10 Joyful Things About November

Historically, I haven’t been the biggest November fan. For many years, it was up there with my least favorite month of March (but I’m trying to love March more!).

However, I’ve really come to find some things about this month that allow me to feel my inner joy more and appreciate the joy of this month!

Here’s a list of 10 things about November that brings out the inner joy in me more—see if they remind you of your own joy within!

#1: Gratitude

November in the U.S. is the month of Thanksgiving, so it makes sense that this is a month when people are encouraged to think of things to be thankful for!

I first learned about the power of gratitude from my mentor (who doesn’t know me!), Kelly Noonan Gores
. I can honestly say, since then, gratitude has changed my life for the better.

I love this quote about gratitude because it encompasses just how powerful gratitude is.

So often in life, so many of us are seeking understanding. Understanding the unknown.

I know personally, I often find myself slipping into trying to figure out things that are truly just an unknown. Why something happened? Will something happen? Why did I do that? Why didn’t I do that? What will things look like in _ time?

Gratitude truly brings you back to the present moment, at least for me. It reminds me to be here Now as Eckhart Tolle says in his book, The Power of Now, and to really see how much good there really is in here and Now moment. Doing that, personally, allows me to tap into that inner joy within me at all times.

I also love the book The Magic by Rhonda Byrne-it is a month-long exercise in practicing gratitude! Her first exercise is something that I try to do most days, and it is a gratitude list.

Many people have talked about gratitude lists, but something I love in Rhonda’s exercise is the idea of including WHY you are grateful for that thing. She encourages this by using the word “because” in the middle of your gratitude statement. She encourages doing 10 gratitude statements a day, and honestly, I do feel so much better after taking that time to list 10 things that I truly feel gratitude for. For example: I am so grateful for my family because they show me unconditional love and support.

#2: All Soul’s Day

I’ve been reading Sarah Ban Breathnach’s books recently, and in her books, Mrs. Sharp’s Traditions and Simple Abundance she speaks about certain holidays that aren’t celebrated as much/everywhere.

One of them is All Souls’ Day which is on November 2nd. All Souls’ Day is also part of the Mexican celebrations of Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead.

According to Mrs. Sharp’s Traditions, All Souls’ Day historically would see people “visit[ing’] the cemetery, offer[ing] prayers, and reflect[ing] on the sweetness—and often brevity—of life.”

One way to do observe All Souls’ Day, according to this post is to light candles for those we have lost. Breathnach in Mrs. Sharp’s Traditions also suggests making “soul cakes” which are a mixture, from my experience, of a cookie and a biscuit/scone.

Though not what one would immediately think of in relation to joy, this day—I believe— has its place among living a life with more joy. As I wrote about in this post on feeling joy and pain, the two feelings become more connected when you live with more joy. All Souls’ Day gives us a chance to remember those who are no longer with us on Earth which-I feel-helps us to remember the joy of having had the chance to know them while also honoring the joy that is our own life.

While traditionally a Catholic and Christian holiday, I feel this is a day that everyone can observe. To take the time to remember those you have lost and honor them while also taking the time to appreciate life is a theme that anyone can take part in.

Here are some more ways to celebrate All Souls’ Day if this day reasonates with you!

If you wish to learn about how eight different cultures around the world honor loved ones who have passed, check out my post on How to Find Joy in Grief: Part 2.

#3: The Mums

Chrysanthemums, oh how I love thee! The smell is probably my most favorite part, but I also love how they have the ability to just turn any space into a feeling of autumn. This flower is the epitome of fall to me which makes it an awesome birthflower for the month of November.

Mums are also a flower with symbolism of joy behind it–what a fun flower to incorporate this month!

#4: The Cooler Weather

There’s something so exciting about the first time you get to wear a sweater, put on your boots, and perhaps even your jacket after so many months without it. My uncle recently told me that there is a certain joy in taking out your sweaters again- how true!

For me, I think it’s the coziness of it! Feeling warm and toasty when the weather is chilly and frosty. It’s such a nice contrast when November brings the weather that dip into colder temperatures.

#5: Martinmas

This is another celebration that I learned about through Sarah Ban Breathnach’s books!

Celebrated on November 11th, according to Mrs. Sharp’s Traditions, this holiday is celebrating St. Martin of Tours (hence Martinmas!). Among other areas, St. Martin of Tours is the patron saint of poverty.

Breathnach shares in Mrs. Sharp’s Traditions that this is a day that, “ symboliz[es] the light of generosity that illuminates the darkness of lack.” Being that a main theme for this holiday is bringing light into the darkness, one way to observe this day is by (making and) lighting lanterns (although candles would also work!).

