Taking Stock November + A Time To Reclaim All Your Thursdays!

Hello there beautiful humans and Happy Thanksgiving Day! :) Get comfortable, grab a hot cup of something and join me on this much-needed Taking Stock post… Shall we?

I know you are probably wondering: why are we reclaiming our Thursdays? Where did they go?

Well, stay with me for a moment, and consider this question… Is there something in your life that you stopped doing, somewhere along the way? A really good habit that you let slip away…. How do you feel about it?

These are my confessions…

Okay, so I have been trying to write this specific blog for the past few months (4 to be exact). Though unexpected, finding my way back to blogging (after such a long break) has been one of the hardest things to do. 

And over that time, my Thursdays became something of a sore spot… If you are an OG Scrapbook Journeys’ reader, then you remember the days when nearly every Thursday meant that we had a date… You and I, going steady with a blog post between us. Then life (+writer’s block) happened.

It’s been difficult finding my way back. So difficult, that I found myself on Google searching: ‘how do I get back to blogging when it’s been so long?’ 

Thankfully, Google did what Google does. It made me realise that I am not the first Blogger who’s struggled with writing their first post after being away. Nor will I be the last. And quite honestly, that made me feel like a normal human being. :)

Someone else on Google said: make it simple. So, here we are… making this as simple as possible. 

The first step is simply showing up, scars and all...

Cheers To Reclaiming all the things… Our Thursdays Included!

I love our Taking Stock posts. They help us keep it candid on here. We get to share the good, the bad, and the lessons in between. 

Taking Stock also keeps me honest, as it reminds me why I started this journey. From the beginning, my goal has always been to write from a place that feels authentic.

I never want to write for the sake of writing, just so we have a blog post coming out each Thursday. 

This time away has taught me the value of pouring into one’s own cup, consistently. And as a Creative, keeping that cup full is even more imperative, as you can’t pour from an empty cup.

So, I will not be feeling guilty for being away, or for taking time off in the future, as and when needed. Thanks to the hiatus, I have found my love for writing again. :)

In essence, reclaiming my ‘Thursdays’ represents freedom from the internal guilt and pressure. It means choosing progress over perfection, or ‘performance’ for the sake of it.

The second step is acknowledging: it’s okay to adapt, to make space for life and all that comes with it.

Let’s chat about you now… What does your ‘Thursday’ represent for you? It could be working out, eating healthy, taking up a hobby…

What is that one thing you want to reclaim for yourself with zero guilt attached to it? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

A Time to Give Thanks… + BAKE AWARDS Nomination!

What are you really thankful for? Take a moment to really think through this one. Then, name them all… big or small, name them.

The third step to reclaiming our Thursdays is cultivating a heart of gratitude. :)

I’ll start… I am grateful for healing. I’ve had some health challenges this year. Looking back, I am super grateful to God for getting me to the other side of it all!

Also, I have some awesome blog news to share… Scrapbook Journeys has been nominated for the BAKE Awards in the Travel Category! Whoop whoop! After many years of doing this, I am genuinely so thankful for the support you’ve shown this blog, you, my faithful readers. :)

Your continued support makes it feel like we’ve already won! Hence, whatever happens, this is our collective achievement and win!

>> P.S. I would love and appreciate your votes HERE. Thank you in advance for your support!! :)

I hope that as you identify the blessings in your own life, you give yourself grace and notice how things are working out for you. Gratitude, for the big and small things changes our heart space and mindset.

***

Yes, I am giving us the permission to release shame and guilt… We get to reclaim our power and assign new meaning to the things we choose to reclaim! Make it as simple as it needs to be. Then top it all off with gratitude.

I believe that we get to start over as many times as we need to. And it doesn’t have to be perfect at each turn. So, let’s go for it! Deal? :)

Taking Stock November 2025

Buying: Books and Christmas gifts for the family early. At least that’s the plan, wish me luck! :)

Craving: A trip to a new place like Lesotho, so I can experience my first snow in Africa! 

Cooking: Scrambled eggs. Or some version of it…

Drinking: Mixed black tea.

Eating:  Watermelon. Ha! People really do change. :)

Enjoying: The way the sun-rays stream into my room first thing in the morning. :)

Feeling: Excited and grateful to be writing again. 

Hoping: To travel more!

Learning: Spanish on DuoLingo! Also, I need to find someone to practise speaking Spanish with!

Listening: To ‘Nge Thanda Wena’ by Mlindo the Vocalist, on repeat. It has such an uplifting vibe!

Looking: For an affordable book supplier! Someone tell me, when did reading become such a costly hobby? :D

Making: My Christmas movies’ watchlist in advance. Share your suggestions in the comments below! 

Missing: All my nieces and nephews. This has become a constant! :(

Noticing: There is such great power in our thoughts and words.

Quick Tip:

• Did you know that we tend to be our own biggest critics? So, the next time a negative thought comes up about something you didn’t do, counter it with something positive. Reclaim your thoughts too!

Praying: For our country- always. 

Reading: ‘Homegoing‘ by Yaa Gyasi. Recently finished this and goodness, what a heartbreaking book! It’s the kind of book that doesn’t really give you the time to process what just happened or foster any false hopes before it breaks your heart, yet again.

I reckon the storyline would make for an excellent television series because of the numerous stories within. I would certainly watch it! :)

Thinking: About how many times I have edited this blog post and ‘almost published it’… It’s going out today- come rain or shine!

Wanting: To enjoy blogging and traveling again. Truly. 

Watching: A British drama series based on the Mitford sisters, called ‘Outrageous’. Considering it is based on true events, I think the plot is itself outrageous!

I can’t say more without giving spoilers… If you enjoy a period historical drama based on the early 1900’s then I’d recommend you try it!

Wishing: For this year to surprise us with the best endings!

Working: On improving my video editing skills. I really do enjoy editing moments into reels and seeing it all come together in the end. :)

---

Thank you for reading our November Taking stock post; I appreciate you! Feel free to leave a comment down below with your inputs and/or questions. I’ll be certain to respond.

Until the next one…

<< Stay. Inspired. Always >>