Soft Starts: Easing Into November Instead of Hustling Through It
There’s something about November that invites us to exhale. The air feels stiller, the light softer—as if the world is asking us to pause before the year closes.
But if you’re anything like me, that pause can feel foreign. I’ve been so conditioned to hustle toward the finish line, to cram in goals and to-dos before the year ends. But what I’ve learned (very recently) is that this time of year doesn’t ask for more—it asks for presence.
Easing into November is about choosing rhythm over rush. It’s about allowing ourselves to transition with intention—not as a reset, but a re-centering. Which I’ve been doing a lot of lately. I’m undergoing an evolution in all areas, and I’ve decided to stop fighting the current. And instead, allow myself to get back to who I am, while stepping into this new chapter.
Here are some things I’m doing to help recenter and transition into this season with ease:
Start my mornings slower. Instead of reaching for my phone, reach for stillness—a stretch, a sip of warm water, my journal, a quiet breath.
Revisit my routines. Not to overhaul them, but to soften them. Maybe I light a candle before logging on. Or prioritize a steamy shower to signal I’ve clocked out for the day.
Give myself permission to rest. Productivity looks different this time of year. Sometimes the most productive thing I can do is listen to what my body needs.
I’ve gone through sooo many highs and lows this year—with the latter part taking a more difficult turn. And well, I’ve just chosen ease.
As we move into colder months, ease becomes an act of rebellion—a statement that our worth isn’t tied to output. It’s okay to move more slowly. It’s okay to finish the year in quiet reflection, not a final sprint.
So maybe this November, we trade the word “finish” for “flow.”
And in that shift, we’ll find a gentler kind of progress — the kind that feels like peace.