Hi friends! It’s the start of a new month, so I thought I’d try something slightly different on the blog. I’m going to start doing a monthly series where I fill you in about what’s happened in the past month and talk about new goals I’m setting for the upcoming month.
I hope that this brings you into my world a little more as I take you along my personal development journey.
So, let’s get into it!
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure here.
Month in Review – September 2020
LAUNCHED BLOG
September was a big month because I launched my blog. It will forever signify when I took a leap of faith to put myself out there and take the necessary steps towards my dream life.
That may sound cheesy to some people, and I understand that not everyone will understand the purpose of a blog or how it could lead to anything. It’s not the “normal” path one takes or “goes to school for.”
That’s the thing that slowed me down the most as I was working on my blog—the thought of what others would think or the judgment they may have on my decision.
I had to keep reminding myself that I’m not doing this to appease them. I’m doing this because I have never felt more aligned to a purpose.
The minute I decided I was going to create a blog, everything started to fall into place. The big ideas were flowing. The path forward and all the steps I needed to take seemed so clear.
You have to go after what you want and not let what other people might think deter you.
You’re the one experiencing your life. And, if you don’t like where you are, figure out how to get to where you want to be and then do it.
FIRST PHOTOSHOOT
At the start of the month, I did my first photo shoot to get headshots for my blog. This was my first time ever doing a photoshoot where I was the person in front of the camera. SO. AWKWARD.
Luckily, I did the shoot with one of my best friends, and I had another friend offer up her time to help (and give much needed moral support!). It also helped that the photographer was my friend’s brother.
Doing this shoot was a significant milestone in getting myself out of my comfort zone.
It’s funny because this photoshoot was very last minute and not planned at all!
My friend and I originally had an Airbnb booked Labor Day Weekend to have a mini “business retreat” to work on our businesses in a new environment.
The day before our trip, the Airbnb host canceled on us and there was nothing else available (or in our price range) to book.
This forced us to get creative and reevaluate what our priority needs were for the weekend. Once we determined that headshots and product shots were the priority, we quickly pivoted and found a cute studio to rent for the day.
In the end, we got way more out of the 4 hours booked at the studio than we probably would’ve if we moved forward with our Airbnb plans.
Sometimes things don’t work out because the universe has something better in store.
My friend Kimi has her own calligraphy business, The Kimi Collective. To find out more about the products and services she offers, make sure to check out her website, follow her on Instagram (@thekimicollective), or visit her Etsy shop.
HIT SEPTEMBER FINANCIAL GOAL
In February, before COVID-19 rudely interrupted our lives, I made a travel fund savings goal for myself. I planned to drop everything and travel to Japan and Korea for 3-months starting in October… *insert crying face emoji*
Obviously, those plans changed, but I still kept up with my savings plan and hit the goal I set for myself!
Even though I can’t travel now, it’s nice to have that fund in my bank account and continue to grow it to have even more set aside for my trip (i.e., more food and shopping?!?! Yes, please!).
Although I had my heart set on traveling this year, COVID-19 gave me the time to create this platform and start something I used to think, “I didn’t have time for.”
Stay at Home is giving me the time I need to build a good foundation here so that in the future, I’ll be set up and even more prepared to travel.
Everything happens for a reason.
SEPTEMBER FAVORITE: A NEW EARTH
I couldn’t read as much in September because I was busy working on my blog, but I did finish one book – A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. This book has been on my list for a while, and I was finally able to read it.
Oprah wasn’t lying when she said it’s a life-changing book that will open your eyes to a new way of being.
This book is not going to be for everyone. Like Eckhart says in his introduction, you have to be in the right place in life to get the most out of the book.
For example, I don’t think the book would’ve had as profound of an effect on me if I had read it even just five months ago.
A New Earth helps you to understand the importance of the present and how to recognize (and separate) yourself from the Ego.
This information was especially relevant for me as I worked through my imposter syndrome while I was starting my blog.