Breathnach also suggests in Mrs. Sharp’s Traditions honoring St. Martin on this day by giving away clothes that you no longer using, but you could certainly also consider donating your time or money to celebrate the meaning of St. Martin.

Much like All Souls’ Day, I don’t think you need to be a Catholic to celebrate this day. The idea of bringing light into darkness and serving those less fortunate are wonderful universal themes that humans need to promote!

#6: The Autumn Smells

With the autumn leaves ending their time, fall smells seem so great this month.

The month of October has the first of autumn smells with pumpkins and apples and bonfires, but November really seems to be the month to smell the earthiness of autumn.

One of my favorite smells is when you are walking in the woods and smell the leaves. It is truly just such a smell that transports me straight back to childhood and playing outside during the fall and really just makes you stop and appreciate our Mother Earth!

#7: The Slower Pace

It’s no secret that life often seems to pick up between Thanksgiving/late November and the holidays. However, there seems to be a slowness of life between Halloween and the last week of November (I wrote about a similar slowness felt in my post on 10 joyful things for September!).

The temperatures drop along with the leaves, and people just seem to enjoy a bit of a slower pace for a few weeks in November. Even the way the sunshine seems to hit things this month just seems to make life feel a little bit more like appreciating being here Now.

Slow living is so wonderful, I believe because it truly grants a feeling of being more present in life.

I love this quote on November because it truly seems to encapsulate the month so well.

#8: Good Gathering

November begins the season of gatherings, and lots of conversation with people!

Being an INFJ, I lovveeeeeeeee authentic conversation (and struggle with the usual small talk!).

I want to write a post more on the joy of good conversation with people, but for now I want to say that something my family and I have come to love is The Hygge Game (another idea for a post I would love to write—The Joy of Hygge!).

According to Visit Denmark,

The Hygge Game is simply a box of great conversation starters. They may seem a little small talk/ice breaker-y, but from someone who isn’t big into inauthentic small talk, I truly find these questions to be a wonderful tool and lead-in to authentic conversation and creating the space for a fun gathering!

Many times when we have used this game, the conversation goes off on multiple tangents, because the question opened the door to a really awesome story or thought. I love when that happens because it really feels like good authentic conversation happening and that truly aligns with my inner sense of joy!

Some of my favorite questions from The Hygge Game include:

• “If you could add an extra month to the calendar, where would you place it?”
• “What was your favorite piece of playground equipment when you were a kid?”
• “If you could go back and relive one day of your life, what day would it be?”
• “What is the longest line you have ever stood in, and what were you waiting for?”
• “If you were a tree and could be planted anywhere, where would you choose?”

#9: Thanksgiving

What a day. A day of giving thanks for your blessings.

Not a huge fan of traditional Thanksgiving food (is there anyone else who feels this way?!) , this day is one that I am learning to love due to its simple message of giving thanks for the good things in life!

Other things that I enjoy about Thanksgiving Day itself are:

-the Macy’s Day Parade

-the process of preparing Thanksgiving food

-the family and friends catch-up sessions

-the emotional warmth of the day

-the slowness after the meal

Inspired by JoyFoodSunshine’s mason jar and popsicle sticks for prayers, , something I have started this year is keeping a mason jar, popsicle sticks, and a marker together in the kitchen and have been stopping to write something I am thankful for on the popsicle stick. I then put it in the mason jar, and I am hoping to have two mason jars filled with things I am thankful for by Thanksgiving! It’s a great practice in taking the time to stop and see what is going well in life at the moment and a fun game to try to fill up the mason jar by Thanksgiving!

#10: Holiday Decorating

After Halloween, discussions start popping up about when people like to decorate for the holiday season!

For me, I like to honor the month of November and the holiday of Thanksgiving by keeping the pumpkins and mums and other autumn decorations out.

However, the Friday after Thanksgiving is the day when I switch out the autumn decorations for the holiday decorations!

There’s something so magical about putting up the holiday decorations. Getting the stuff out of the attic and deciding where to put it up. That sense of magic and wonder that the holiday season brings starts making itself known again!

I feel such an inner sense of joy watching the house transform into the magic of the holidays.

-November Birth Flower: Chrysanthemum

-November Birthstone: Topaz

–November Color Palette

-Nailpolish Colors: London Fog and Lip Stain

–November Quotes and November Sayings

-Music: Jazz for Autumn, Autumn Leaves, and Autumn (this is a playlist I have made with songs that feely so autumn to me!)

-Full Moon: Beaver Moon

-Eat Seasonally: November

Comment Below: What’s something about November that brings you joy?