Hello, my friends! I hope you’re all well and not too distraught that summer is practically over. I’m not sure summer even happened because it went by SO quickly. The weather in Seattle has suddenly shifted into rainy-season mode, and our power even went out yesterday because it was so windy. While I should probably be mourning the departure of summer, I have to admit that I love being inside on rainy days, cozying up on the couch and sipping a cup of tea.
But I am starting to feel a little apprehensive about the coming months because they’re always the busiest times of the year (at least it feels like it!). I need to push myself to schedule blog posts ahead of time so that I’m not struggling to write something at the last minute. Has anyone come up with a technique for scheduling posts ahead of time? I always feel like I’m playing catch up!
P.S. If you’re finding it incredibly difficult to get back into work mode after a vacation or just the summer in general, I shared 5 Simple Ways to Get Your Productivity Back over at Embracing Simple. Go check it out! :)
Before we get into my goals for September, let’s do a little recap of my August goals!
AUGUST RECAP
1. Go for a walk every day after dinner. Yeah yeah! This was actually awesome. I’m totally going to continue doing this because it creates the perfect break after dinner before settling down for the evening (and watching The Office for the second time).
2. Do at least 1 guest blog post. I nailed this one within a week of setting my goal! My guest post at Embracing Simple went live today, so please go check it out and give Christina some love!
3. Cut out coffee. Um. Yeah. I just checked my bank account and apparently I bought coffee 17 times out of the 31 days in August. Better than buying it everyday, riiiiiight? My bad. I feel like it’s part of my morning routine to get to work and buy coffee before I can start being productive. I know it’s just a habit that I need to break, but man is it hard. Maybe my envelope goal for September will help me stop buying it…
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MY TOP THREE GOALS FOR SEPTEMBER
1. Use the envelope system. I always hear people recommending that you budget your money for the month and keep the cash in envelopes so you’re less inclined to overspend. Since I’m trying to be more frugal with my money (aka not spend it all on coffee), I want to see if this method actually works. Has anyone tried it? If you have no idea what I’m talking about, check out this explanation >> The Envelope System Explained
2. No heat styling my hair. Yes, for a whole month I am going to try not to blow dry or curl my hair. My hair is naturally curly, but I’ve basically killed the curls from styling it, and they just don’t look good when I let them do their thang. I was inspired to do this by Coco (although she has WAY curlier hair than me), and she suggested co-washing, not brushing it, and using sunflower seed oil. So I’m going to try it!
3. Update my capsule wardrobe. This is both a personal goal and a blog-related goal, as I want to share with you all what my Fall/Winter Capsule is going to look like! I know it’s going to be pretty similar to last year’s, but I’m definitely in need of some new sweaters and boots. I’ll no doubt be pinning for inspiration, so make sure you’re following me on Pinterest!
What are your goals for September?
30 Responses
My husband and I are going to try to use the envelope system too! I think it would be really helpful in encouraging use to save.
That’s awesome! I’m actually pretty excited to challenge myself with this one.
Walking after dinner is such a brilliant idea, great for digestion! I’ll definitely be looking into the envelope system, thanks for the link! Wishing you luck, I know you can achieve all of your goals. :D xxxxx
http://www.romantiquely.com
Thank you for always being so supportive! You’re the best :D
Walking after dinner is such a great idea! I had tried doing it immediately after work, but eventually gave up because I just never felt up to it after just getting home. I may have to try this one! And instead of cutting out coffee altogether maybe try making it at home? I always grab a cup of coffee and take it to work with me and it saves me from even thinking about that Starbucks trip!
http://www.lonestarlauren.com
Ooh yeah, after work I basically just want to eat dinner and do nothing else lol.
Funny story, I have a coffee maker at home but for some reason I wasn’t using it. Thanks for reminding me haha! I made myself a cup this morning :D
Maybe you could try getting your own coffee machine and making your own coffee! You might be less inclined to drink coffee if you have to make it yourself, or at the very least you’ll save money :) Making coffee seems like it would be a great addition to a morning routine! It’s structured, almost rhythmic, almost thoughtless, calming, and the aroma wafting through the house would be so cozy :D // Luckily for me, it hardly rained while I was in Seattle. It seems that I have left just in time! I’m burning up here on the east coast. Apparently there’s going to be a storm at the end of the week and temperatures will start going down, but until then, they’re steadily rising. I’m so ready for autumn! -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s
Oh yeah, and congrats on the guest post! That last tip is a big one for me. I’m a compulsive email checker. I also like making a “top 3” for my to-do list so that I don’t feel too overwhelmed. Another thing I do is keep my work space and living space separate, as best as possible. And something that I don’t do but should is to turn off my phone notifications.
Thank you, Audrey! And I think that’s such a good point about separate living spaces. While I was living at my parent’s, I had to work on my blog in my bed because I didn’t have a desk, and it definitely didn’t help with my productivity!
