Man, November 2018. I still remember that month like it was yesterday, even though it feels like a lifetime ago. Back then, my love life was, well, a mess. A total disaster zone, if I’m honest. I was single, but constantly caught up in these weird, almost-relationships that never went anywhere. It left me feeling pretty beat up, always wondering what was wrong with me. I’d overthink everything, analyze every text, every look, every non-committal answer until my head spun. My friends were getting married, having kids, and I was just… stuck. I felt like I was in a hamster wheel, running and running but getting nowhere.
One particularly glum Saturday morning, I was just scrolling through stuff online, trying to distract myself from the usual pity party. I wasn’t really a horoscope person, never had been. Thought it was all a bunch of mumbo jumbo, to be honest. But then, for whatever reason, I saw this article pop up: “Virgo Monthly Love Horoscope: November 2018 Insights.” And I don’t know, maybe it was desperation, or just plain boredom, but I clicked it. I figured, what’s the harm? It’s not like anything else was working.
I started reading through it, and I gotta admit, some of it just hit different. It wasn’t the usual vague stuff. It talked about how Virgos, like me, tend to get lost in their heads, over-analyzing every tiny detail in relationships. It said November would be a time to really step back and look at things, but not with that usual critical eye. Instead, it urged Virgos to try and feel more and think less. That really got me. I mean, my brain was always on overdrive, picking apart every single interaction. The idea of just… feeling? It felt alien.
Then there was another bit that really stung, but in a good way. It talked about how we Virgos often criticize ourselves and others too much, always striving for perfection. And that this month, the insight was to really try and build up instead of tear down. That hit me hard because I knew I was guilty of it. Not just with others, but especially with myself. Always seeing my flaws, always judging. It was exhausting, frankly. The horoscope suggested that true connection wouldn’t come from finding fault, but from finding common ground and appreciating the imperfect.
It also brought up communication. It said something like, “Don’t assume your partner or potential partner can read your mind. Speak your truth, clearly and kindly.” I always had this bad habit of expecting people to just know what I wanted or how I felt. If they didn’t, I’d get annoyed or pull away. This article was basically telling me to cut that out and actually, you know, talk.
Finally, it mentioned opportunities for new connections or strengthening existing ones, but only if I was willing to step out of my comfort zone and embrace the unexpected. That resonated with me because my comfort zone was pretty much just my couch and my endless thoughts. I rarely put myself out there unless absolutely necessary, and always with a healthy dose of cynicism.
Putting Those Insights to the Test
After reading all that, I felt a weird mix of skepticism and a tiny spark of hope. I thought, “Alright, fine. What if I actually tried this stuff?” I wasn’t going to become a horoscope fanatic overnight, but the advice felt surprisingly practical, even if it came from a cosmic prediction. So, I decided to treat November 2018 as an experiment.
My first task was to kill the overthinking. Every time I caught myself spiraling into analysis paralysis about why someone didn’t text back immediately, or what a certain emoji really meant, I’d force myself to stop. I’d literally say “Nope!” out loud sometimes, just to break the cycle. I tried to focus on what was happening right now, not what might happen or what it might mean. It was incredibly hard, like trying to stop a runaway train in my own head.
Next was the criticism bit. I made a conscious effort to praise people more, to look for the good in situations, and especially, to be kinder to myself. Instead of mentally listing my shortcomings, I tried to acknowledge things I did well, even small stuff. When I was on a date, instead of finding every little thing wrong, I actively searched for things I liked about the person, or the conversation, or even just the atmosphere. It felt forced at first, but slowly, it started to feel more natural.
Then came the communication challenge. This was huge for me. I had been ghosting an old friend, just because I was bad at replying and felt guilty. So, I just bit the bullet and sent a simple, honest message. “Hey, sorry I’ve been so quiet. Life’s been a bit much, but I’d love to catch up.” Shockingly, they replied immediately, happy to hear from me. It was a small win, but it felt massive. I also started trying to express my feelings more directly, even when it felt awkward. Instead of just brooding, I’d say, “I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed right now,” or “I really enjoyed that.” It felt clunky, but people actually seemed to appreciate the honesty.
And finally, stepping out of the comfort zone. My coworker invited me to a random trivia night, something I’d usually decline in favor of staying home. But remembering the horoscope, I thought, “What the heck.” I went. And you know what? It was actually fun. I met some new people, laughed a lot, and didn’t spend the entire night overthinking my existence. It was just a chill evening, and it felt good to just be there.
What I Learned from November 2018
Did November 2018 turn into some grand romantic movie ending? Nah, not exactly. My love life didn’t magically sort itself out overnight, and I didn’t suddenly find “the one” because I read a horoscope. But what did happen was way more important than that. The insights from that silly online article acted like a kick in the pants, a push to actually change things I already knew were problems.
- I learned to shut my brain up a little. It taught me to practice being present, to experience moments instead of dissecting them to death.
- I saw the power of kindness, especially towards myself. When I stopped picking apart every flaw, I felt a lot lighter, and oddly, more open to others.
- Direct communication is a game-changer. It felt vulnerable, but it cut through so much unnecessary drama and misunderstanding. People aren’t mind readers, and expecting them to be is just unfair.
- Stepping out felt good. Trying new things, even small ones, opened up my world a little bit. It showed me that good stuff could happen when I wasn’t rigidly in control.
That November didn’t give me a perfect relationship, but it gave me something better: a new way of approaching relationships and, more importantly, a new way of approaching myself. It shifted my perspective and set me on a path to being less of an overthinking critic and more of an open, honest human. And honestly, looking back, that was exactly what I needed.
