On welcoming autumn.

We are back to my favourite time of year again...I adore the 'ber' months! Although this spring was more special than usual, I still always look forward to the autumn and winter months. I think my deepened love for it has a lot to do with the boys being born during these seasons which gave me reason to truly hibernate and to slow down (in some senses!), in way that I'd never done before. Before I moved to NI and met Tom, I was always on the go, always travelling somewhere. I don't think I would've called myself that much of a home bird. But life now is a very stark contrast to that. The early days of Finn were largely long, sleepy snuggles under blankets, with a quick walk to give us both fresh air and to help Finn's circadian rhythm. I loved those quiet, cosy days hidden away in our little bubble. Of course, Zach was then born in winter, and it although it was quite challenging to get them out on my own, I did it as often as I felt able. I think part of me longs to keep recreating that feeling of hibernation, of fairy lights, candles and blankets. Of making soups, stews and pies and all the other comforting meals to warm us up. To sit by the fire with a good book, and to enjoy precious, quiet days as a family in our safe space. 

One of the things I've been reflecting on that inevitably gains more traction this year, is how much consumerism is getting out of control. I watch a lot of YouTube commentary on social media trends and what is going on online, it is making me see how much pressure there is to buy certain things to feel like you aren't missing out. For me, this time of year isn't about 'things' as much as it is about slowing down, but all I keep seeing is 'hauls' of this and that, and people rushing out to buy as much as they possibly can to decorate their homes or update their wardrobes. I am as guilty as anyone for buying home decor (ask my long suffering husband), but the things I have are not particularly expensive, nor are they single use. I don't think there is anything wrong with wanting to make your home look and feel the way you want it to, but I can't help but think that the way things are going is very concerning. I saw a post on Facebook recently regarding a 'Gilmore Girls' themed blanket which is available in one retail chain and keeps selling out. The author said she had never watched a single episode of the show, but she had seen everyone else posting about the blanket, so she had to go and find it. I thought this was such a reflection of what social media can do. It makes you feel like you need to have certain things purely because they are going 'viral,' whether you like the item or not. I have seen other videos of back to school hauls where young people are showing off their new clothes and accessories after spending $1,000s, making it look like this is normal. I have seen commentary videos of 'pack my Stanley cup for a walk,' where when they break down the cost of all the accessories (for a cup..!), it adds up to $100s. People are constantly trying to sell you something, without making it look like they are, and it really worries me that so many children are seeing this type of stuff and then asking for it. So much of it is so unnecessary and is just throwaway - it doesn't add any value or meaning to anyone's life. I know that as soon as Christmas has been and gone, the internet will be awash with 'Christmas Hauls' that people will then compare themselves to. I find it bizarre that people are making so much money from creating content about absolute nonsense, but you can see how quickly it spreads and new trends emerge. 

I think you can also see such a decline in individuality, because everybody is seeking the same things to be a part of this 'viral' crowd. People are afraid to say they don't like things, or to have their own individual tastes, because then they aren't part of the movement. I saw a video recently of a Mum who bought her daughter an off-brand Stanley cup and everyone picked on her because it was fake, so she came home heartbroken begging for the real $60 version. Things are just going so far off track for what life is all about, and I want to protect our boys from this for as long as possible. I want this time of year especially to be about celebrating together, enjoying nature, giving and receiving thoughtful gifts, making yummy food together, reading good books, doing some crafts, snuggling up under blankets, warming up by the fire, watching movies and drinking hot chocolate. The simple things that create good memories. 

I wrote last time about how I'd been daydreaming of running my own book club, and I can now share that this dream is becoming a reality next month! I have been a member of my online 'Chapter' for almost a year, and they are now starting a new club in my area which I will be the host of. I am very excited to get going, and hope we can meet lots of new people and create a lovely bookish community. I have absolutely loved rediscovering my love of reading, and have now read 41 books to date this year. I love how much it helps my imagination, and allows me to escape to different worlds, new places, and to get to know new characters. My book club has been a special place for me to connect with people and make new friends, to share recommendations and to reflect on what we've read, as well as encouraging me to read things I wouldn't have chosen for myself. Hobbies are such a great way to meet like-minded people, and I'm so thankful that I decided to take the plunge, because it has now given me such an exciting opportunity for my own club, with all the support behind me. I set up my own Instagram page (more commonly known as Bookstagram!) which has been a fun creative outlet for me, and it has connected me with some wonderful people, including authors and publishers, and it feels like such a wholesome corner of the internet. I want to learn a bit more about social media and to create some good content that people enjoy looking at. 

This blog post is perhaps a little different to what I've written the last while, but I have been reflecting a lot on how I spend my time, and what is important to me. It is a very tiring stage of life, so our downtime is very precious, and I don't want to spend it consuming content that makes me feel like more 'stuff' would fix everything. You don't need a bunch of things to make the most of any season, just the things that mean the most to you. Watching the boys play every day has made me realise how little 'stuff' they really need, and how much they enjoy just having the freedom to explore. We live a pretty humble life; I still buy most of my clothes from Vinted, I trawl charity shops and often get very lucky with local groups offering free toys, I get books 2nd hand or use ebooks, and the main hobby Tom enjoys is gaming, so we allow ourselves treats relating to those, but otherwise we just get by and enjoy family days out as often as we can. My aim is always to be content with what we have, trying not to get caught up in the comparison trap, knowing how blessed we are to have everything we need. 

As we enter this time of year, I hope we can all slow down and reflect on the beauty all around us, knowing we don't really need much to make life feel special. Sometimes, the most exciting thing that can happen in your day is seeing some ducks....