Taking Stock November 2024: Going Back To The Basics!

Hello there my dear reader! Welcome back to another Taking Stock post… And today, we are going back to the basics of it all! Curious what this means? Keep reading! :D

Going Back To The Basics…

The past few months have been a rollercoaster to say the least, and I bet you can relate in one way or another… It is hard to believe that we are in November of 2024! Yet, here we are! 

Today, I am here to give us all permission for going back to the basics- whatever that looks like for you!

A lot has happened this year, there’ve been some dark days… And before we know it, 2025 will be upon us! So, how about we take a moment to breathe and process?

Take a deep breath in. Hold it in for a moment. Now, exhale through the mouth, letting out a loud sigh. Repeat this twice, or as many times as needed…

Give Thanks….

In going back to the basics, I suggest we take a moment of gratitude… to give thanks that we made it this far into the year. I do not take it for granted that you and I are here… you reading my post, and me writing it. Life, no matter how hard it may get, is a gift we get to cherish.

Can you name 3 things you are grateful for? Share in the comments down below. :)

Take the time you need… Start Again.

One major lesson I have learned during my time away is that- it’s okay to take a step back and reevaluate things. It is okay to sit with the questions, when the answers don’t feel obvious.

It’s also okay to go back to the beginning, and start again. So, here we are- going back to the basics of it all…

For me, that looks like writing one word at a time. It looks like taking this journey moment by moment, and letting go of all expectations (the best I can).

What does starting again look like for you? Did you fall off from achieving your goals? It is okay. Choose one thing you want to accomplish before the year ends. Strip it down to the little steps and simplify your goal… Start again, here and now.

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars~ Norman Vincent Peale

Validate your experience

I don’t know what you are going through… maybe you feel a little lost. Or perhaps you feel like no one takes notice of the great efforts you put in. Your feelings are valid. Your work and efforts are valid.

Before anyone else validates you or your inputs in the world, give yourself a pat on the back. Acknowledge what you have overcome, the things you’ve had to push through to get here. Your life experiences are valid, and the world is blessed to have you.

Quick Tip:

Get into the habit of journaling what you are going through… However, it doesn’t need to be super detailed. Later on, when you look back and read your entries, you will notice all your victories- big and small. This helps to inspire us to keep going. :)

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Bonus: Declutter and Make Space For the New

Now is also the perfect time to start planning ahead for 2025… Give yourself ample time to sort through what is truly important to you, let go of what no longer aligns… Make space for the new. 

I hope that you will take a moment to inhale once more, and exhale deeply…. Take moments to take notice of the people & things that add beauty in your life… For if we stop to take notice, life blooms everywhere around us. 

Taking Stock November 2024

Buying: With more intention.

Craving: That mouthwatering ice cream from Non-solo Gelato in Watamu… it’s very specific, I admit! :D

Cooking: Up blog post ideas for the rest of the year.

Drinking: Blueberry Tea. Kenya’s flavoured herbal teas are underrated!

Eating: Oat meal porridge. I’ve become such a huge fan!! :D

Enjoying: Quiet mornings where I get to write like this…

Feeling: Grateful that I get to travel again… Look out for a new Travel blog post next week! :D

Hoping: That things look up for Kenyans. We need it.

Learning: How to balance between traveling for leisure and creating content. There is a balance there somewhere, and I mean to find it!

Listening: To my Shazam playlist. If you’ve not tried it, I suggest you stop everything and go listen to your Shazam playlist.

It’s like gifting yourself with the joy of music! I love how the songs on there are diverse, and some are even surprising to find! Either way, it is such a refreshing experience!

P.S. Feel free to come back and report how that went for you, on the comments’ section below! :D

Looking: For a good swimming coach.

Making: A 2025 Travel Wishlist!

Missing: My nieces and nephews – terribly!

Noticing: How easily I get distracted… This is now a work in progress, and an intentional journey to mindfulness.                                             

Praying: For this country.

Reading: Under The Mango Tree, by Vic Munala. It’s his first book, and what an amazing feat to accomplish!! It’s filled with nostalgic stories from his childhood, growing up in the village.

Quick Tip

>>> You can purchase a copy of the book at Nuria Bookstore or reach out to him on Instagram HERE

Thinking: About how to make a difference in two situations we encountered recently… Pray me well.

Wanting: To eat more fruits. This is a weakness I am determined to overcome.

Watching: Reruns of ‘Two Broke Girls‘ and ‘Ted Lasso‘ to make my days lighter and filled with some humour. :)

Wishing: And praying that this year ends well, because that middle part of it has been rather hectic!

Working: On figuring out what going back to the basics means for me, in each aspect of my life… I hope you take time to do this for you too. :)

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Thank you for taking the time to read our Taking Stock post, and for allowing us to reconnect here! I appreciate you! I’d love to hear back from you, leave a comment down below and say hello or with your feedback!

See you on the next one! :D

<< Stay. Inspired. Always. >>