So it’s October. I could ask how that happened but I know. The sun turned and we woke up 274 times. And here we are. The last stretch of 2025. Suddenly it is fall. It is cold outside. My feet are chilled and my throat a bit scratchy. My coffee date during lunch yesterday sitting outside was more wishful thinking than sensible. But before I make plans for this month let’s take a quick look in which way elevating happiness in September happened.
How I incorporated my word ELEVATE in September
I elevated my soul by
- enjoying the last summer sunshine, just sitting, reading, gazing.
- attending a concert by Giora Feidman. I am rarely moved by music but I was deeply.
- skipping my exercise routine four days. I was just too exhausted and just wanted to hole up.
- booking (the first part of) my arctic trip.
- stargazing before going to bed.
I elevated my creativity by
- another night of coloring in my book.
I elevated my hobbies by
- reading. What else is new.
- tending to my terrace garden and harvesting remaining fresh herbs.
- picking and drying mushrooms.
I elevated my physical appearance and fitness by
- restarting Zumba class. It is even more fun knowing the group already. Three weeks done, none missed.
- doing yoga twelve times average of 30 min each.
- doing strength training eight times average of 38 min each.
doing yoga only six times. - closing my apple rings seven times.
- walking over 10.000 steps/day on seven days, total of 157km and an average of 7.246 daily steps (103% of goal).
I elevated my health by
- listening to my body and relaxing even though I wanted to exercise.
- reducing sugar again and avoiding blood sugar spikes AND realizing I can mange to eat only one or three pieces of chocolate at a time. Major progress for this girl.
I elevated my relationships by
- celebrating two family birthdays.
- visiting with my best friend.
- hiking with a friend.
- asking a maybe new friend to have coffee/lunch with me.
- laughing with the husband during emotionally challenging times.
- calling my sister – just a short chat but it felt good.
- leaving 54 blog comments.
I elevated my home by
- cleaning the bathroom three weeks in a row.
- cleaning a kitchen cupboard (involuntarily because of food moth – but it was a nuisance and on my list).
I elevated my style by
- pulling things out of my closet that I haven’t worn in years – but the fit again.
- shopping a bit (sports and leisure wear, socks and a bright red sweater)
I elevated my behavior by
- starting the campaigning (what a terrible word in this context) for the parish council.

ELEVATING October
- I will elevate my soul by
…doing Yin Yoga on Sundays.
…taking a bath at least twice.
…joining Elisabeth and the blogging community on the CBWC. - I will elevate my creativity by
…thinking about Christmas Cards (bonus: starting them)
…coloring some more as it is good way to slow down my mind. - I will elevate my hobbies by
…reading scary and dark books – look forward to that all year. - I will elevate my physical appearance and fitness by
…doing 4 walk over 10km
…riding my bike for an hour and not just for running errands.
…attending Zumba class four times. - I will elevate my health by
…getting an acupuncture migraine piercing. (rollover goal since I had no time in September)
…getting flue and Covid shots.
…having my annual OBGYN appointment. - I will elevate my relationships
…hosting my godchild for two nights.
…writing a letter to my other godchild. (Bonus: catch up on missing letters from August and September)
…calling my godfather who was diagnosed with some illness. (second time roll over goal – embarrassing)
…caching in vouchers for a cryo chamber visit and a Japanese dinner.
…having a book club meeting. - I will elevate my home by
…tidying up the storage room.
…preparing the terrace for the winter season – seed collecting, cutting back plants and cleaning up a bit. (roll over goal as I am not finished)
…listing five things on eBay. - I will elevate my style by
…creating some fun fall nails.
…taking a weekend afternoon trying on stored away clothes seeing what fits and while at it go through and trim the closet Mari Kondo Style. - I will elevate my behavior by
…planning and booking our spot at the Christmas Workshop of Christmas in a shoebox – my sisterly tradition.
…tracking my budget this month.
