October Reflections: Ending the Month with Safety, Self-Care, and Friendships

October Reflections: Ending the Month with Safety, Self-Care, and Friendships

As October winds down and we step into Halloween, I want to take a moment to reflect on everything we’ve shared this month. We’ve talked a lot about building ourselves up, setting boundaries, and being our own best friends. We’ve explored the importance of having tools, like your anti-stress bag, and how small, comforting habits—like crossword puzzles, bubbles, and tea—can help us feel grounded during tough moments. But as we wrap up the month, there’s one thing I want to leave you with: safety, both in the world around us and in the space we create for ourselves.

Halloween is a time for fun, but it’s also a reminder that life can bring unexpected moments. As we navigate this season, let’s make sure we are being mindful of our emotional and mental well-being. If you’re going out, or even just reflecting at home, remember the tools you’ve built for yourself. Whether it’s your “anti-stress bag” or the mental exercises we’ve talked about, these little acts of self-care can help us feel safe and supported.

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the season, but it’s important to check in with ourselves too. Have we been honoring our boundaries? Are we practicing compassion for ourselves? Are we feeling safe in the spaces we are in, whether physically or emotionally? It’s okay to say no to things that don’t feel right, and it’s okay to step back if we need to. This is your life, and you deserve to feel safe and supported every day.

If you find yourself needing extra support, remember there are apps that can help with mental exercises and self-care practices. Apps like Calm or Headspace offer meditation and mindfulness exercises to help reduce anxiety. Insight Timer is another great app for guided meditations, while Breethe provides calming exercises for emotional wellness. These tools can be just as handy as your anti-stress bag, giving you the space to reset and recharge when life gets overwhelming.

I also want to remind you that friendship is a huge part of healing. Not just the friendships we have with others, but the friendship we have with ourselves. We’ve talked a lot about the importance of being your own best friend and learning how to nurture that relationship. In those quiet moments, when things feel tough, remember that you are not alone. Even if it feels like no one else is around, you are there for yourself. You have your back.

So as we close out this month, I want you to reflect on the steps you’ve taken, the growth you’ve made, and the tools you’ve gathered to keep yourself safe, supported, and grounded. And as Halloween approaches, be mindful—take care of yourself, stay safe, and remember the importance of practicing self-care, no matter where you are or what you’re doing.

Kathe'rine