Hello friends, I like so many who love October, am sad to see the month go. Welcome to another introspective ramble post.
Above is a tiny peek into my October. It included going to pumpkin patches, playing in crunchy leaves, dressing up for Halloween, falling in love with middle-grade books, cutting more inches off my hair ( how short will I go lol), a breakup, and more. As a very reflective person, I always like to look back at a month and take stock of things. Things that went well & were happy, things that were not, etc.
Though there were many happy things like just the sheer happiness and anticipation of it being my favorite month, there were some very sad ones as well. Like the many horrors happening in the world, A family member of mine was diagnosed with terminal cancer, a not-so-happy breakup, and everyday stresses. Sometimes I find how far life can swing from one side of the spectrum to the other quite hard and overwhelming. You can be so very happy in one moment and in the next feel like the ground has bottomed out and your heart hits your stomach. I know this is life. We all experience these kinds of swings but for me being a highly sensitive person and a chronically ill one, these swings make me want to escape further into the comforts I have created for myself. I use escape lightly. Trying to escape the realities of life isn’t a healthy way to cope but it is okay to partake in things that wrap some peace around you.
Those comforts for me being my books, my work at the children’s library, lighting all my candles in the evening and only allowing cozy warm lighting. Cooking warming and wholesome meals like a GF chicken pie (picture above). Turning on my fireplace. Leaving my windows open to let in the crisp air. Watching shows I have seen too many times to count over new ones, hugging my dog probably a little too much. All of these help to balance out the weight of the heaviness. I hope that when things are hard for you or you are experiencing a season of hardship you lean into the things that bring you soft peace and comfort and even joy. Joy is always allowed. We often think it’s not when things are hard or someone has it harder than us. But we must seek it. A reminder to myself as well.
Even with such happy moments and swings to sad ones, I am ever grateful for another October come and gone. I welcome the warmth, softness, and slowness of November. To me, the coziest month of Autumn. A little deep breath before the festive season begins.
Let me know how your October was, highs or lows, or anything you’d like to share.
With love,
M
Whimsy & Willow 