13 Happy And Productive Things To Do In November

Looking for some good things to do in November? These 13 November activities are a perfect mix of cozy, healthy, and productive.

Read on to make the second-to-last month of the year really count.

I am all for hibernating when the weather’s icy, but the temperature in November isn’t low enough to claim our hibernation rights yet.

This is the month to get active, check off some fun activities from your bucket list, and make the most of the end of fall before the weather turns dark.

It is also the second-to-last month of the year, which makes it a good time to get your life together before the new year chimes in.

But where do you start? What fun activities do you pursue, and what do you leave off?

And how exactly can you prepare for the coming season and festivities without feeling overwhelmed?

Oh, and you can’t leave your health off the table either, right? Where does your body care fit into the changing season?

This 13-step November checklist will cover all of that (without burning you out, I promise).

We’re about to dive into a list of things to do in November that’ll make you feel inspired, calm, and more ready for what’s to come (winter, holiday season, and new year included).

If you’re ready to embrace November for all it has to offer, then read on.

You’ll love all the tips and ideas in here.

13 Things You Should Do In November

1. Create A Cozy Morning Routine

Okay, even though I am a winter child through and through, I am not fan of leaving bed during the cold.

The dropping temperature can make it hard to stick to a strict morning routine, so I suggest you create a routine that is less about productivity and more about coziness.

Once you get accustomed to leaving the bed and following your morning routine, you can add some ‘productive’ tasks to it.

These are the morning rituals I recommend for November:

Light a scented candle (sets the mood so well)
Do some stretching in bed
Journal your thoughts while sipping tea or coffee
Read a book in bed
Tune into a podcast that makes you happy (for me, it’s ‘Growing With The Flow’ by Nayna Florence)
Make a yummy breakfast while some soft music plays in the background
Create a to-do list at the end of the routine

2. Enjoy A Movie Marathon Night

I don’t know about you, but it’s been too long since I had a movie marathon.

I plan on having two movie nights in November, one with my cousins and one with myself (quality me-time!).

If this sounds fun, then have a movie marathon on a weekend in November.

Picking a theme would make it more fun. Classic holiday films, rom-coms, or movies set in autumn would fit right in.

Don’t forget to stock up on snacks like popcorn, hot chocolate, and cookies.

And yes, add twinkling fairy lights to the TV room or the bedroom if you’ll be watching on your laptop like me. It would make the experience cozier.

3. Host A Friendsgiving

Thanksgiving is one of the most beautiful holidays, and there’s no harm and doing a mini pre-ritual to enhance the sense of gratitude that this holiday is all about.

I’m talking about hosting. a Friendsgiving, where you gather your favorite people, cook a delicious meal (or order takeout, no judgments), and just enjoy each other’s company.

You don’t have to stress about making it all fancy.

Just focus on having fun, laughing over inside jokes, and starting some new traditions together.

4. Start Holiday Shopping Early

If you’re not a fan of shopping at all, then you probably don’t want to hear this, but it’s smart to start your holiday shopping in November.

Your future self will be so grateful for this.

Starting your holiday shopping early will help you beat the rush, avoid last-minute holiday stress, and actually enjoy picking out gifts for your loved ones.

It will also give you time to think about meaningful presents instead of grabbing whatever’s left on the shelves in December. Panic buy is never fun, right?

If you’re on the lookout for the Black Friday sales, then just add everything to your cart in advance so that you can snag everything right away.

Making gift and decor lists can really help, so get on top of that, please.

5. Declutter Your Space

I know decluttering isn’t exactly the most exciting thing to do.

But if you get it out of the way in November, you’ll have a clean and organized space just in time for all the holiday madness.

Pick one area at a time, like your closet, kitchen, or living room, and tackle it bit by bit.

Toss what you don’t need, donate what you don’t use, and make your space feel fresh and ready for the season.

You’ll be thankful you started early when you won’t have to scramble to clear out space for decorations or new gifts.

Don’t miss: How To Organize Your Life In One Month

6. Get Outdoors And Enjoy The Fall

With each passing day in November, the trees get closer to going bare.

So, while you still can, please make use of the lovely autumn weather and enjoy the fall colors.

Nature in November is breathtaking; you just have to slow down and take it all in.

Long walks and hikes are perfect ways to do this.

You can also stroll through your neighborhood and visit the local parks.

I love reading outdoors in this weather.

Give me my fav sweater and a coffee thermos, and I can make a whole day out of it.

Feel free to steal this idea for a fun day out in November.

