November
November 1st, 2009
I thought about doing NaBloPoMo this month, believe it or not, but I later realized that while I liked the idea of posting every day, it would probably be boring as hell, because some days, to be honest, nothing happens. Some days, the biggest thrill of my day is that my kid had a double blowout and the washing machine hummed its hot-water wash all. day. long. (Hello, that would be TODAY.)
NaNoWriMo doesn’t appeal to me, either, because while I DO want to write a novel some day, it seems a bit silly for me to condense it all in one month. (Incidentally, the only goal I have for said novel is to finish it, simply as a personal accomplishment. If no one reads it, I’m not sure I’ll even care. But oh, to FINISH AN ENTIRE BOOK! That would be huge. A marathon for writers, if you will.)
Anyway! So. November being what it is, the month of Na-something, and also a generally sucky month, weather-wise and psyche-wise, as winter just LOOMS like some kind of GIANT RAINCLOUD OF MISERY, I was wondering if there was something I could do this month. A mini-goal, of sorts.
And folks, I have decided that November is NaNiceMo! I don’t mind admitting that I’m a generally a pretty nice person with some pretty serious flaws, but this November, I am going to try to be the nicest version of myself I can be — oh, I don’t mean I’m going to give up being snarky or that I’m going to turn it into NaPushOverMo or anything (I’m looking at you, pediatrician’s office, Keeper of the Swine Flu Vax), but I DO think that I could stand to make more of an effort in general, and I mean beyond my extended family. The honest truth is that I benefit from being nice to my family — Adam and Sam are more pleasant when I’m nicer, and things are generally more harmonious for me. Ergo, being nice in that capacity is a LEEETLE bit selfish, you know?
So what I am ALSO going to try to do is do one extra-nice thing every day for someone or something that doesn’t directly benefit me. It doesn’t have to be anything big – in fact, it can be quite small. Today, for example, I called the manager at my local grocery store to tell him about exceptional service I got from a young man in the checkout line today (seriously, he helped me so much, you have no idea). Is that something I should do whenever that happens? Yes. Do I do it every time, or even MOST times? No. I get too busy.
This month, I am not going to be too busy! I am going out of my way every time and THEN SOME! NANICEMO IN THE MOTHERFUCKING HOUSE.
Are you in? You don’t have to tell me if you are. But it would be, uh, nice (hello, I AM REDUNDANT) to hear that there are a bunch of extra-nice people out there this month. November sure could use it.
Happy Monday to you!
*Tom Waits. Echo & the Bunnymen. So many! So many November songwriters!
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28 Comments Add your own
1. H | November 1st, 2009 at 9:49 pm
About a year ago, I read the book The Power of Acknowledgment by Judith Umlas. While the point of the book wasn’t earth shattering, it reminded me of the importance of saying thank you, so in January, I started to say thank you (in a variety of ways – small gifts, notes, etc.) or acknowledge great service, a great friend or coworker at least once a month. I put a note on my calendar for the 15th of every month and it reminds me to think back over the past month and do it! It has been a great experience. Good luck and enjoy NANICEMO!
2. She Likes Purple | November 1st, 2009 at 10:24 pm
You know, this couldn’t hurt. I think I need to step up my niceness, all across the board.
Thanks for the motivation.
3. Katie | November 1st, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Im on board, I need to be nicer to my family…expecially with prego hormones and a toddler who stopped sleeping through the night!
4. foradifferentkindofgirl (fadkog) | November 1st, 2009 at 11:07 pm
I am going to bring the nice this November like a thunder rolling over the plains. Or at least until the 15th, and my birthday hits and my husband, once again, forgets. Then all bets might be off.
Anyway, for now – and hopefully the entire month – I’m NONICEMOing the hell out of life!
5. Sarah | November 1st, 2009 at 11:24 pm
I am *totally* in! This is a fabulous idea, Jonna! Thank you!
6. Elizabeth | November 1st, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Oh I am so in… I love it!
7. Carla Hinkle | November 2nd, 2009 at 2:33 am
I’m not sure, in my super-large pregnant state, that I can be nicer. I find myself grumpier by the day. But I applaud you being nicer! I will give you loads of nice, nice feedback!
PS Don’t forget Guns N Roses, November Rain
8. Deckside Thoughts | November 2nd, 2009 at 6:38 am
You go girl! You’re right ~ November sucks. I’m in because there’s no good reason to be out! I’m already blogging about the inevitability of the pain of winter in NH. Blue before it even arrives. Wasted time. On to more pleasant pursuits. Niceness will abound in Portsmouth!
9. Chris | November 2nd, 2009 at 8:07 am
I am in! It is mostly selfish though as my daughter has 3 days home from school this week and 3 more days for Thanksgiving, If I am nicer to the kids, will they be nicer to each other? Please?
10. jive turkey | November 2nd, 2009 at 10:21 am
I’m in. And it’s a great idea, calling store managers to compliment their employees. It’s quick, it’s easy, and lots of times it will result in some small bonus or perk for the employee. Good times.
11. Jess | November 2nd, 2009 at 11:06 am
This is a great idea. I’m going to try it!
12. Em | November 2nd, 2009 at 11:54 am
I like your idea … I don’t know why it’s so difficult sometimes to make the effort, but we all should. Thanks for the reminder during this depressing month.
