November is a Special Month
By Susan Hunt-Bradford
November is such an interesting month. It’s that time of year when the anticipation of the holidays begins to build. After Halloween, our thoughts shift to the upcoming celebrations, gatherings, and—yes—the stress that can come with them. The air turns cooler, leaves continue to fall, and we start to feel the rhythm of the season changing.
On November 3, we “fall back” as daylight saving time ends, and the earlier sunsets make it feel like the nights stretch on forever. Personally, I like that. When it’s dark outside, it feels as though I’ve been given a few extra hours in the evening. I’ll glance at the clock thinking it must be 10 p.m., only to find it’s just 5:30. Somehow, that illusion of extra time helps me feel more productive. It might sound a little strange, but it works for me.
November 15 is America Recycles Day, a great reminder of the importance of caring for our planet. Of course, recycling should be something we all do every day, but I appreciate having a day that draws extra attention to it. Even small actions—like using a reusable water bottle, sorting recyclables correctly, or choosing products with less packaging—make a difference. Hopefully, this day inspires more people to commit to everyday recycling habits. And then comes Thanksgiving, on November 27. My first thought about the holiday? A day off. My second thought? Another day off! I know that might sound funny, but I truly look forward to a quiet day of rest. I don’t usually spend Thanksgiving with family, turkeys, or football. Instead, I spend it doing whatever I want—usually relaxing and catching up on things I enjoy. It’s a small gift I give myself once a year.
Before we move into the full swing of the holidays, I want to take a moment to say thank you to everyone who attended The Healthy Planet Magazine’s 43rd Healthy Living Expo on October 19. To our vendors, attendees, and everyone who helped spread the word—your support means so much. A special thank you to Celia, Clint and John who helped make this event happen. I literally couldn’t have done this without them. The feedback from visitors was wonderful, and it’s always inspiring to see our community come together to share ideas for healthier, more sustainable living.
Wishing you all a peaceful, productive, and gratitude-filled November.