As the calendar inches closer to Thanksgiving, I can already feel that familiar mix of excitement and pressure building inside me. I love the holiday…the food, the coziness, the laughter floating through the house, the way my family fills a room with stories and warmth. However, I’ve also learned that if I’m not mindful, the day can become overwhelming fast. So, I chose to prepare not just the menu, not just the house, but my mind and heart for the holiday ahead as well.

There’s a certain stillness that arrives toward the end of the year. The air feels cooler, the days grow shorter, and life seems to gently nudge me inward…to reflect, to realign, and to remember what truly matters. Every year around this time, I find myself sitting with a warm drink, looking back on the months behind me. There’s always so much that’s happened. Joys I didn’t expect, challenges I didn’t plan for, moments of growth I didn’t see coming.

Towards the end of autumn of last year, I started building what I call my “immune-boosting and self-care rituals.” They’re not complicated…just small, steady habits that help me stay grounded, healthy, and calm before the winter winds roll in. They have changed a bit this year as I am a work in progress, but please allow me to share these routines with you.

Autumn has always been one of my favorite seasons. I absolutely love the colors, the cozy clothes, the crisp air that feels like a fresh start. However, it’s also one of the busiest times of year. The start of a new school year, new goals for my small business and Etsy shop, appointments left and right. Before I know it, I’m running on iced coffee and to-do lists.

Welcome to a new month everyone! It's October. I can feel the seasonall shift in the atmosphere. October is known for many types of awareness including breast cancer, national bullying prevention, national domestic violence month, LGBTQ+ history month, ADHD awarness month, and world mental health day (October 10). For this week's blog, I have chosen to focus on mental health and the topic of choice is creating cozy spaces for better mental health.

There’s something magical about the arrival of fall. It is truly my favorite season. The air feels crisper, the days grow a little shorter, and life seems to invite me to slow down and savor the simple things. For me, comfort in this season isn’t just about wrapping myself in a blanket or sipping a hot drink. It’s also about nourishing my body with foods that feel good, fuel me, and remind me that even small routines can bring big joy.

It’s the start of the new school year. The mark of the beginning of the season changing. We will be saying goodbye to summer and heading into fall soon. Each season brings something new with it. Every time the seasons begin to shift, I feel it. I don't just feel it outside my window, but inside myself too. The air feels different, the rhythm of the days change, and suddenly I find myself adjusting to new routines, new light, and even new emotions.

I think what gratitude has taught me most is presence. Life moves fast, and it’s easy to get caught up in what’s next. But gratitude reminds me to pause, to notice what’s already here, to soak it in before it slips away.

We have the right to protect our energy, our time, and our mental health. The more we practice, the more natural it will feel.

Detoxing holistically means recognizing that the mind, body, and spirit are deeply connected. When one is out of alignment, it affects the others.

Mindful journaling is a practice that blends mindfulness, the art of being fully present in the moment, with the self-reflective power of writing. It’s not just about what happened during your day, but how you felt, breathed, responded, and grew in that day.

Today, I invite you to try it. The next time someone speaks, pause. Don’t rush to fill the silence. Don’t think about what you’ll say next. Just listen with your whole heart.   You might be surprised at how much beauty you’ll hear. Not only in their words, but in the quiet spaces between them. I hope this blog has found you in good spirits and that you enjoyed reading my personal thoughts on mindful listening as much as I have enjoyed sharing them with you. I'm looking f