Oh, October, you mischievous month! You’ve always thrown me for a loop. Back when I was living in NYC (pre-kids), this time of year meant crisp air and colorful leaves—a sure sign that winter and the holiday season were upon us. I worked in restaurants and clubs, which meant a plethora of holiday parties and my pockets were padded.
Now, as a mom in Texas, October is a whole different ballgame. The stores are filled with sweaters and scarves, yet the weather is still hot as all get out! Don't get me wrong, I love the heat and would happily sweat my butt off year-round as long as there was access to a body of water and spicy margaritas! But it's October and The Man is really pushing those Pumpkin Spice Lattes!
Anyone who has attended ACL (Austin City Limits) can attest to the insufferable dryness and glaring sun that beats down while you’re dodging dust clouds while shuffling from one stage to the next. And no, the ONE year it rained doesn't change this fact: IT'S HOT OUT THERE!
Now let's move on to school and all the nasty illnesses that brings. By now, my kids have usually survived at least one round of some gross, mucus-laden virus, but October cranks the “ick” factor up to eleven. It’s like germs are having a party at school, and we’re all invited! You have to pay extra though, those parties add up, let me tell ya!
And here come the pumpkin spice memes! Seriously, does anyone need that much pumpkin-flavored anything? I can barely make Pumpkin Bread anymore without feeling like I've sold my soul to the Fall Devil. Meanwhile, Halloween decorations are already popping up in stores, as if they’ve been waiting in the wings since last year. And just like that, bam! It’s officially October, folks!
Enter Halloween... sigh. Honestly, it’s my least favorite holiday (a close second to Valentine’s Day—overpriced flowers and terrible chocolate? No, thanks). I’ve never liked being scared, and gorging on candy is just not my vibe. And can we talk about the hate for Candy Corn? It’s innocent compared to those vile Peeps!
Finding Halloween costumes for the kids is an Olympic event. By the time the big day rolls around, they’ve either outgrown their costume, it’s too hot out for a fuzzy bear suit in Texas, or they suddenly declare it "so cringe, mom." Oh, the joys of parenting!
Sure, I might sound a little bah-humbug, but come on—doesn’t putting up decorations three times in as many months feel a tad excessive? I do it anyway, of course, what kind of parent would I be if I didn't?! Buying costumes and cute outfits for the family, scheduling photographers, getting holiday cards sent out, picking a tree....omg! I just jumped ahead to a completely different holiday. I guess that's what happens to store managers! It's like a giant holiday tumbleweed barreling through my brain. And just like that, it's spring again! SQUEEEEE!
Okay, Carolyn, time to reel it back. Not even close to spring.
But amidst all the October chaos, let’s hit pause for a moment to chat about something incredibly important: self-care! I mean, we’re shelling out serious cash on decorations, costumes, and enough candy to feed a small army. So, really, how much is our peace of mind worth? I’d argue it’s priceless!
Seriously, if we can splurge on inflatable Halloween lawn decorations that will only see the light of day for a month, why not invest a little in our own well-being? Finding even a sliver of time for ourselves can be a total game changer. Picture this: you sneak away for a blissful moment with a warm cup of tea, just savoring the silence before the kids come charging in like tiny tornadoes. Or how about treating yourself to a rejuvenating yoga class where you can stretch out all that tension from the day? And let’s not forget indulging in a restorative sound bath, where you can float away on a cloud of soothing sounds while your mind takes a well-deserved vacation.
This October, let’s make a pact to prioritize ourselves, even if it’s just for a couple of hours. Because let’s face it, a happy parent is like the secret sauce for a happy home! When we take care of ourselves, we’re better equipped to handle the wild ride that is parenting—and we can approach the endless school events and costume dilemmas with a little more grace (maybe a few less eye rolls and wine consumption).
So, what does your October madness look like? How do you manage to carve out a little “me time” in the midst of all the craziness? I’d love to hear your creative solutions in the comments below! Let’s swap tips and maybe even share a laugh or two about the hilarity that is parenting in October! 🍂🎃✨
#selfcare #octobermadness #momlife #mompreneur #selflove #postnatalyoga #womanhood #parenting #stressrelief #selflovejourney #soundbath #yoga
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