NST OCTOBER 2025 Optimism, Opportunities and Overcoming Obstacles

grandmanerd · 28 September at 8:45PM

NST OCTOBER 2025

OPTIMISM, OPPORTUNITIES and OVERCOMING OBSTACLES
September wasn't great for me, I've only had one symptom free week since the beginning of August and had a mental health dip as well. However I'm determined that things will get better and have decided that October is a time for OPTIMISM, for grasping any OPPORTUNITIES that come our way whilst being realistic about OBSTACLES and devising ways to overcome them

October Challenge
OPTIMISTIC OCTOBER

OPTIMISM The world's more than a bit scary at the moment, lots of terrible things happening. However 'There are many little things to be thankful for every single day. Practice noticing as many as possible and see how your life changes' (Cottage Whimsey). Write down your GRATITUDES each evening. Our own personal circumstances may be a bit grim but we can make minor changes and grasp opportunities that arise, if we are brave enough. The wise person thinks things through, anticipates what could go wrong and develop strategies.

PAY TO YOUR DEBT OR SAVINGS FIRST, live on what is left

THINK about what you want to ACHEIVE before the end of the year (and possibly next year) and set up your first steps to getting there (especially useful if you've lost your way a bit).

ICY CONDITIONS ahead. Get your family, your car/ bikes and your home winter ready (more later). Stock up on generic flu/ cold remedies, book flu/ covid injections. Think about what you need if it's icy and you don't feel safe walking out or if you are stuck in the house.

MEAL PLAN and cook from scratch. It saves time, money and mental exhaustion. Start with what you have in the cupboards, fridge and freezer and base your meal plan on those (My cooking last week was based on fresh veg, tinned tomatoes and beans, one jar of sauce, dried lentils and pearl barley. Pull out those 'one off, bought for a recipe' ingredients out, check the baking cupboard and if the freezer will need defrosting, work out the best time to do that.

I will be running the Challenge for the whole of October

SET YOUR BUDGETS for the month and stick to them

THINK THROUGH THE MONTH AHEAD Work, appointments, any birthdays or celebrations, family fun (Half-term?). Plan lunches for work, school and appointments. Book low or no cost activities.

IMPULSE BUYS SHOULD BE AVOIDED. Rack up those NSDs (15 please). Think or delay before buying

CHRISTMAS (Father C needs to shoot those pesky elves before they start their 'on the shelf' shenanigans). Read Martin's post. Set no-pressie pacts or low cost secret Santa agreements. Cut back on cards. buy at least half your gift wrap as plain paper (dotty or lines work too) and mix and match with festive designs. Sort a minimal present list and carry it with you. As an exception to the 'delay buying' rule, if you see the perfect present or something on your list at a bargain price, pounce (saves the mental energy of having to go back and trying to remember where you saw it . Only buy food you and your family love.

OFFSET DECEMBER SPENDING (if you haven't been saving all year) by setting aside a portion of your income from the next 3 months income.

CHRONIC ILLNESS. COVID cases are rising again. My brother is extremely vulnerable (a cough or cold could kill him), my niece was born with a heart defect. DS1 has long-COVID. Please take precautions, mask up if you are going to crowded places. Some people may jeer, some people don't care about anyone but themselves and will ignore any rules that are not legally enforced but let's do what we can. I will write more during the month about precautions and preparations for people with chronic illness/ those who fall on the ice (

TRICK OR TREAT. Find ways of coaxing yourself into doing things when you are cold and tired and sick. On bad days, getting in the shower gets you a gold star. SET a Small Budget for treats and write a list of no cost treats/ activities to keep your spirits up

OFFER SUPPORT TO your body by feeding it nourishing food (cook extra each time you batch cook and freeze soups and stews for days you are ill)

BE KIND, BE GENEROUS, HAVE FUN. Buy an extra tin with your food shop and put it in the food bank collection point. If you have elderly relatives with unopened multi-packs of socks pass them on to a homeless shelter. Help your children clear out old toys and donate 'for the poor children' (it should always be their choice to let things go - don't just make a bin bag full disappear). I had fun for several years by carrying the pennies from my 365 challenge around me to put in any collection boxes I saw.

EXERCISE Wrap up warm and get outside when possible - low winter sun is still sun. DO What you can for exercise - I'll be restarting chair yoga, following 'We are Undefeated' and writing the alphabet with my foot.

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS. LOVING KINDNESS is a profound recognition that our lives have something to do with one another. that EVERYONE COUNTS, EVERYONE MATTERS

grandmanerd · 28 September at 8:52PM

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