31 Ways to Transform Your Life This October

October is one of my favorite months of the year!  Take some time for yourself and steal our strategies for self-care to have your best October ever.

Join us for 31 days of healthy habits to transform your life through small steps. You can follow the calendar we've created for you or mix and match as you choose. 

Week 1: October 1-5

This week we focus on setting the tone for the rest of the month, with an intention and new goals.

Theme: Let Go

Affirmation: I radiate the truth of who I am. I let go of perfectionism.

"Breathe in deeply to bring your mind home to your body."

~Thích Nhất Hạnh

1. Tuesday: Set an intention for the month. Take a step back today and assess how the past month went for you. Ask yourself: How do I want this fall to go? How do I want to feel? What do I want to accomplish? 
2. Wednesday: Do Something Different. Did you know that the first days of the week are when our motivation is highest? Take advantage of this fact and start your month off with a win! Looking to change your drinking during Sober (or Sober-ish around here) October? Join our free 28-day Change Your Drinking Challenge!
3. Thursday: Look Ahead at Your Calendar. Block out some hours or days for a little downtime or to allow for spontaneity. 
4. Friday: Read a Book (bonus points for a physical one). I’m diving into Ina Garten’s Be Ready When the Luck Happens.
5. Saturday: Head to the Pumpkin Patch! October is the month for pumpkins - so make a date with friends and bring a picnic.  

Week 2: October 6-12

This week, we transform how we show up for ourselves.

Mood: Tell Yourself a New Story

Affirmation: I free myself from old stories that hold me back and embrace my true identity.

"I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become." 

~Carl Jung

1. Sunday: Go for a Grounding Nature Walk. Spend time outdoors and soak in the fall season. Use all 5 senses to notice how the environment is changing.
2. Monday: Swap in a Healthier Beverage. Grab some healthy beverage swaps at the grocery store or order some online to have on hand when you are feeling like a refreshment. Write a reminder on your fridge or bar to remember to grab the healthier option first this week. You could try sparkling water, kombucha, fruit juices, or a canned alcohol-free option. There are so many choices these days! I’ve been making a sleepy girl mocktail with tart cherry juice and magnesium. 
3. Tuesday: Write Yourself a Love Letter. Take some time with your journal today to write out some words of affirmation for yourself. Tell yourself exactly what you need to hear.
4. Wednesday: Honor Indigenous People’s Day. Use this interactive map to learn what Native people lived on the land you now live on and then do a deep dive to respectfully learn more about their culture. 
5. Thursday: Check-in on World Mental Health Day. Journal about how you’ve been feeling and set intentions to support your mental health. Reach out to a friend or therapist if needed.
6. Friday: Put Out a Bird Feeder. Support your local wildlife as their food supply dwindles. Then sit back and enjoy all the activity happening right outside your window. 
7. Saturday: Find a Local Fall/Harvest Festival. When I lived in Pennsylvania, my town had an annual Woolly Worm Festival - did you know the coloring of the worm is often seen as a predictor of how harsh the winter will be?!?

    

   Week 3:  October 13 - 19

   At the mid-way point of the month, we embrace growth and change.

   Theme: Reset Your Mindset

   Affirmation: I consciously cultivate a mindset that embraces growth and change.

   "One day you will tell your story of how you've overcome what you're going through now, and it will become part of someone else's survival guide." 

   ~Brene Brown

8. Sunday: Pick an affirmation for the week. Say something to yourself that reminds of what truly matters. Check out our Affirmation Journal for our favorite affirmations!
9. Monday: Do a Digital Detox. Unplug from social media for a few hours, the entire evening, or even a few days this week to free yourself from cultural messages and focus on living your own authentic life.
10. Tuesday: Make a List of Lessons From the Past. Pull out your journal and jot down a few challenges from the past, noting what you’ve learned from them. 
11. Wednesday: Make a Nourishing Fall Soup. Use your favorite flavors to make a healthy and hearty fall soup.
12. Thursday: Watch the Moonrise. Pause this evening to watch the sun set and the full moon rise. This Hunter’s Moon is also a supermoon and will appear the biggest of any moons this year!
13. Friday: Go To a Local Football Game. Gather some friends to participate in your community and cheer on the home team!
14. Saturday: Head to the Farmer’s Market. Celebrate the harvest with end of season produce - try something new if you can!

     

    Week 4: October 20 - 26

    There are 10 weeks left in the year. Check in with yourself and think about how you want to end this year on a high note. 

     Theme: Revise Your Goals

    Affirmation: I create a life that sustains me with routines that give me joy.

    “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”

    ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

15. Sunday: Jump in a Pile of Leaves. Did you know that it’s actually better for the local insects and the ground to “leave the leaves”? Make a pile to jump in and then let it blanket the ground, move it to a garden as mulch, wet down the pile to create leaf mulch, or add it to your compost bin. 
16. Monday: Try a New Workout. The first day of the week is the perfect time to implement new habits. Is there a workout you’ve been wanting to try? Or any other new habits you could start?
17. Tuesday: Journal About Your Ideal Daily Routine. How can you design your mornings, afternoons, and evenings to support your well-being and long-term goals?
18. Wednesday: Declutter Your Space. Set yourself up to feel calm and organized before the busyness of the holidays.
19. Thursday: Go for a walk after dinner. Leave your phone and that second cocktail at home. Walking after dinner is good for more than just your digestion!
20. Friday: Have a Pumpkin Carving Party. Gather some friends, put together a cheese board, and carve your Halloween Pumpkins so they’re nice and fresh next week. 
21. Saturday: Find (or Make) Your Halloween Costume. Celebrate a theme or character that is meaningful to you!

     

    Week 5: October 27 - 31

    Focus on what goals you want to set for fall / the final quarter of the year. 

    Theme: Forgive Yourself or Let Go of the Past

    Affirmation: I am patient with myself, redefining my mistakes as lessons.

    "The truth is, unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself, unless you forgive the situation, unless you realize that the situation is over, you cannot move forward." 

    ~Steve Maraboli

22. Sunday: Practice a Mindful Morning. Start your day with a quiet cup of tea/coffee and avoid checking your phone for the first hour.
23. Monday: Start the Week with a Festive Beverage. Get creative and make your own pumpkin spice latte using canned pumpkin and your favorite spices. Or skip drinking tonight and make a Halloween themed mocktail!
24. Tuesday: Journal About Letting Go. What mistakes or setbacks from the past have you been holding onto? How can you reframe these experiences as opportunities for growth and learning?
25. Wednesday: Watch a Festive Halloween Movie. Revisit old friends like Coraline or It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (I’ll be watching Practical Magic) or find something new to stream. 
26. Thursday: Have Some Halloween Fun. Enjoy the day with costumes, movies, or a cozy night in. Light some candles, and reflect on letting go of fears and embracing joy as the month ends.

    I hope you have the best month ever!

    ---

    WHENEVER YOU FEEL UP FOR IT,

    HERE ARE 3 WAYS I CAN HELP YOU:

    Join the Mindful Moderation Course to forever change your mindset about drinking and more. 

    Work with a therapist or coach on my team to create a personalized plan to end the year strong.

    Get personalized coaching from me if you're a therapist or other health professional that needs a boost.

    Sending good vibes your way,

    Dr. Hannah