I really didn’t have any specific topic in mind to write about until I recalled that October 19th is Evaluate Your Life Day. Of course, it is one of those random “days,” but on the other hand, when we think about it, it’s kind of like making those resolutions for the new year.

Why October 19th? I have no idea why this date is designated for this holiday, but it is here, so why not “evaluate your life,” right? Given that I have become an expert in setting goals and creating resolutions and then muddling through that list neither efficiently nor effectively (two words I tend to overuse), I know I can benefit from evaluating my life.

In addition, given where I am now, empty-nesting and all that, I find I (am supposed to) have the time and space to contemplate, reflect, and all the rest that comes with it, including, well, evaluating my life. And as I do so, with the help of self-help books, advice from those who have done it well, and from other sources all over, I want to invite you to join in as well.

So, here are some ways we can evaluate our lives 🙂

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5 Ways to Evaluate Our Lives

So right on the cusp of Evaluate Your Life Day seems to be the perfect time for us to take a moment and reflect. Instead of worrying about where we stand or what we might have missed, let’s embrace a sense of wonder about our journeys. Here are five fun ways for us to evaluate our lives together:

1. Check Our Core Values Vibe

First up, let’s talk about what makes us tick—our core values! Are we standing up for kindness, creativity, or maybe a touch of mischief? I love using the word ‘vibe’ now, given it reminds me of my daughter away in college. It was only four weeks ago that we were loading up our van for the drive down south to drop her off, but seems like a lifetime ago!

Anyways, back to core values and such.

Let’s grab a pen and jot down our top 5 values. Then we can take a moment to assess: Are we living in alignment with these values, or are they sitting on a shelf collecting dust? If the vibe feels off, it might be time to do a little reshuffling of those values.

2. Spotlight Our Goals (Are They Still Cool?)

Next up is goals. Let’s shine a light on our goals. If you wrote down goals for yourself earlier this year, or maybe some life-goals, or longterm ones a while ago, time to check those.

Are they still as fabulous as they once were, or are they gathering cobwebs in the corner? I know some of mine are. We need to give them a good look and ask ourselves, “Do we still care about this?” If the answer is a resounding “meh,” let’s not hesitate to update or toss them out like last year’s leftovers!

3. Balance Our Life

Next up, let’s think about how we’re spending our time! Are we investing enough hours into things that uplift us? Instead of worrying about being too busy or overwhelmed, let’s wonder how we can prioritize our time for the things that truly matter.

We can plan how to sprinkle more joy into our routines. For me, it is often a simple phone call – with my kids always, and then there are other close family members and friends whose voice on the other end of the phone warms my heart and brings that smile on my face.

Maybe we can look at our schedules and ask ourselves, “Am I dedicating enough time to family, hobbies, or just having fun?” Let’s carve out a little time for that favorite book we’ve been meaning to read or that new hobby we’ve been curious about!

4. Learn from Our Past Like Bosses

Life has taught us a lot, even the everyday mundane aspects as well as the big moments and trials and tribulations. So let’s dig into that treasure trove of our past!

Let us take a moment to jot down our top 3 life lessons—those golden nuggets of wisdom that have guided us along the way. We should celebrate our growth and keep those lessons close, because they’re the secret sauce for moving forward! Likewise, we should make a note of the mistakes we made and ensure we do not repeat them.

Someone once told me, “if you are not getting the results you need, then maybe you need to change the way you are doing things.”

5. Cultivate Our Connections

Finally, let’s take a moment to cultivate our connections! Are we nurturing the relationships that truly bring us joy? Instead of worrying about whether we’re spending enough time with loved ones, let’s ensure we spend quality time with them when we are together.

Maybe we can think of a fun way to reconnect with an old friend or plan a special outing with family. Let’s make an effort to reach out, share a laugh, or create new memories together. After all, the best relationships are the ones we actively tend to!

Like earlier this year, my girl friends and I spent just a couple of days with one overnight stay at a charming hotel in Monterey. And it was so worth it – making up for years of not having been in the same place together and helping us in so many ways.

The Bookish Memes Five: Aru Shah and the End of Time

(1 & 2) Book Beginnings and First Line Friday

BOOK BEGINNINGS ON FRIDAY is hosted by Rose City Reader. What book are you happy about reading this week? Please share the opening sentence (or so) on BOOK BEGINNINGS ON FRIDAY! Add the link to your blog or social media post and visit other blogs to see what others are reading.

Happy Friday and welcome to the FIRST LINE FRIDAY, hosted by Reading is My Superpower! It’s time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line.

3 Friday 56

THE FRIDAY 56 is hosted by Freda’s Voice (currently by Anne at HeadFullofBooks) To play, open a book and turn to page 56 (or 56% on your e-reader). Find a sentence or two and post them, along with the book title and author. Then link up and visit others in the linky. 

4 Book Blogger Hop

The purpose of THE BOOK BLOGGER HOP is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, and befriend other bloggers. THE BOOK BLOGGER HOP is hosted by Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer.  

What novel would you recommend that blends characteristics of your favorite genre with horror concepts, and why?

Coraline by Neil Gaiman and The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste

5 More Such Retellings

• Rules for Stealing Stars By Corey Ann Haydu (Children’s Fantasy | 8 – 12 years, and up). A retelling of one of my favorite fairytales – Twelve Dancing Princesses
• The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddell (13 – 17 years, and up). I loved this retelling of Sleeping Beauty – both for Gaiman’s dark and unique reimagining and Riddell’s stunning artwork
• Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to Being Good by Louie Stowell (Children’s Fantasy | 8 – 12 years, and up). I am yet to read this one but given I am an MCU fan and also a fan of retellings and of Loki and Thor too, I know I am in for a treat.
• The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste (Children’s Fantasy | 8 – 12 years, and up). With roots in Carribean folklore, this book is perfect for the spooky season. While I never reviewed this read, I loved it.
• Paola Santiago and the River of Tears by Tehlor Kay Mejia (Children’s Fantasy | 8 – 12 years, and up). I loved both books in this series that meld myths, folklore, magic, and modern life.

Related Reads and More to Evaluate Your Life

• Goals For The Year
• How to Worry Less and Wonder More
• How a Person Can Be: Wonderful Life Lessons from Books and Cartoons
• 13 Tiny Habits I Want to Work On
• 7 Unique Stress Busters For All and Books Too
• Wonderful Ways to Warm Our Souls

And Now, the End of this Post

Dear reader, have you read any similar books? Which books would you pick to read among the ones listed/featured today? Do let me know if you pick one of them for yourself or a loved one.