13. Jen | November 2nd, 2009 at 11:57 am
Love this idea – I’m definitely in. I’m sure my husband could use a big fat dose of a nicer me.
14. Steph the WonderWorrier | November 2nd, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Yay! I love being nice, that’s a great idea!
I’m considering doing NaBloPoMo, but we’ll see if I run out of ideas for posts, LOL.
I have one big, nice thing that I’m working on for the next just-less-than-a-year, I’m registered and I’ve just begun my funraising for this: http://www.endcancer.ca . I’m going to walk 30 km next September for The Weekend To End Women’s Cancers, and I’m going to try to raise $2000 to support gynecological cancer research. It’s my first time participating in something this huge, and I’m really excited for it! I wrote a blog post about my goals here: http://thewonderworrier.blogspot.com/2009/10/goals-for-cure.html . (Oh em gee, this is looking like a shameless plug, I’m sorry! I’m mostly just so excited to share this big event that I’m participating in!!!).
I try to be nice as much as I can, especially random acts of kindness to strangers. It is selfish, because it makes you feel so good when you do it! BUT, it benefits other people greatly, so it’s a good kind of selfish!
Good November goal!
15. Metalia | November 3rd, 2009 at 6:27 am
Ooh, I am IN for NaNiceMo. Most days, I’m so hyperfocused on getting to work, doing my work, and going home. Whenever I do actually take a minute and acknowledging someone’s good customer service, or stop my crazypants-city-walker-speed-of-light gait to help some (obviously lost) tourists, it reminds me focus OUTWARDLY for a bit, and (I hope) makes their day a little better, too. I’m going to try to do a little more of that this month, and a little less of my vampire-esque speed walking. Love your idea.
16. Christine | November 3rd, 2009 at 9:08 am
Shoot, I totally already blew NaNiceMo, when Tony was snoring last night and after gently trying to shove him into a more sleep conducive (for me) position, I yanked the pillow out from under him.
I’ll start today! New day and all that.
17. Annie | November 3rd, 2009 at 12:19 pm
NaNiceMo is brilliant. And people really respond well to thank yous. Especially people who are not used to getting them. When I was 19 my car exploded while I was driving it on the highway (I’m serious, it was an explosion that shook my car across multiple lanes of the highway) and I finally came to a stop on the side of the highway. My Dad, the overprotective father (who I wouldn’t trade for anything), called the police and asked if the person on that beat would check on me every once in a while while I waited for AAA to come. After the car was towed and I was home, my Dad called and thanked the police station and they were shocked. I believe their response was, “We never get thank you phone calls. Thank you!”
18. Kristin H | November 3rd, 2009 at 1:45 pm
This is going to require more coffee, isn’t it?
19. kris | November 3rd, 2009 at 3:11 pm
J — I thought about doing this exact thing for November and then called it off when I didn’t do anything the first two days. COMMITMENT IS MY MIDDLE NAME. I’m back on — thanks for the inspiration.
20. twojams | November 3rd, 2009 at 6:46 pm
I’m in, but I’m a couple days late getting started. I can probably think of SOMETHING nice I’ve done the last 3 days, though. Might be a tiny bit of a stretch…
Great idea!
21. Leah | November 3rd, 2009 at 7:54 pm
For the record, you sent me one of the nicest emails I’ve ever received, and that was LAST MONTH, before you were even trying!
22. Danell | November 3rd, 2009 at 8:06 pm
I’m in-although I suspect I will blow it tomorrow at work. I may have to wait until I find a new job that doesn’t make me homicidal on a daily basis…because that makes it a little hard to be nice. BUT! For now! I’m in!
23. Shelly | November 4th, 2009 at 10:22 am
I love this idea. Just had some co-workers help me out big time, so I could do something to say thanks. Count me in.
24. Kristabella | November 4th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
I like this! I’m in, even though it is the 4th.
But! Yesterday, after sticking my foot in my mouth in front of a recently fired employee, I talked to her and told her everything would be OK and sat with her in the parking garage while she broke down. Which, was VERY nice and also, I don’t even know this person that well, but I felt so bad.
25. Laura | November 4th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Last year I got lost/burned on the “Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions,” and swore off all unscheduled niceness. I think it is time to rethink this tactic. Thanks for the re-direct. You are awesome.
26. parkingathome | November 6th, 2009 at 11:58 am
I can do this…i’ll just wait til the in-laws leave
27. Not a Girl, Not Yet a Win&hellip | November 24th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
[...] Jonniker wrote a while back about using the month of November to be positive, in place of the maddening frenzy that is NaPoBlowMe, or whatever the kids are calling it these days. I’m wondering if I might be able to do something similar for December. Anonymously or otherwise, I may try lifting spirits, including my own. New lotion for the shared office bathroom, a love note for a loved one, a book because someone mentioned a passing interest. I’ve worked this out in my head, you see; this way I can actually be both sides of myself (insert DSM diagnosis here) and I don’t have to choose. Snark or substance? Like a hooker and a great mother, you really can be both. Maybe. This entry was written by kris, posted on 11.24.09, filed under everyday. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. Post a comment or leave a trackback: Trackback URL. [...]
28. massachusetts credit repa&hellip | January 1st, 2010 at 11:25 pm
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