NST: November 2023 – Sparkle

apple_muncher

NST:  November 2023 – Sparkle

Welcome to the last month of autumn, and the beginning of a new Turtle adventure. We aim to  simplifying our lives so that we can fly freely. (Now there’s a thought: flying turtles…) We are the Ninja Saving Turtles and we set ourselves monthly challenges that stretch us and engage us and keep us moving.

November is often the time when we want to hunker down, treat ourselves, reward ourselves, eat comfort food... But we Turtles know we still have a job to do, even while wrapped in fluffy blankets! We are here to bust our debts, hit our targets, reach out to others, and support each other all the time.

What do you want from November? Is it just a stop-gap month when you try desperately to get things perfectly aligned for THAT DAY in December? Take a moment to pause, breathe deeply and reflect. What really matters to you? What brings you joy? Now take a few minutes, and without editing, brain dump everything that matters in your life. Write fast. List everything. Review your list tomorrow morning.

 

Spending. It has to be done. But we can control it. Look at your budget (you do have one, don’t you?). Does it need tweaking, with all the price increases? Are you taking your lunch to work? Shopping with a list, having planned your meals? Start 1 or 2 new habits this month, ones that are simple and will make you feel better (eg: drink a glass of water on waking, practise meditation, read for 30 mins before bed)

Plan your month: appointments, meetings, kids’ activities, (ir)regular events. And any food/drinks you might need whilst out and about. Start to plan what you will need for THAT DAY next month. And then simplify it: reduce the amount and variety of food you get in; reduce the amount of presents you ‘have’ to give; reduce the amount you spend on people. We know not to get sucked in to the rampant and blatant consumerism at this time of year, but it does tug very hard! Pay to your debt or savings first. You will then live off the rest, as per your budget. You will not wait and see how much is left at the end. Be present to enjoy the good times this month with as much gratitude as possible.

Alternate spending days-  at least 15 NSDs – that means you can spend on alternate days (generous, huh?). An NSD will NOT be spoiled by purchasing reduced items only, or medication, travel or paying for regular children’s activities or irregular ones like window cleaners (remember to put the monies aside in an envelope). Avoid any and every chain coffee shop and vending machine and corner shop. Support your local coffee shops and traders.

Remove 60 items from your house (2 per day) – recycle them, give them to charity, pass on to a friend… Sorry but you cannot remove children… (apart from grandmanerd, who has our blessing to do so). Find your rhythm in life and enjoy it – no need to follow the crowd. (Like being at a silent rave where everyone is listening to different DJs and dancing to their own beat.) Rejoice in the changes you are making and what you are trying to accomplish.

Kindness – we all need it. Donate – pass items on to charity shops, to friends, to friends of friends. Give money to charities if you can – we all have our personal preferences. Give away smiles. Donate your time – stop and chat with someone, or send a text, write a letter… Be kind to yourself too. We don’t all love the darkness like f0xh0les does, so try to do things on a daily basis that make you feel good. Get outside and kick through the leaves. Kontrol what you can (your behaviours and thoughts), kope with what you can't (the behaviours of others), kommand your morning, konquer the chaos, and koncentrate on what counts. (Apologies for the spellings…) Never give up on what is right for YOU.

Live your life. Love your life. We want to thrive. Make your living + working + sleeping + playing spaces separate. Make them what you want them to be. Get rid of things you don’t particularly like. Keep the fleecy blankets to hand, to snuggle up in. Get the twinkly fairy lights up (ours stay up all year!). Go on 2 outings. Yep, 2. Choose wisely. Or go on one and save one to carry over for December… Tread lightly on our planet and get out there and enjoy fresh air every day: breathe it in slowly and deeply and energise your body. Come on here every day and post three things you are grateful for. Don’t wait until the 4th Thursday in November to give thanks. Make every day a Thanksgiving day.

Exercise to your level and enjoy yourself. Get outside as much as you can. Breathe deep and reflect. What really matters? What brings you joy? Do you have an elephant in your life? Keep taking one bite at a time and look back at the end of the month to see your progress.

 

Who is with me for a month of sparkle?

apple_muncher

Reserved for November sparklers

1 apple_muncher

2 beanielou

3 Toni'sfriend

4 grandmanerd

5 Shrewbie

6 abundant1972

7 Esmeralda2662

8 weenancyinAmerica

9 ldee2111

10 Doris17

11 ditty1234

12 KajiKita

13 pollyanna_26

14 wishus

15 DawnW

16 PurpleJay

17 craftingmad

18 ThriftyTaylor

19 leftatthetrafficlights

20 lcc86

21 laura_lau

22 Flying_By

55 f0xh0les

beanielou

I would love to be a November sparkler. 

Thank you @apple_muncher for our lovely shiny new sparkling thread. 

Toni'sfriend

Me please,  Apple

grandmanerd

Me please apple I will  have to work on my sparkle

Shrewbie

Hola! Could I join please Apple? 

abundant1972

Sign me up please Apple. Also need to get my sparkle ✨ on... 

Esmeralda2662

Please sign me up, @apple_muncher! Thank you 

weenancyinAmerica

I have 25 NSD in October so far and if I work it right (the way it is on my to-do-list), I will have 28 by the end of the month. This is thanks to the inspiration on here entirely. Can I add my name to the list this month. I am finally building up the courage to work on things. I especially need that 60 things out and the 2 activities. I realized the other day that all of my outings were either shopping for groceries and pet food, going to see the doctors, or doing volunteer work at the Library or the Family History Center. I have no social life at all. I really need to work on Sparkling this month. Thank you.

ldee2111

Can you add me too please @apple_muncher.

apple_muncher

Shrewbieeeeee! Holaaaaaaa! How's things?