October brings a blend of magic and reflection—shorter days, pumpkins glowing on porches, and this year, the joy of planning my daughter Zylah’s first Halloween. She turns 1 on November 1, making this season especially meaningful for us.

Fall in Florida is subtle, but my thoughts often return to Colorado, my home for 15 years, where aspen trees turn the mountainsides into waves of glowing gold against deep-green pines and a crisp blue sky. The mirror-like reflections off alpine lakes are breathtaking—a reminder that each season teaches us to pause and appreciate beauty. This year, I’m eager to introduce Zylah to this special place, with my fiancé Charley by our side.

When considering costumes, I can’t bring myself to buy something we’d use once and then toss aside. Inspired by Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy on Netflix and this month’s Eco Tip, “Sustainable Halloween Costumes”, on page 16, I was reminded how deeply overconsumption is in our culture. Instead, I’m crafting a simple, handmade costume for Zylah. It doesn’t need to be perfect; its imperfections add charm. For me, it’s about choosing creativity over convenience and connection over consumption.

As Marlaina Donato reminds us in “The Art of Letting Go” on page 37, surrender creates space for new possibilities. October shows us that growth comes from letting go. Nature models this so beautifully. As trees shed their leaves, they’re not losing; they’re making room for renewal. In our lives, we can release old habits, perfectionism or traditions that no longer serve us. That’s brain gain—the theme of this month’s issue: clearing mental clutter for what truly matters.

Whether planning costumes, meals or gatherings, I encourage you to reflect this October: Where can you create instead of consume, release instead of cling or savor instead of rush? Sometimes, the most meaningful changes are as small as a hand-stitched seam, a borrowed pumpkin costume or a breath of gratitude under the autumn sky. In these ordinary moments, we rediscover what is truly extraordinary—connection, renewal and the quiet joy of being fully present.

With love,

Alina