Intentionality and October

Happy Wednesday!

I was honestly going to skip this week because I didn't really have anything to say... I go through these ups and downs with this blog. These high seasons where the well is full and low seasons where there's a drought and I feel like I have nothing to say. But that's not true. Even when we're in a slow season, there are still words to be written even if they seem inconsequential or not enough for a whole blog post. Really, I just didn't want to miss a week. It bothers me when I don't put a blog post up every week even if I have good reason for it haha

October is here and I couldn't be happier. The weather didn't really get the memo, though. The last few days have been in the high seventies and creeping up toward the eighties sneakily as if it doesn't think anyone will notice. Well, I have. I have noticed and I am not amused. Warm Falls always annoy me. By September I'm done wearing shorts and t-shirts and flip flops. I'm done with the hot weather and the sun beating down on me every time I leave the house. I'm done with all the bees and spiders and other creepy crawlies. But it seems we're going to have to wait a little longer before we can have our full-on Fall complete with changing leaves and cold weather.

This Fall feels a little bittersweet to me. I thought about it a lot in September. I'm missing a friend I've had for years and years. There are little traditions that don't really matter in the grand scheme of things but that meant the world to me that I won't get to do this year. The holiday season as a whole is going to have little holes in it where that person used to be. It doesn't hurt as much as it did in September. I feel like I got the grieving process over with last month and I'm glad for that. Now I can enjoy my October... but I know there will be days when I'll think about what I'm missing and what previous years used to look like for me during this time.

I feel like there are probably a lot of people who might be feeling the same way. This is our second holiday season post Covid, but I know I'm not the only one who lost a friend this past year or past two years. There are those who lost friends who are still alive and there are some who lost friends and family members who are no longer with us for a multitude of reasons. Both situations are different and one is very much more devastating than losing someone who's still alive... but grief is still a thing for both. Grief comes in varying shades but is the same in so many ways for many different situations.

The world feels like a different place. Life feels different when you have a person-sized hole in it. But despite the bittersweetness of certain aspects of this season, I'm more determined than ever to have a good October and holiday season. Because of the uncertainty of this world, the loss of a friend, I want to soak up as much as I can and make this season even better than it has been in previous years. This holiday season I encourage you to not take anything for granted and to make time for festivities and fun. I know some of us have jobs, and some of us have a boatload of homework. Some of us have very busy lives. But this holiday season I don't want us to waste any time. If your family is going out for a Fall or winter walk or to a Christmas party, go with them. Your homework and business will be there when you get back. Make time over the weekends to go out with friends or family and do something fun. Pick apples. Carve pumpkins. Go trick or treating with little siblings. Eat lots of food with family for Thanksgiving.

I've made an intentional effort this year and especially this month to put aside my worry and business to go out and do things. If a friend asks to hang out, I say yes. If my mom is taking my little brothers somewhere fun and asks if I want to come, I say yes. Because I know I am lucky to be in a season where I have very flexible hours. I don't have anywhere I need to be at a certain time throughout the day, so I want to take advantage of that to the fullest because seasons change and next season I might not have that sort of freedom. It's the best way to live honestly. I have to remind myself that my writing and my homework will be there when I get back. There are lots of hours in the day and time to get stuff done. But there might not always be time to spend with people we love, so we should soak it up as much as we can when we can.

Let's all be moe intentional during these last three months of the year. Let's put business aside and put loved ones and rest first as the holiday season sweeps in and everyone fills up their calendars with to-do lists. 

What's something you're looking forward to this holiday season?