Hi friends! It’s the start of a new month, so time for another Month in Review blog! 

I started this monthly series last month as a way to bring you into my world a little more. 

In this series, I fill you in on what’s happened in the past month and talk about new goals I’m setting for the upcoming month. 

To find what goals I set last month, check out the previous “Month in Review + October 2020 Goals”. 

So, let’s get into it!

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Month in Review – October 2020

NEW INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT

It has taken me almost two months since the launch of my blog to start my Instagram account. 

And here’s why: 

• High level of effort with low return on investment, especially for a new blog. As a blogger, I’m going to get most of my traffic from Pinterest and Google. People have to take too many steps to leave Instagram to get to my blog. So, I waited until I had Pinterest, Facebook, and SEO down before moving on to Instagram. 

• I got in my head about what others would think until I realized that they’re not the ones living my life. Not everyone is going to understand or accept my vision, but who cares. They don’t have to understand it. I do 🙂 

• I’m a perfectionist and wanted to get everything perfect before launching my account. I come from an advertising agency, so, of course, I wanted to create the PERFECT comms rollout strategy! But when you’re starting a business, there will be many things that you need to do before you know what the heck you’re doing. I learned to let go and take action because that’s the only way to really understand and optimize. 

“We are so focused on figuring out the best approach, that we never get around to taking action.”

James clear

So, follow my new Instagram account @lifestylebyremi.

There you’ll find more behind the scenes lifestyle content that you may not find on the blog. 

I promise to only fill your feeds with positive, uplifting, and motivating content. 

VOTED EARLY

Voting this year feels so different from all the years before. After the year that we’ve had, it felt extra good casting my vote towards things that mattered to me. 

This year brought a greater understanding and appreciation for the power of the vote. 

We got to see the current government in action as they navigated the COVID-19 crisis and many other issues. 

It shone a light that helped us all to truly understand how important it is to have the right people in office for times like these. 

This year stressed the importance of taking an active role in our lives and showing up for crucial decision moments like this election. 

LAKERS AND DODGERS are champions

What a time to be a Los Angeles sports fan! I’m both extremely happy and also just as frustrated that we can’t properly celebrate as a city! 

Words can’t even describe how much these wins mean to the city of LA. 

LA needed these wins, especially after the tragic loss of Kobe Bryant, Gianna, and the seven others on that helicopter flight earlier this year. 

Kobe’s death shook the city to its core. Even writing about it now makes me emotional because he was so much more than just an athlete to us here in Los Angeles. 

He was faithful to us for his entire 20-year career, and he continued to do so much for the community even after he retired. 

He will forever be missed. 

FINISHED THREE BOOKS 

I challenged myself to finish three books in October, and I did it! 

Reading has been very therapeutic for me because it allows me to have time away from the screen. 

I’m able to put down my phone and get sucked into whatever story that I’m reading. 

Reading has expanded my vocabulary, and I like the feeling of my brain actively working as I read versus the feeling of mindlessly scrolling on social media while time passes by. 

Here are the three books I finished this month: 

• Pachinko by Min Jin Lee – This is one of my favorite books now! Pachinko is a story that follows four generations of a poor immigrant Korean family living in 20th-century Japan, exiled from their home due to war. You learn of the family’s struggles with religion, the meaning of “home,” and the internal conflict to adapt for survival in a country that doesn’t want them there. 

• Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo – This is a YA book about two sisters whose lives did not intersect until tragedy struck their family. The book hits themes of grief, sexual assault, sisterhood, betrayal, cultural identity, and family. The book is a quick read since it’s written in verse! 

• Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell – I read this book to get into the Halloween mood! This book is about the aftermath of the disappearance of a 15-year old girl named Ellie Mack. Ten years later, her mother is trying to move on and meets a man. All is well until she meets his daughter and she gets a weird feeling that she can’t shake. If you’re into shows like CSI and Criminal Minds, then this one’s for you! 

I’m always looking for book recommendations! Leave a comment down below with any good books you’ve read recently!

OCTOBER FAVORITE: PUMPKIN CARVING

I carved a pumpkin this year! I haven’t carved a pumpkin since grade school, so I had forgotten how tedious and messy it was to do. 

Carving pumpkins was fun because you only really get to do it once a year. And an overarching goal for myself has been to start taking advantage of what each season offers. 

Here’s a picture of me and my friend’s finished pumpkin!

If you need some ideas for how to get in the fall mood, make sure to check out my fall bucket list or download a printable of the list to check off activities as you go!

Now onto the goals I’ve set for myself this month! 

November 2020 Goals

VIDEO CONTENT

Last month I said I wanted to try video editing but, that didn’t happen! I spent most of the month writing and researching to keep up with my blog posting schedule. 

Now that my Lifestyle by Remi Instagram is active, I’m excited to show my face more through IG stories! Being in front of the camera is waaaay outside of my comfort zone, but I feel like IG stories are a low-stakes way for me to practice. 

Plus, I’ll be able to show you more BTS into my life! So lookout for more of that content coming soon!

DAILY GRATITUDE JOURNAL

I’m challenging myself to write one thing down that I’m thankful for every day this month. I even bought a special notebook to use for this exercise!

A lot is happening in our world right now – so much change, disruption, and uncertainty. That’s why I want to focus on my mental health and take time each day to remember what I have in front of me to be grateful for. 

It’s easy to get lost in the shuffle and swirl of everything happening around us. Writing in a journal and taking time to reflect on the good can help bring you back to a positive state of mind. 

Here are a few things off the top of my head that I’m thankful for: 

• My family for always supporting my dreams 
• The roof over my head, running water, electricity, my warm bed!
• Friends who are my sounding board and who inspire and lift me up when I’m down
• Yoga pants and comfy sweatshirts 🙂  
• All of you who are taking the time to read this!!

For more about the benefits of gratitude journaling, check out my “40 Gratitude Journal Prompts to Stay Positive” post.

Or, use the form below to get a free printable of the 40 prompts.

SHOW UP AND BE PRESENT 

Finally, I want to set an intention to be present and show up in all that I do. Sometimes I find myself mindlessly scrolling through Instagram or getting lost in a TV binge, and I honestly hate that feeling.

I want to show up in my life more and not get too caught up living life through my screen.

Final Thoughts

I still think it’s crazy that we are starting the 11th month of 2020. Only two more months left until 2021! 

How are you all going to make the most of the last two months of this insane year? What goals or intentions are you setting for yourself this November? 

I would love to hear from you either in the comment section below or hit me up on Facebook or my brand new Instagram.

Stay safe and healthy, everyone!

Until next 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.}