Can’t tell you why but I am in a funk. If you are a watcher of Grey’s Anatomy you might be familiar with the phrase “dark and twisty.” That pretty much sums up how I am feeling. I need to shake it off if only because my hands down favorite month has arrived and with it the most whimsical, beautiful, and comforting season…fall.
Picture taken while out for lunch two days ago. I. Love. Fall.
So how to break out of this mood I am in…I just don’t know. There are all kinds of things I want to do but for reasons that I won’t bore you with, can’t bring myself to do them.
Kim has a really thought provoking discussion going on her blog about pipe dreams. This week I have been thinking about my dreams (pipe and otherwise) and while this is not the cause of my dark and twisty state it has added to it with the sobering realization that I am not doing a great job of working my dreams. As pathetic as this sounds, I always thought that my dreams hinged on finding someone to share them with. As cliched as THIS sounds, I am realizing now that my dreams all hinge on me.
So what am I going to do about it all? Well, first things first, I need to snap out of my mood. The only way I can think to do this is by achieving–doing something so yet another month doesn’t fly by without note or with any regret. So here is what I propose…I am writing a list of goals/things I want to do/see/accomplish this month. The kinds of things that I want to do and always say I am going to do and could easily do but then comes life and I get busy and lazy and don’t have the motivation to make it happen. I am hoping just getting these things done, if I feel like it or not and with someone or by myself, will help turn my mood around and get me that much closer to a light and clear mind which, in a way, is living my dream.
Ready for the list? (Itemized lists are fun)
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Make my first batch of from scratch, homemade soup (preferably on a cool, fall night.)
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Take a private Pilates class.
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Finish knitting Forecast (it is time.)
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Put together and give out Trick or Treat bags for lucky Trick or Treaters. (You know the kind I am talking about right? Those small white paper bags filled with an assortment of goodies? I loved the homes that gave those out so why not be one of them?)
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Knit fall hat (already started…more on this soon.)
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Watch the 6-hours of BBC’s Pride and Prejudice in a night (for the umpteenth time but it has been a while since I watched the whole of it in one sitting.)
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Attend a fall-themed festival or event.
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Carve a pumpkin.
I know some of these may seem really simple and basic but I think they will move me down the road towards living the life I want and add a touch of the festive to my favorite month. I will keep track of what I accomplished here on my blog. If you have any suggestions for me–or better yet, want to make your own list–I would love to hear all about it. Let’s celebrate October.
The following 16 comments were originally left at blogspirit:
What a great idea! Because I am here to tell you that it’s no easier to achieve dreams once you have someone to share them with…my laziness is still getting in the way of my dreams!
I think I will have to follow your lead and set some achievable goals for the month. Even though I don’t enjoy the fall.
–Holli
I have two fantastic recipes (chicken noodle and broccoli cheese) at your disposal.
ERIN!!! Do you want to watch P&P Together and knit?! I have it if you don’t.
Fall = FOOTBALL!! Ofcourse fall is one of the greatest times of year. I like summer more, becuse that means beach in Hawaii, but fall is Utah is awesome too.
I keep telling Kara that we need to have a girls night and ofcourse we are the worst planners at it. But I want to know when you are doing P & P so I can come watch and knit with you.
As for soup I have a couple of really good ones I had passed down from my mom, just give a shout out and I’ll send them your way.
Halloween: The highlight of of Trick-or-Treating was the ‘family goodie bags’ we used to get at Grandma and Grandpa Hallstroms. I think it’s awesome you are going to continue that tradition. You will be one of the coolest people in you neighborhood (not that you aren’t allready) on Halloween.
Oh yeah! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONTH TOO!!! I think B-day celebrations should last the whole month and culminate on your b-day. And you are entitiled to an awesome b-day month this month, along with Sumi (Summer) Sunshine.
We tend to say…when I grow up, when I gratuate, when I get married, when I do this, that or the other…instead of living now. Build the life you would want no matter who is or who isn’t there to share it with you. The other person, if and when he comes along, will be the sprinkles on your beautifully iced cake called life. Your list is wonderful, but you forgot a very important thing. Hang with grrlfriends and LAUGH!
I think it’s normal to be in a funk now and then, maybe even necessary to have a little break so new ideas can come in. Be extra kind to yourself in times like these. Your list is lovely, all these things put a smile on my face. Homemade soup, hmmm, I’ll make some this weekend too, maybe roasted butternut squash and pear to say hello to fall.
My pipe dream would be to get a master’s in textile design and then have a job making beautiful clothes (but I don’t want to be a fashion designer, I’m thinking more smallscale)
i think its important from time to time to take the time to think about our dreams. Because life changes, and our dreams change too. I love your list, mmmm homemade soup. Perfect for this weather : )
What a beautiful picture. Thank you! I miss fall so much – I am so jealous of anyone who lives where the leaves change color. Florida sucks.
I hope you get everything done that you want to get done and whatever else pops up on that list. Make sure you enjoy yourself while you’re doing it!
those funky days can be a drag – yet with all the amazing color in the trees, you’ll most likely shake it off soon. October is truly one of the best months of all!
Defiantely live the life you want first, and then the partner will come. It’s interesting how it doesn’t work the other way around…
i love me some p&p and knitting. your list looks like a good start in enjoying life and taking time to do the little things that make you happy. have fun.
I’m in a funk a little, too, because summer is over and that’s my favorite season. But I think your list is a great way to highlight the special activities of every season, and to make sure you do them.
A friend and I make a New Year’s Goal list of all the things we want to do for the upcoming year, and try to tackle it a little at a time. Sometimes it’s taking a class for a new thing we want to learn, or trying to exercise more, or visiting a place we always say we’re going to visit but never seem to get to. These lists have been pretty successful and this year I’ve done most of the things on that list…you might try it and see if it works for you too! It helps you to get closer step by step to the things you really want to do in life, instead of just saying “someday.” I’ll be watching your blog to see how you do!
gosh as i sit here typing this comment i don’t really know what to say. i only just came across your blog and to see you verbalise the funk that i also have been feeling is unnerving. (although our seasons are reversed).
i guess i only have one productive thing to say and that is thank you for a lovely post.
Erin,
I too adore P & P, and Sense and Sensibility, etc. etc. I loved chatting with you at the tea.
Your dreams for you should be yours. I wasted a lot of my life waiting for my partner’s dreams to come into line with mine.
Now, daily, in some small way, before I sleep, I take a few steps toward my dreams. Your list is a wonderful idea, in the true sense of wonder and full. No life can be dull if you fill it with wonder.
My favorite quote is from Ralph Waldo Emerson: “When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” Sometimes funks serve a purpose. Accept this funk as the gift that it is.
She wrote, in knitterly sisterly love…
what a beautiful fall picture. it makes me miss living somewhere that actually gets cold and where the leaves fall from the trees…
sad to hear that you are in a slump. it happens to the best of us- though sometimes i think it happens to me more than others! ;0)
my life is made up of lists. i would be lost without them.
i love the items you have on yours. {bbc’s P&P is my absolute favourite dvd- you can never watch it too many times!} i look forward to seeing you cross the items off your list and seeing you get back into your groove, chickie x
Sorry to hear you are feeling dark and twisty. It’s a familiar feeling. I try telling myself that if I didn’t know sadness, how would I know happiness, if I had nothing to compare it to? It works sometimes… but sometimes you just have to feel crappy.
You list looks great- I might have to take on a few of those things as well.
I’m sorry to hear you are in dark and twisty funk! I love that you made yourself a list–those are almost all things I’ve thought of doing myself! Do you know that I have NEVER seen the BBC Pride and Prejudice? I’m almost ashamed to admit it!