I actually do have my own coffee machine, but for some reason I wasn’t using it. I made myself a cup this morning though because of your suggestion!
Oh yeah, you got the best of the Seattle weather! I’ve just had to get my boots out of storage haha.
I’ve heard so much about the envelope system; I’ll be curious to see how it works for you. My goals for September are to continue to stay on top of school work, blogging, actual work, and activities. Basically to keep my head above water as things start to get crazy!
That’s basically one of my goals too, just to stay on top of everything! September is a crazy month! x
Awesome goals– all of them play into living simply, I love it! I’m also in the process of putting together my overdue fall capsule, and trying to figure out a good weekly rhythm for this year now that work is ramping up.
Haha I feel like everyone already has their fall capsules picked out, but I like to wait until the end of September since the weather is so unsure of itself in Washington
I’m so with the no heat styling! I’m actually on a 6 month challenge that ends on October 2, 2015! Best of luck!
Wow that’s awesome!! Are you still going to keep doing it after October 2nd?
I’m actually thinking of skipping the heat pass on October 2nd, 2015 and carry on until the new year. I’d really just like to get away from it altogether!
You go, girl! I’m loving how much quicker I’m able to get ready in the morning without worrying about my hair.
Hey Catherine,
a friend of mine uses the envelope system for years and it’s working great for her and her familie.
Coffee in the morning at home while writing my morning pages is my most loved time of the day which I won’t miss.
I’m looking forward how both goals are working for you!! Enjoy! :)
And congrats to your guest post!! <3 So great! :)
My "goals" for september are turning back to blogging after my summer time off (I finished my last test at university last wednesday and now I'll have more stressless time for being creative, yay!!! ) and enjoy my free time until I have to start with my master thesis at the end of the year. :)
Best wishes, Sunray :)
That’s awesome to hear about your friend! I’ve heard nothing but good stuff about it.
And I’m so glad you’ll be blogging again! Yay for more creative time ;)
Love all of these!! I get that queuing posts can be so so hard. I usually get up an extra 45 minutes early to write blog posts but if I know I really won’t be able to, I’ll schedule one or two (but never three for some reason haha).
The envelope technique sounds so so smart. I’ve heard a few people that keep different bank accounts for things as well…
I always love reading about your goals and accomplishments :)
xx, Pia
http://gymbagsandjetlags.com
Wow you’re so good! I should really schedule like 45 minutes before or after work to just work on a post without distractions.
I also love summer and felt like it went by super fast this year but I’m quite looking forward to fall! The weather here has been a bit weird too, so I guess it put me in the mood for the new season. I wish I had some advice for writing posts in advance but I usually write them the day before they go up haha.
I’m curious to see how the envelope system works for you, and good luck with your goals, Catherine! Mine are only have a limit of 5 tabs open on my laptop, start running (again) and figure out what I’m going to do with my post-uni life… :) x
I’m always in awe of people who have them scheduled ahead of time! Let me know if you need any advice with the whole post-uni life thing…not that I’m an expert, but I’m here if you need someone to talk to haha.
Thanks again for the awesome guest post Catherine, absolutely loved your post! :)
You killed two out of three and made progress on the last one, not shabby at all.
As for scheduling posts I would recommend batch writing – Maybe combine it with the reward of a coffee in a shop while you write, now that you won’t have them every day it will be special. I tend to outline a post in as much detail as possible when I get an idea, but leave the actual writing to a batch session, where I dedicate time to do it.
We do the envelope thing for our groceries and have been doing it since 2008. I don’t think we’ll ever go back.
I’m a little late to the game, okay 21 days late, but hey, my goals for September are 1) start getting ready for baby due late November 2) work on migrating the ‘worthy content from my old blog to my new one. 3) work on reformatting my knitwear patterns.
Can’t wait to see your October goals and update.
You’re a genius – combining those two things is such a good idea! I basically have my blogging topics lined up, so I think I’m going to outline the next 3-4 right now and then batch write them on Saturday or whenever I have a chunk of free time.
The envelope thing has been doing well, although I’ve had moments where I totally forgot about them and swiped my card instead! But I make sure to go back and reconcile that stuff at least.
Thank you for all of your lovely comments, Pia! And I hope getting ready for the baby is going well (although I’m sure that’s overwhelming and stressful haha)
I have my moments.. We are doing well on the baby prep, right now our biggest concern is that I’m experiencing some pelvic instability (no idea what it’s called in English) and that sucks.
It takes time to change old habits, next month you’ll probably use the card less.
I’m with you on the no heat styling thing, I have naturally curly hair too but I heat style it so much that my natural curls are way off their game!
http://www.thesundaymode.blogspot.com.au
Seriously haha! I feel like some strands are really curly and others have just straightened themselves >.<