The leaves are down, the holidays haven't started, and I'm calling this in-between stretch stick season, borrowing the name (and a lot of feelings) from Noah Kahan. In this episode I walk through my November self-care capsule: three simple lists, practical, whimsical, and consumable, that keep me participating in my own life instead of watching it go by. This month also marks seven years since my first Medium Lady post, and I talk about why naming a season and making a loose plan for it is one of the most protective things I do against the disengagement side of burnout. Grab your notes app and make your own.

• Why MY November is stick season, and how to name the season you're in
• The three-list capsule: practical, whimsical, consumable
• Why the plan still works even if you don't finish the list
• Seven years of monthly capsules, and how they became a way of knowing who I am

• Name your season. Don’t just call it “November”; give it a theme or a vibe.
• Build three lists. Practical (what needs doing), whimsical (what brings light), consumable (what to eat, watch, read, and listen to).
• Start with the easiest list. If whimsical feels hard, begin with consumable. Don't overthink it, and don't over-commit.

• Noah Kahan: Stick Season (album), including the song Growing Sideways
• FOLD (Festival of Literary Diversity) Reading Challenge, November prompt: a book that celebrates fat bodies and fat joy. thefoldcanada.org
• Body Talk by Katie Sturino
• Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell
• When Harry Met Sally

• Episode 185: burnout and disengagement [link]
• Episode 187: I Finished a Book, Chapter three [link] where I discuss Cherry Baby a book about size inclusivity and fat joy
• Episode 181: the August Monthly Capsule [link]

Instagram: @medium.lady Tell me what's on your capsule, or DM me if you don't know where to start.