November has always been the month in which the past summer feels like an illusion and the next summer is still unthinkable.  It’s been the month to just “get through” before enjoying some respite in December.  Not this year.  This year, November is NaNoWriMo , NaBloPoMo and the 30 Day Yoga Challenge at Vayusha Yoga Studio.

NaNoWriMo is short for National Novel Writing Month and is observed internationally; write a novel in 30 days with the support of an online community!  When you register online, you will be able to track your progress, meet other writers and be cheered on by people you have never met – but who share your passion for writing!

NaBloPoMo is National Blog Posting Month and this is something that really intrigues me.  You add your blog to the blogroll (which makes you eligible for daily prizes) and then write to the daily prompts provided.  I just missed the deadline to officially sign up; regardless I will be picking up from today, blogging on The Artist’s Loft, from Monday to Friday, for the entire month.  I invite you to check it out – this is the blog through which I started exploring my voice.  It means a lot to me and I’ve been missing it.  When I read about this blogging challenge I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to connect with that part of me again.

I was a little slow on the uptake for both of these events – I kept seeing them splattered all over Twitter and Facebook last month but didn’t look into them until last week.  NaNoWriMo may be a goal for next year – this year I have other things on my plate that I am enjoying.  I don’t want to add too many different flavours and not be able to taste a thing!

Switching gears to the 30 Day Yoga Challenge now.  This is a challenge presented by many yoga studios during this month.  It’s a commitment to transforming your life through the physical practice of yoga as well as meditation, journalling, proper nutrition and general wellness.  Again, not wanting to take on too much at this time because I am already riding a transition wave right now, I have decided to make small commitments in my yogic journey.  I go to the studio twice a week which is a comfortable number of times for my family schedule, but I would like to have the confidence to roll out my mat at home for 10 minutes at a time on a more regular basis.  I am already doing things like practicing toe squats while folding laundry on the floor and being conscious of slouchy shoulders – as my instructor reminds us, “Reach with your heart.”

This is what pursuing my interests has added to my life.  I have found an enormous amount of fun and adventure in connecting with writers on Twitter, Facebook and blogs.  I have found a deep sense of satisfaction on my purple mat surrounded by beautiful energy in an amazing yoga studio.  I can’t imagine November being a “blah” month any longer!

What can pursuing your interests do for YOU?  This is as good a month as any to find out!