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My Favourite YouTube Channels // Letters to October (15)

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Dear October,

I spend a lot of time in my bed. It’s difficult to leave its warmth behind, especially when a chill has settled into every corner of my room. The duvet offers a safe cocoon from the cold, from work and responsibilities, from the indifference of the rest of the world. Safely enveloped here, I can be whoever I want. I can write, I can dream, I can count the stars.

Another space, which is often not as safe nor as warm but which I spend a lot of time in anyway, is online. In moments of boredom or when sleep eludes me, I find myself watching people create things — and here are some creators that I particularly like.

1. Annika Victoria

Even though I know nothing about sewing, I watch Annika’s tutorials because she makes them really engaging. She has a series called Make Thrift Buy, where she recreates items of fast fashion clothing with more sustainable choices. It’s really fun to watch her take on the items, including the more… unusual ones. Annika also spreads awareness of ethical fashion, which brought the issue to my attention.
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Slightly Spooky Reads // Letters to October (13)

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Dear October,

There are many things I like about you. The way the leaves glint copper and bronze in the sun. How there are fewer bugs around. And the countdown to Halloween… to some extent. As fun as the anticipation and festivities are, I’m not so fond of the actually scary parts of Halloween. Anything that remotely looks like it might have a jump scare or a girl with hair dangling across her face and I’m done. (In this context, ‘done’ means my bags are packed and I’ve moved to the other side of the planet.)

So, as today is Friday the 13th, here are some slightly spooky (and some not at all spooky) books for my fellow scaredy cat readers.

1. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

This story is narrated by Katherine ‘Merricat’ Blackwood, who lives with her sister Constance and their uncle. Years ago, the rest of their family was killed in an incident involving arsenic and now, the Blackwoods are something like outcasts in society. Apart from necessary trips to the village, they manage to live in their little bubble until one day, an arrival from a distant relative starts to unravel their peaceful existence.

At the start of this book, you will likely get the sense that something is not quite right. There’s a sense of unease and tension from the very beginning, which only grows until the horrifying climax.

Spooky rating: 4/5 non-spooky ghosts
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5 Ways to Waste Your Time // Letters to October (2)

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Dear October,

Why is it that when you’re busiest, the mind wanders to all sorts of possibilities? I could be reading right now. I could be watching a film. I could be on a boat, exploring the world. But the moment the opportunity to do all those things appears, none of it seems as exciting anymore. The world stills and all the possibilities blur into one.

During these still days, I have done few of the excellent things I had planned to whilst writing my dissertation or moving houses. I have not finished reading all the books I own or completed all my mindfulness colouring books, I haven’t finished every film in the world, nor learnt every song on the ukulele.

Instead, I have found some very good ways to waste my precious free time.

1. Worry about the past

This one is my favourite. Reach back in your memory, as far as you like, and pick apart every single mistake you think you made. Think about what could have been if only you’d known better, how great it would be if you could have a do-over, or just settle into the misguided notion that the past was better than the future will ever be. It won’t be productive at all, but it’s great if you’re looking to become nice and grumpy.

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