriage this month. Having a baby has really sucked the romance and desire to work on our relationship dry. It needs work!
I can only imagine!!
Ah yes, patience… I don’t think you’re alone is wanting to get better that it. I’m right there with ya!
I thought I felt fall in the air… but then I saw in the forecast that we’re getting 3 days in a row of scorching heat. So much for fall!
Congrats on the 69 miles. That’s awesome!!! My goals for September are to step up my workout routine, to find a volunteering gig related to Nutrition, and to make lots of time for my social life back at school!
October is my favourite month too!!!! I love everything about it, the changing colours, the crunching of leaves under my feet, the cool, crisp air, the pumpkins, the warm tea, cozy blankets, Thanksgiving (I’m Canadian) - I adore everything about autumn.
This October I will be travelling to NYC and Montreal - where I hear the leaves are even more vibrant!
I LOVE your blog Chelsey. It has inspired me to start my own: glutenfreeinbc.wordpress.com - as well as a joint one with my sister: sweetandsavourysisters.wordpress.com
Thanks for your inspiration. I will try to go to some of the gluten free places you wrote about from your NYC visit.
Thank you for the kind words Nicole! NY has so many awesome places to go!
I want to go apple picking and make some homemade desserts using them!
October and November are my favorite months of all time. Pure fall time!
I just died at the dog picture, too funny.
I didn’t make any goals for August or any month for that matter. I usually pick a goal though and work towards it, I never usually put a time limit on it. It’s a good idea though! It would definitely help me work harder.
Becoming a more patient person. I need to work on this more than anything in the world. I think that will be my goal this month!
I actually did set a goal to not curse as much. It’s such a bad habit but it’s so hard!
I love your yoga goal! I often get into the “it wasn’t a good workout unless I am out of breath and sweaty” mindset. I went to my first pikates class in over a year last Sunday and it was so wonderful and relaxing. And my abs have been screaming all week!
My main goal for September is to get more organized.
I used to think that too until I found the hot yoga instructor of my dreams!!
Goals = sanity and direction for me! Great job on the running one! Well and the marriage one too! I’ve been working on that one lately - with two kids, it can be hard to focus, but that is certainly no excuse. My attack plan - shut the laptop at 8:30. So so hard because I can hear all the blogs calling me…
Ugh, 8:30 is actually when I get to sit down and READ blogs!
I have the same goals! I need to do more yoga too and tell my husband how much he means to me daily. It’s so important we let the ones we love how much they mean to us.
I never make any goals, but I think this month I’m going to focus of becoming more patient as well. Little things tend to get to me quick and I think being a little more patient would be beneficial to me!
It’s probably not a good thing, but I’m not much of a goal setter. To be honest, I’m kind of too lazy to think them up, and then I just forget about them lol. Oh fails. I do have general goals, though, like to treat my body well and always do the best I can with anything I come across.
I haven’t been a goal setter in the past, but lately there have been some things about me I want to change!
Yes I just made my september goals! Happy to hear you’re not giving up on the patience goal - just trying it in a different way - shows determination!!
Thanks! The patience thing gets me every time - and it is seriously something I have struggled with for as long as I can remember!
i love those animal/yoga pics!!
and love that you said work on your marriage, have patience, etc..b/c you are so right. When we’re stressed, it’s the people closest to us (the ones that deserve the MOST love from us and our softer gentler side) but they get the brunt of our frustrations, vents, and crankiness b/c they are just…there. I totally relate and love that you are mindful of this. I try my hardest to be, too
I can’t believe you ran 69 miles! You go, girl! I try to tell my husband (it still feels weird saying/typing ‘husband’) every day what I appreciate about him. Even he does something small, like make the bed, I tell him “I really appreciate that you did that.” So simple! And it sounds nicer than “hey, thanks.” And you know what? It makes everyone feel good - and he’s more likely to do it again!
I just experienced my first yoga class last weekend and I loved it! I am so bad at stretching so it was definitely helpful! My goal is also to attend one yoga session a week!! I hope I can stick with it!!! Good luck to you and happy September!!!
As a teacher, have you ever set S-M-A-R-T goals with your kids? We use those a lot at the 9th grade level. If you’re setting a goal it needs to be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. So for your “Be Patient” goal… it was hard to nail down because it wasn’t very specific. I think your count to 10 method will help for sure! I need to do the same thing… I am able to be patient all day long with my students but the second I get home I have no patience left whatsoever.
YES!!! We use SMART goals, and I totally see how my goal was not able to be measured or realistic!!
I love that picture of the dogs doing yoga.
I did alright with my August goals. All except the one about getting back to eating out less. I think I ended up eating out more. eeek!
I really like your goal of telling your husband why you appreciate him. I think I need to in corporate that in mine too. My bf and I have definitely been taking each other for granted.
Happy September!
Ashley
I think every couple at some point takes each other for granted. When you go through the day in, day out things with them, it’s easy to!
I didn’t do so great with my August goals, but I’m determined September will be better! I really love your idea of a set mileage to strive for during the month. Maybe that’ll get me running more than “I need to run every____day.”
I’m being kind of lax on the goal thing lately. I have so much on my plate…so I have goals…but haven’t written them out like this yet. Mainly because I think mine are so repetitive. Study for personal training. Don’t go crazy. Play with my kids. Don’t go crazy. Did I mention don’t go crazy? LOL
PS - don’t go crazy.
Way to go Miss. 69! Erm…dear. That sounds a bit off. But you know what I mean.
So you were recognized by a reader…..does that mean the cat is out of the bag with your co-workers? I recall you saying the blog was not something you laied out on the table with them. Perhaps a topic for the hot seat.
haha no - she didn’t say anything to me at the conference but left me a comment. Buuuut I had a dream last night that one of my co-workers said something to me about my blog and I was like astonished!
Love the yoga dogs! Last year at our school we had a training on what they called “amygdala hyjack”…basically when you get upset or frustrated and your flight or fight response starts taking over. Apparently it takes 20 minutes for those chemicals to leave the brain…OR six really slow deep breaths. Six slow deep breaths will calm your amygdala, clear out the chemicals and slow your heart. I used to count to 10, but ever since that training, I’ve been taking deep breaths…and it really works! I understand what you mean about being patient all day and then taking it out on your husband. I’ve been guilty of that more than once. And heaven help him if I’m complaining about a student’s behaviour and he tries to “help” with advice like “you should just put him in the corner”. Haha!
love the dog picture! and i’m hoping to get more regular at practicing yoga too. it’s so so good for body, brain, and spirit. best wishes with the new schoolyear!
I set 20 aspirations for this year (my birthday was in August, so I usually set annual goals then) instead of goals… But, I’m thinking that I need to break those down to really do them. Hmmm…
This goal setting thing is such a god habit to have! I am going to give it a go in Sept
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