Finally found the time to sit down and write my November Monthly Review.

Looking back at my November | Monthly Goals, I’d honestly give myself different scores depending on the period of the month. I started off strong, a solid 8/10, but somewhere after the 5th, I got sidetracked, which dips that part down to a 4/10.

Normally, when this happens, I tend to abandon all my goals and wait for the next ALIGNMENT (a.k.a. the first of the next month).

Not this time.
I pulled myself together and got back into the groove by the 9th. Only four days of “downtime”, which feels like growth.

November Review

Fitness & Strength

• Complete Daily Activity Rings ✅
• Weight training
• 10 reps of 90kg squat (Smith Machine) ✅
• 10 reps of 100kg squat to bench (Smith Machine) ✅
• 10 reps of 50kg Bulgarian split squat (Smith Machine) ✅
• 3 reps of 50kg bench chest press ✅
• Hip thrust: 5 reps of 140kg ✅
• 7 pull-ups ❌
• 4 tricep dips ✅
• 4 hanging raises ✅
• Jump rope trick: Step Through Release ❌

Health & Routine

• Complete Whole30 ✅
• Create and follow my “Magic Hour Morning Routine”. ✅

Academic & Research

• 60 hours of academic & research pomodoros ✅
• Draft the Ontology Evaluation section. ✅

Lifestyle & Personal

• 2 solo mini-dates
  • District Six Museum ❌
  • Baxter Theatre play ❌
  • Galileo Movie ❌
• Tick off 3 items from the 101 Challenge
  • Get a massage ✅
  • Start reading Sense and Sensibility ❌
  • Ziplining in Cape Town ❌
  • Spend a day at the beach ❌

All things considered, my overall score for November still lands at a strong 8/10.

For my monthly reviews I will continue to use the Passion Planners Monthly Reflection questions as I have used them from 2018-2022.

November Monthly Reflection

What was the most memorable part of this past month? Describe it.

Hands down, my favourite moment was realising how quiet and peaceful the room was during my weekend getaway. I heard the birds chirping in the trees, and it dawned on me how much noise I am surrounded by daily.

What were the three biggest lessons you’ve learned in this past month?

1. Consistency over perfection. Just because I fell off for a few days does not mean I have completely derailed all my goals.
2. Short breaks are necessary. I need to build them into my routine and allow myself to take them, then return back to work.
3. I need better stress management. Especially understanding how stress manifests physically in my body.

Review your planner for the past month and assess your priorities. Are you happy with how you spent your time? If not, what steps can you take next month to adjust them?

• The month felt really busy but in a good way; I made some progress with my research and have a clearer path on my next goals which is great.
• It seems my focus was mainly academic and getting back into a healthier routine. I did not do any of my lifestyle goals and that’s okay,
• I am proud of myself for starting the 75 Hard challenge and also powering through the Whole30 diet.

What did you accomplish this past month? What are you most proud of?

• Finalising the ontology evaluation for classical ontologies
• Drafting the evaluation method for defeasible ontologies
• Treating myself to a weekend trip with no obligations
• I started my Substack Becoming Victoria

How are you different between this past month and the month before it?

November felt like a fresh start. I finalised what I want to work on from 2026 onwards.
If I had to choose one word for this shift, it would be OPEN TO POSSIBILITIES.

What or who are you especially grateful for this past month?

• My long-term friend Patricia, whom I can call and catch up on life even if we haven’t spoken for months.
• My part-time job assisting Tharien with AIRU
• CEC Dividend
• Evaluation PhD thesis by Denny Vrandečić
• Myliek’s Podcast Episode 215
• Rupiwe and Thandeka for the girls’ swimming outing
• Daddy’s video note

Name three things you can improve on this upcoming month. What concrete actions can you take to work towards these improvements?

• Using Pomos or figuring out a method that allows me to execute my passion projects
• I will keep going for my walks in the morning and getting through my “Magic Hour Morning Routine”
• Take dedicated rest on weekends

That’s it for this monthly review.
November was beautiful — and full of moments I’ll carry with me.