7. Set Your Goals For the Last Two Months Of The Year

Remember all those things you said you’d do this year but didn’t? Yeah, me too.

But hey, we’ve still got two months left! November is the perfect time to revisit your goals and see what you can realistically achieve before the year ends.

I like to pick short and simple goals for this time of year so that I can set myself up for a better new year.

I’m talking about goals like reading a couple more books, finishing a project you’ve been putting off, or just taking better care of yourself.

Whatever it is, write your goals down, and start putting in your time and effort into it with dedication.

You’ll have a way better chance at acing your new year’s resolutions if you start in November, trust me.

Check out: 11 Simple Habits To Start Before New Year

8. Start A Gratitude Journal

Since November is the month of Thanksgiving, there’s seriously no better time to dive into gratitude than now.

When you pour into gratitude, your worries appear small, and joy intensifies.

Start a gratitude journal in which you can write down three things you’re thankful for each day.

Elaborate on each point with a sentence or two to really drive it home.

By the end of the month, you’ll have a collection of moments that made you smile, and this will shift your mindset toward positivity and appreciation.

It’ll also remind you to stay grounded before the holiday chaos hits.

9. Try New Recipes In The Kitchen

Cooking can feel like a chore during most of the year, but autumn cooking is like therapy for the soul.

It’s the best time to try new recipes and master some quick meals for the coming winter season.

You can try pumpkin loaf, vegetable soups, apple pie, quick salads, and different kinds of cookies to add to your comfort food collection.

You can flaunt your new recipes by inviting friends over for dinner.

And um, if it doesn’t turn out, well, you always have takeout, right?

10. Create A Self-Care Sunday Routine

November is the month when everything starts to slow down and that makes it a perfect time to lean into self-care.

I get that it might not be possible to make each November day about self-care (though if you can make that happen, good for you!).

But it’s very much possible to make the Sundays about you.

Create a self-care sunday routine and do it on Sundays for the entire month. It’ll help you relax and prep your mind and body for the coming week.

Some cozy rituals you can add to your Sunday routine:

Take a long and relaxing bath
Read a book from your favorite genre
Do a face mask
Binge-watch a cozy show in bed
Cook a hot and tasty meal for yourself
Do some decluttering (it’ll help your inner peace)

My self-care sunday routine for November: Take a warm shower, light a scented candle, do a face mask, and read in bed for hours while sipping tea and eating cookies.

11. Pick Up An Indoor Hobby

Do you have a knitting kit that you bought ages ago?

Or maybe you’ve always wanted to try painting or doing puzzles?

November is a good time to grow and nurture one of those indoor hobbies.

Whenever you have some spare time on your hands, find a cozy spot, grab your materials, and work on your hobby.

Even if it doesn’t turn out Pinterest-perfect, at least you’ll have fun trying, which is the whole point of having hobbies.

12. Visit A Cozy Spot

Double up the November cozy factor by visiting a sweet location that screams cozy.

This can be a small enchanting town nearby (if only Stars Hollow was real), or a comfy and aesthetic cafe.

An outdoor movie theatre with cushions and quilts would be a unique option (and something I really hope to try this month).

Even a picnic at a cute park would count.

If you’re up for a walk through a cozy and well-lit street while sipping coffee, then try that!

I personally love trying new restaurants during this time and try to pick the ones that have fairy lights (yep, I am a sucker for those).

You can bring a friend along, or go solo to spend quality time by yourself.

13. Do Something For Your Body Every Day

It can be very easy to slack off with your physical health during November.

Even the best fitness enthusiasts stumble a bit during this time, and you know what, that’s just fine.

It’s a time to rest and recharge, and there are many ways to look after your body without hitting the gym every day.

For every day of November, do something that makes your body genuinely happy.

This could be a proper hair care routine with a head massage, wash, and conditioning.

Or it could include dressing up nice and cozy, even if you’ll be staying home.

You could make yourself a healthy smoothie, have a protein-rich breakfast, or do a yoga session in your living room.

You could also go for a long walk (my favorite), do a quick morning workout at home, or give yourself a mani-pedi.

Just make your body feel loved each day with a tiny physical self-care ritual, and it’ll help you stay in a healthy zone throughout the month.

Give Yourself A Happy November

Starting new traditions, tackling small organization tasks, and soaking in the beauty of autumn — November has so much to offer!!

So go ahead, pick up whatever ideas intrigue you from this post, and make this month your own.

May you have the happiest November ever this year.

Enjoyed these November ideas? Share some of your own in the comment box, please. Thank you!