This autumn is flying by! How is it already October? Anyway, happy October, everyone! π
I'm writing this from one of my favourite coffee places in Brighton. Every Wednesday, Artie spends the day with his human best friend, which means a slightly different routine, including dropping him off early in the morning. I overslept today, so this is me catching my breath and enjoying the view of people walking by on this gloomy, rainy October day.
In many ways, October is my favourite month. It's the grand finale in my world, which is completely unfair towards November. It's the month of Halloween and spooky season, not to mention my birthday. I fall for the whimsical nature of October every year. I love the decorated shop windows, the Halloween specials on TV and the way nature puts on her best show.Β
October 1st is a holiday in my house, which Artie doesn't really understand. For him, it's the time of year when we get him cute costumes again, in preparation for the big night on the 31st when he 'scares' trick-or-treaters.
The essence of October
I don't know when it stopped, but at some point the magic that used to arrive so effortlessly every autumn became something to be chased. The moments I treasure most are those I had as a child, getting into the Halloween spirit and watching seasonal episodes of my favourite shows. October seemed endless as a child. These days, it just races by β and that's not just because shops put their Christmas stuff out as early as September.
October 1st came almost as a surprise. None of the things I wanted to plan for my favourite time of year have been planned, and it feels like everything is happening so quickly that it's easy to miss all the special moments. I also wanted to have made much more progress with a new product β Artie's paw balm β which I want to release very soon.
So, I'm sitting here wondering what the essence of October really is. What is this time of year really all about?Β
I think I've come up with a good list of things that serve as much as instructions to myself as I hope they will as inspiration for you.
Be mindful, live in the moment and treasure every day
The last four months of the year are undoubtedly the best, packed as they are with celebrations, activities and holidays. That's precisely why the time flies by. It's easy to just think from one highlight to the next and waste the days in between. Try to make every day worth celebrating and experience this festive time consciously.
Stop chasing the perfect time
THE perfect time doesn't exist. Do whatever makes you happy: apple picking, visiting a pumpkin patch, spending time with as many or as few people as you like. What I love most about October and the upcoming Halloween celebrations is that there are no social expectations, unlike at Christmas. A night in is just as appealing as dressing up for a Halloween party.
Don't fall for consumerism
Although The Fall Company sells products, I wanted this place to be different in many ways. The high-pressure environments of TikTok shops, which try to sell you autumn in the form of cups, blankets, coats and soaps, and which claim that you can't have a good time without certain products, are wrong. Don't fall for it. You don't need new autumn and Halloween decor every year to embrace the spirit of the season. In fact, the huge wave of nostalgia these days ignores the fact that, back then, the same decorations were used year after year. That's what makes things truly nostalgic and warm.
Embrace the change
Nature is changing, and autumn is both a season and a transitional time. Some people really struggle with the darker, rainier days that autumn brings. I used to be one of those people who suffered from seasonal depression, but I worked hard to embrace even the days that aren't generally considered nice.
Changing your perspective can help you get through the harsher side of autumn and winter. A rainy day is the perfect excuse to stay in, light a candle and read a book. A sunny but cold day is an invitation to layer up in your comfy clothes and go for a walk. Snowy days are perfect for hot chocolate and Hallmark movies. Try embracing things as they are, and I promise you'll enjoy yourself.
For me, the essence of October is mindfulness. I'm going to start changing things around at the weekend, rather than letting the month fly by. There's so much to do and so much to read and experience, not to mention all the things I'd like to do for The Fall Company.
And, of course, Artie wants his fair share of cuddles.
Happy October, everyone.
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