| Why I Love October Have you ever wanted something so badly that it scared you? That’s where courage really lives, and October seems to hold space for that kind of bravery. Elyse Myers says, “Do it scared,” and I’ve found myself repeating those words a lot this season. Because if I can do it scared… so can you. October has always been my favorite month. It’s the season where I feel most alive, most playful, most me. Spooky season brings out an energy nothing else can… apple-flavored everything, scary movies, fall fairs, golden leaves, and a little bit of witchy magic. It’s cozy and thrilling all at once. But this October feels different. It’s not just about pumpkins and costumes. It feels like courage. That has been the theme of my fall so far and the theme of a road trip that stretched from Florida all the way up the East Coast and into Canada. And honestly, it has been the theme of love too… taking steps that make your heart pound but also make you feel fully yourself. The First Leap The trip began in Florida, where my mom and I stayed with Brooke and her family. Those days felt like daily resets. Every morning began fresh, and every night we found ourselves braver… hands brushing, sitting closer, working up the courage to hold on a little longer. On our very first night, after a long day of travel, Brooke and I couldn’t resist slipping down to the beach in our pajamas. We planned to only let the waves brush our feet, but soon I was wading up to my knees, and a wave caught Brooke unexpectedly, taking her out. We laughed, even as she held the phone high in the air so it wouldn’t get wet and kept the key card safe in her pocket. Thank goodness. Cold and soaked, we wandered back and found the heated pool still open. We slipped into the water, steam rising against the night sky, expecting just a few minutes to thaw. Instead, hours passed. We sat side by side, talking about our lives, our hands resting near each other on the edge, close but not touching. Then the smallest shift… our pinkies brushed. My heart stopped for a moment, caught in the quiet. And then she moved her hand to mine, fingers interlocking with a certainty that changed everything. It was innocent, simple, and new. But it taught me something important: courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it’s walking into the waves in your pajamas. Sometimes it’s letting your hand move an inch closer. Sometimes it’s choosing to do it scared. Mile by Mile When my mom and I left Florida on August 27th, the road stretched wide open. Our friend Reagan joined us in South Carolina, bringing her best car dance moves. Jess met us later in New York and brought the silliness. Brooke rejoined the trip a couple of times for multiple days, adding so much excitement. My mom was with me through it all, her steady presence grounding every mile. Some of my favorite parts weren’t the destinations but the in-betweens… driving and singing, road games, laughter spilling across states. Courage looked different there, too. It was letting myself be seen in my quirks, my bad singing voice, and my honest stories on long drives. It was learning that courage isn’t just in the big leaps, it’s in the quiet daily choice to be ourselves with the people who love us. Lessons from the Road Each place left its own imprint: Niagara Falls wrapped us in awe, reminding me that some things are worth standing still for, even if the mist soaks you through. New York glittered with magic. At Bethesda Fountain, a man sang “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” and for a moment the noise of the city softened, leaving us suspended in music and stillness. Amherst, Massachusetts, gave us poetry. Brooke and I visited the Emily Dickinson House, standing beneath a tree and recreating a scene from the show that once felt like it saved us. To carry that story into real life felt like honoring both poetry and love. The Conjuring House was pure spooky joy. I even trespassed with another fan just to get close before it got auctioned off. It wasn’t fear… it was playful, a reminder that courage can be fun. The Warren Occult Museum showed me how some things that once scared us lose their power once we actually see them. Maybe our inner fears work the same way. Massachusetts again gave us grounding peace. Crisp air, chai and cinnamon, woods painted gold. The season itself seemed to be whispering, You’re allowed to begin again. Asheville, North Carolina, gave me rain. Brooke and I kissed beneath it on the last night, a quiet moment that felt like fall itself… fresh, grounding, alive. Through all of it, what I kept learning was this: love that feels like honoring yourself is worth every leap. It’s the conversations, the reassurance, the quiet “hey, I’m here.” It’s scary, yes, but the best things usually are. Loving someone is fun. Scary, but so fun. What Fall Reminds Us Fall reminds us that transformation doesn’t wait for fear to pass. The trees don’t hold on until they feel ready; they let go when it’s time. In hypnotherapy, change often happens the same way: not because we’ve eliminated fear, but because we choose to move anyway. You don’t have to wait until you’re unafraid. You can do it scared. An Invitation for You This October, I hope you find your own kind of courage… whether it’s in love, in change, or in simply choosing joy when it feels easier to hide. Maybe for you it’s saying yes to something that excites you, or telling someone how much they mean to you, or even just carving out a night for yourself with your favorite scary movie and a cup of cider. Courage comes in all sizes, and every act of it is worth celebrating. What’s something you’ve been wanting to do that you’re a bit scared of, and could this be the season you finally try? |