I could go on and on about how this book impacted how I live, but ultimately, it has helped me find joy in the now and move beyond my own limiting beliefs.
SEPTEMBER FAVORITE: SUNDAI LOVE
I need to give a shout out to my girl, Sundai Love! I discovered her Youtube channel this month, and she’s been the main source of my entertainment lately.
As I mentioned earlier, I had my heart set on an extended trip to Japan. Sundai is a Youtuber who shares her life living abroad in Japan. So, I am living vicariously through her!
I recommend her channel for anyone interested in seeing what life is like in Japan. She’s HILARIOUS and has a great energy about her.
She’s an entrepreneur, and I like how she constantly reminds her viewers to go after the life they want.
You can check out her Youtube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOmHP6iwKup0Sf2Ag0p76NQ
Now onto the goals, I’d like to set for myself this month!
October 2020 Goals
POST AT LEAST 3X A WEEK
My big goal for last month was to launch my blog. Now that it’s out in the world, my focus for this month will be to post at least three times a week consistently.
As a new blogger, the hardest thing to get down is a new routine for writing and creating content. A month in and I’m still figuring out what system works best for me and how I can continuously keep myself motivated!
TURN IN MY MAIL-IN BALLOT EARLY
I’ve voted in elections before but this year reminded me of how important it is to make sure my votes are informed. I want to make sure that all of my choices support my beliefs.
Especially with the influx of political ads, propaganda, un-checked news sources/social commentary, etc., we need to do our own research.
I’m committed to being an informed voter this year. I already received my official voter information guide, so I am looking forward to researching all the different Props.
I live in California, so I automatically will receive a vote-by-mail ballot. These will start being mailed by my county elections office as early as October 5, 2020!
Instead of waiting for election day, I’m turning in my ballot as early as possible, either by mail or in-person. I’m excited to exercise my right to vote! We’re fortunate in America to have this right.
Check out the following resources if you’re looking for more information on voting this year:
DIP INTO VIDEO CREATION
I wasn’t sure if I would ever develop vlogs or videos of myself; but as I thought about ways to build a better connection with you all, creating video content just makes sense.
I’m not currently comfortable in front of the camera, so this will be a big challenge.
My goal for this month is to start dabbling in video creation and how to edit videos. I already have a camera, and I recently purchased lights and a mic. So, we shall see how this goes!
FINISH 3X BOOKS THIS MONTH
Books are a great way to wind down at the end of the day or be a great way to start your mornings. I didn’t make as much time as I would’ve liked for reading last month, but I want to finish at least three books this month.
First on my list is Pachinko by Min Jin Lee. So many people have recommended this book. I started reading it last night, and wow, I 100% understand why so many people love this book!
It’s a page-turner with how it pulls you into the story and makes you feel for each character. Leave a comment down below if you’ve read this book or have any book recommendations!
CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN
I want to commit to doing something for Halloween this year. Whether it be, decorating my apartment a little, baking a special Halloween treat, or planning a virtual Halloween movie night with my girls.
How we celebrate Halloween has to be reimagined due to COVID-19, but that doesn’t mean we have to succumb to not doing anything.
If you need some ideas for how to get in the fall mood, make sure to check out my fall bucket list for some inspiration.
Final Thoughts
It’s crazy how we are already ten months into 2020. And, it’s been a little over six months since COVID-19 drastically flipped our worlds upside down.
The biggest thing I’ve learned from this pandemic is to cherish every present moment because who knows what’s going to happen in the future. It’s not in our control, and there’s no use living in the past, which has already happened.
This has made me way more intentional with my time.
I don’t want life to pass me by, and I don’t believe that COVID has put a “pause” on life. COVID-19 shook the world and woke us up. It allowed us to slow down and reevaluate how we want to live our lives.
So, let’s enjoy the present moment and try to be more intentional with our time.
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This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure here.
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