the energy has changed...
The air is cooler, there is less light, and the mornings and evenings have begun to feel quite different from the open, outward flow of summer. It can be valuable, at this point in the year, to check in and notice where we are within that change, rather than assuming we are the same and that our needs are the same.
We can so easily move from one season to the next carrying the same expectations, the same pace and the same routines. But we are not separate from the seasons, and as the cycles change, so do we. Autumn offers a natural reminder to come back to ourselves and ask what this month may need to contain more of. Perhaps more warmth, more space, more time to process, or simply some ordinary comforts that help us feel supported as the light changes.
For me, this is the heart of finding balance. It is about noticing what is true, without judgement, and allowing that awareness to shape how we care for ourselves.
So, as we move into October, perhaps the question is: What do I need this month to contain more of, so that I know I am nurturing my own needs rather than pushing past them?
Warm Spiced Apple Juice
You will need:
- 500ml apple juice
- 1 cinnamon stick, or ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 slices of lemon
- 2 slices of fresh ginger, optional
- 2 cloves, optional
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup, optional
- A little extra lemon juice, to taste
To make it:
- Pour the apple juice into a small pan and add the cinnamon, lemon slices, and ginger or cloves if using.
- Warm gently over a low heat for 5–10 minutes, allowing the spices to infuse. Try not to boil it, as a gentle heat keeps the flavour softer.
- Taste, then add a little honey, maple syrup or lemon juice if you would like more sweetness or sharpness.
- Strain into a mug, wrap your hands around it, and take a few quiet minutes before moving on.
This is less of a complicated recipe and more of a small seasonal delight: warm apple, spice, lemon, and a few minutes to let the body know the pace can change.
I hope October offers you opportunities to notice what you need, to welcome a little more warmth and space, and to allow your own pace to change with the season.
