Welcome to October, my favourite month of the year! Before I get too excited, though, it’s time for my September 2024 roundup.

In addition to my goals update, my September 2024 roundup has insightful posts on fast fashion, the value of work, decisions and values that shape our lives, and inspiring sustainable behaviour in our kids.

Happy reading!

Cool things I read in September

Since publishing my first monthly roundup at the end of 2020, it has been an honour to introduce you to some of my favourite bloggers. I started the roundup to say thank you to the blogging community and bring attention to talented writers who create inspiring and informative content.

After a slow month for blog reading in August, I got back on track in September. Here are four posts that inspired me last month. I hope they do the same for you!

In the Land of Clothes Not Worn – Tara Hall via No Sidebar

The fashion industry has a lot to answer for when it comes to climate change. This poem from Tara Hall is a lament to the excess of fast fashion. Well worth taking the time to read and reflect:

In the Land of Clothes Not Worn, Tara Hall

An Ode to Work – Maximum Gratitude, Minimal Stuff

Although I retired from my full-time job at the end of June, I still plan to continue working on retirement coaching and other projects. In this excellent post, Karen discusses why work is important and ways to be happier at work.

This holds true whether you perform surgery or help someone find the right part to fix their car. Yes, some types of work are more respected than others. That probably says more about our society’s worship of fame, wealth, and luxury than it does about the actual value of different kinds of work.

Maximum Gratitude, Minimal Stuff – An Ode to Work

5 Things That Have Greatly Shaped My Life – Existential Ergonomics

In this inspiring post, Erin explores how our decisions and values shape our lives, and our world.

Switching your status signalling from beauty, power, and material achievements, to integrity, competence, and kindness not only saves money and reduces stress, but also makes you a more likable person and make it much easier to find other people likable and their minor transgressions forgivable.

Existential Ergonomics – 5 Things That Have Greatly Shaped My Life

Inculcating Sustainability – Surprised by Joy

I admire Wynne’s style of parenting and the gentle way in which she imparts her wisdom to her children. This post resonated with me because it aligns with my own approach to sustainability. If everyone started with a few simple changes, it would add up to a big difference.

They are small efforts and I’m far from consistent and perfect on these things. But these things are doable and sustainable for us. They counterbalance the messages of judgment and fear that leave us feeling helpless.

Surprised by Joy – Inculcating Sustainability

What I wrote in September

In case you missed any of them, here are the new posts I published in September here on Boomer Eco Crusader.

• The Sunday Spark – Driving outside my comfort zone
• The Sunday Spark – Changing seasons – It’s not fall yet!
• Clutter Tales – Home office treasures bring back fond memories
• The Sunday Spark – Why you need a to do list
• Disposable underwear? Taking laziness to new heights!
• The Sunday Spark – The power of professional networking
• International Age Diversity Day – Is your workplace age friendly?
• The Sunday Spark – We all need a little nudge sometimes

And here are the posts I wrote in September for Wise & Shine.

• Back to School … Not Just for Kids
• Tips for Productive Conversations
• What’s on Your Curious List?
• Can the Power of 3 Improve Your Life?

Plus, as I revisit my 52-Weeks of Decluttering Challenge, I refreshed and republished these posts.

• Week 32 – Paper files and filing cabinet
• Week 33 – Important documents and emergency binder
• Week 34 – Outdoor toys and kids’ playhouse

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Let’s keep in touch! Join my mailing list and I’ll email you when I add a new post.

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September goals update

After slacking off a bit over the summer, it was time to get back on track in September. Let’s look at how things went.

Fitness

My goal was to get back to 150 minutes of exercise each week (in addition to daily walks), including 3 balance and flexibility sessions and 2 strength training sessions each week. Here’s how I did.

• I averaged 163 minutes of exercise each week and met the 150-minute goal 3 out of 4 weeks.
• I met my goal of 3 balance and flexibility sessions every week, and I averaged 1.75 strength and flexibility sessions a week over the months.

Overall, September was a good month on the fitness front.

Reading

I fell short of my goal of reading 4 books. Here’s what I read this month:

• Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult
• Thanks for the Memories by Cecelia Ahern
• Generations by Jean Twenge

Decluttering

I exceeded my goal of decluttering 50 items. In total, I got rid of 1 physical item, and 656 digital items.

Second Life

I finished planning out the site layout and content for my retirement coaching website.

My October goals

September was a great month, so I’m hoping to keep the momentum going in October. Here are my goals for the month:

• Fitness goals: I’ve increased my goal to 200 minutes of exercise each week (not including daily walks), including 3 balance and flexibility sessions and 2 strength training sessions each week.
• Reading: I’m taking a course this month, so I’ve reduced my goal to 3 books.
• Decluttering: Digital decluttering continues in October, so my goal is to declutter 500 digital items.
• Lifelong learning: Complete the final course in the Plain Language certificate program.
• Second life: It might be overly ambitious, but my goal is to launch my retirement coaching website.

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Thanks for dropping by to check out my September 2024 roundup. How was your summer? Drop me a comment below to let me know.