There’s something about November that always feels a little in–between — a gentle pause before the rush of December and the hope of a new year. But this November arrived differently. On the 9th, snow drifted in quietly throughout the day, settling just long enough to make everything feel colder and more still… and then, just as quickly, it melted as the temperature climbed back to five degrees.

Even though it didn’t stay, the snow carried the emotional weight of winter with it. One moment I was looking back at photos of my daughter and me playing in the sand — sun, water, warm days — and the next I was watching flakes fall outside my window. It made the month feel like it arrived far too quickly, and with it came that soft mix of nostalgia, comfort, and the tiniest bit of sadness that the year will be ending soon.

Reflecting on Growth — Hers and Mine

One thing I’ve learned this year is patience — real patience — the kind that grows slowly and teaches you that things truly happen in their own time. I’ve seen that especially with my daughter. This month, she has come so far with potty training. She hasn’t mastered it completely — there are still a few hiccups here and there — but the progress she’s made makes me incredibly proud. Every step forward feels like a little celebration.

Her vocabulary has exploded too — she’s piecing together sentences and learning new words every day, surprising me with how much she absorbs and understands.

She’s becoming more independent in ways that feel big and small, and it’s pushed me to grow too. Routines have helped both of us, and I feel myself learning patience right alongside her — the good kind, the kind that softens your days instead of stretching them thin.

Taking Care of Myself, Too

Like many mums, I spent so long prioritizing my little one that I forgot how important my own wellbeing is. This year, I finally took control of my health in ways I had been putting off — checking in with my doctors and starting yoga and pilates through the Harna app (Asian Pilates). I didn’t realise how much my body needed it until I started. The difference has been almost immediate: more energy, more strength, more calm.

It wasn’t one big moment that pushed me into it — it was the slow build of the year, a feeling that it was time to care for myself the way I care for my daughter.

Slowing Down With the Season

As the days get darker earlier and the world feels quieter, I’ve found myself slowing down too. I scroll through Instagram and see the early Christmas decorations appearing in people’s feeds — twinkling lights, garlands, cosy spaces — and surprisingly, it fills me with hope more than anything else. A soft kind of nostalgia, the comforting kind.

I feel ready for the season, even if the year has passed quickly.

My Goals for November

This month, I’m keeping my goals simple, meaningful, and aligned with the slower pace November brings:

✅ 1. Plan & Budget for the Holidays

The season comes fast, and being prepared means more joy and less stress.

✅ 2. Guide My Daughter Through Her New Independence

Supporting her growth, building routines, creating gentle structure.

✅ 3. Create Engaging Topics for the Blog

I want to keep writing helpful, heartfelt posts — and I’m planning another Single Mum Checklist, this time winter-themed.

✅ Small Habits I’m Focusing On

  • Walking more

  • Planning meals

  • Cutting out sugar (or at least cutting down!)

Seasonal Moments I Want to Create

If the weather allows, I’d love to introduce my daughter to a few winter activities — even just small ones:

  • Baking cookies together

  • Decorating our Christmas tree

  • Enjoying cosy days indoors

  • Starting tiny winter traditions of our own

These feel like the moments she’ll remember one day.

Looking Toward the New Year

When I think of 2026 approaching, my first feeling is uncertainty — not in a bad way, but in that open, anything-could-happen kind of way. I’m hopeful, optimistic, and ready for new experiences.

What I want most in the new year is simple:
Stability. Growth. Joy.
For both my daughter and me.
More laughter. More little adventures. More memories we’ll look back on with the same warmth I feel now when I look at our summer photos.

If you liked reading this blog post as much as I liked writing it, you may like these other posts:

If My Daughter Wrote This Blog Post

The One and Only: Raising an Only Child with Intention and Heart

How to Layer Stylishly Through Fall to Winter