Dear October,

You follow September every year, but still you come as a surprise. I’m sorry to say you’re a bit of an unwelcome guest. It’s nothing personal — I’m just a nostalgic little human. I’m usually missing what’s at the other end of my trail of footsteps. By the time it’s November, I’ll probably be wishing for you.

As you arrive, you bring with you a change in the air. You turn us deeper down the path to autumn. More leaves have begun to fall and sweaters are definitively coming out of musty drawers. There’s little hope of one last glance towards summer. Anticipation already bubbles for the Halloween enthusiasts… and for some Christmas enthusiasts as well (85 days to go).

While there’s excitement for the beginning of festivities, there’s a feeling of ending as well. This year has been a tug of war, a triumph in some areas and a failure in many others. It’s bittersweet seeing it come to an end. Unease also gnaws the edge of my consciousness. Life after January is uncertain and you, October, are a step closer to the unknown.

But if I really open my eyes, you’re the lifeline before the deadline. You’re the chance to explore hidden corners, to take some chances and follow my dreams, scattered as they may be. You’re the moment to take a deep breath and take the plunge. I just hope I have the courage.

Introducing Letters to October

Hello everyone! I hope you’re doing well. Here we are again — yet another month, another blog post.

Just when I got used to September, October has muscled its way in. The leaves are not the only things changing — my life is in a bit of a limbo as I get used to being an ex-student and a sort-of adult. As I stumble through this period between student life and full-time adult life, I want to appreciate the free time devoid of deadlines and commuting in rush hour. So, I have decided to make the most of it by blogging every day in October.

The idea is inspired by Carrie Hope Fletcher’s Letters to Autumn and Emily Diana Ruth’s Letters to July. Because I leave more time between my usual posts, I want to give myself a bit more freedom with these daily blogs. Some might be a bit less bookish — I want to finish my Italy travelogues, for example. Others might be a bit more personal as I work through some of the thoughts that have nestled in my brain, in the space left behind by school-related worries.

I will return to my usual bookish misadventures at the end of the month. I hope you’ll join me for this journey, though.

Thank you for reading and I hope to see you next time.

Header image is by Aaron Burden on Unsplash.

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