…applying for a fund in order to get some more AI training. (roll over goal as I postponed this one until I get a grip on the to-do list). - I will be elevating others by
…leaving three book recommendations on Amazon/Goodreads/Storybook of lesser known titles or important controversial books.
How did you elevate September? When was the last time you went through your closet? Are you joining the Walking Club in October? Do you have anything fun scheduled for October? Are you already thinking about the holidays?
And now off into the new months.
12 comments
What a good month September was for you! Regarding the kitchen cupboard, I have had that happen too—nothing like circumstances to force a clean-up. Going through my closet is on my list for October. We will see if it happens. I am joining CBWC this month, and will have some good hikes to share after this weekend as we are going to a NP.
How exciting. I am
Looking forward to all the posts in November than.
Yes a forced clean-up… it’s the kick in the butt that was probably necessary but it still no fun.
I am so impressed by your exercise efforts! And I love that you have the larger goal to work toward of your arctic expedition.
I am walking this month; heading out for a walk-and-talk with a blogger friend shortly.
I go through my closet regularly, but I really should do it again to switch out some “summery” things for cooler weather clothing options. It’s rather shocking how quickly the temperature drops in this part of the world in October!
Honestly I am impressed myself. From not doing a thing to such a mindset shift.
I love that you meet for a walk & talk with a friend. It’s such a fun way to spend time together. And it is rather cold here to. 4 degrees this night.
Yes, I’m joining the CBWC! I’m so impressed with your training routine and everything else you accomplished during September. I’m curious about the migraine piercing and the cry chamber, as I’ve never heard of those things before. I went through my closet a few weeks ago and am loving how tidy it is. I have not thought about the holidays yet – I don’t feel excited about them like I used to. I suppose it’s natural to feel that way as I get older.
Yeahhhh another participant. I am looking forward to doll house stories and crafty things. So exciting.
I was going to change my approach but can’t come up with anything so I might just stick to what has worked previously. Not sure.
The migraine piercing is something based on Chinese medicine and the Qi flows I think. Like acupuncture but permanent. I am not familiar with it but I am willing to give it a shot. If it’s not helping I have some jewelry in my ear… so.
The cry chamber sounds really fun. and very freezing you need to go in with shoes and gloves and hat and the rest is naked I think. and you can stay maximum 3 min. Not sure what the temperature is something around -200 maybe? It was crazy. I need to make an appointment with my sister.
Oh, the cry chamber is cryogenic? I was picturing somewhere that you went to cry, and thought…hmmm…the shower is the place for that around here!
I have been meaning to tackle my closet for years, and struggled with it, it felt overwhelming. Then one day a month or so ago I just did it. I didn’t intend to, I intended to do 5 minutes worth, but then I just kept going.
Congratulations. I need to learn to eat only a few potato chips instead of an entire bag.
Yes cryochamber. Crying can be done anywhere in my house. Ha.
I am hoping that once I start with the closet I get the urge to finish. I usually do just certain categories.
It’s been hard and I am not sure my willpower will stay with me regarding sweets. Luckily no potato chips around. That might be a different story. Or salted popcorn.
I am in awe that you connected with a potentially new friend. Wow. That is something that I find nearly impossible to do. So go you. Also trying to square the “relaxed and didn’t exercise” comment with the amazing amount of exercise and movement you had this month! I think it might be more “balanced relaxation and exercise”. :) Amazing month for you. (Sorry about the food moths, though. Ugh.)
I know the whole friend thing as an adult is soso hard. It’s really out of my comfort zone. So extra special to make it happen. It’s easier to have online friends and then meet because you already know you gonna like that person.
I like „balanced relaxation and exercise.“
So far no more food moth. Fingers crossed it stays like that.
I am going to say it: how is it October?? I am having a hard time wrapping my head around 2025, to be honest.
You had a great September. I love how you’re still implementing your “word of the year”.
It’s been a crazy and weird year – not as challenging as yours obviously but it’s tiring.