October is here, and with it comes that unmistakable shift into the colder months.
The days are getting shorter, the air feels crisper and suddenly everything starts to slow down a little. Summer plans make way for cosy evenings, warm drinks, good food and spending more time indoors with the people we love. And honestly? I think I'm ready for it.
There is something comforting about this time of year. About swapping terraces for cosy bars, spontaneous summer evenings for dinners at home and busy days for moments where you intentionally slow things down.
So this month is all about embracing that change.
Enjoying the colder days instead of fighting them, making time for the people around us and finding small ways to bring a little more warmth into everyday life.
And of course, we are entering what I like to call the Octo-BAR, Novem-BAR and Decem-BAR months. 🍷
So maybe autumn isn't looking too bad after all…
From terraces to cosy bars
The colder it gets, the more I start appreciating cosy little bars.
Warm lighting, good music, a nice table somewhere in the corner and a glass of wine that you can slowly enjoy while completely losing track of time.
Lately, I've also been discovering more natural wines and something completely new to me: orange wine.
Despite the name, orange wine doesn't contain oranges. It's made from white grapes, but the grape skins stay in contact with the juice during fermentation. This gives the wine its beautiful golden or amber colour and often a fuller, more complex flavour.
I'm definitely still discovering what I like, but maybe that's exactly the fun of it.
A few ways to make a cosy autumn evening even better:
- Discover a little wine bar you've never visited before.
- Try something new, like natural or orange wine.
- Ask the staff for their personal recommendations.
- Put your phone away and enjoy a good conversation.
- Take your time. There's no need to rush home.
Sometimes the best evenings are the ones without a plan.
Slow weekend mornings
My work rhythm is well and truly back, which apparently also means my internal alarm clock doesn't understand weekends anymore.
Luckily, my best friend has the same problem.
So whenever the sun decides to show itself, we get on our bikes and find a nice breakfast spot somewhere in Rotterdam.
Coffee, something good to eat and no need to rush.
And afterwards, we often disappear into Donner.
I love walking through a bookstore without looking for anything specific. Browsing, getting inspired and occasionally finding a book you can't leave behind.
There is something so relaxing about slowing down, putting your phone away and simply wandering around for a while.
My favourite recipe for a slow autumn morning?
- Start the day without immediately checking your phone.
- Head outside for a little fresh air or a bike ride.
- Find a cosy breakfast spot and enjoy a good coffee.
- Visit a bookstore and take your time browsing.
- Head home with a new book and absolutely no plans.
Nothing extraordinary, but exactly what makes a weekend feel like a weekend.
The perfect preparation for those colder afternoons at home.
Learning to love the rain
If there's one thing autumn in the Netherlands teaches you, it's to always keep an umbrella nearby.
And I'm expecting London to be much the same.
But strangely enough, I've started enjoying walks in the rain a little more.
Wrapped up in a warm coat, taking things slower and simply enjoying the fresh air.
Sometimes with music, sometimes just listening to the rain.
And coming home afterwards somehow feels even better.
Warm clothes on, a cup of fresh tea and nowhere else you need to be. ☕🌧️
Maybe rainy days aren't that bad after all.
Good food, good people
The colder days also make me want to spend more time with the people around me.
And my favourite way to do that? Food.
Discovering a new restaurant, having dinner with family or cooking together with friends.
Add a board game, put the phones away and suddenly you've spent an entire evening simply talking, eating and laughing together.
We spend so much time on screens, answering messages and thinking about what comes next.
So having an evening where everyone is simply present feels extra special.
Good food, good people and nowhere else you need to be.
A gift that keeps on growing
Whenever someone invites me over, I always like bringing something.
A good bottle of wine that matches the dinner.
A homemade dessert.
Or something a little different.
The Botanian Mini Greenhouse is a lovely alternative if you want to bring something that lasts a little longer.
It gives someone the opportunity to start growing their own herbs indoors, even when it gets colder outside.
Basil, parsley, coriander — whatever they love using in the kitchen.
A small gift that doesn't disappear after one evening, but actually keeps growing. 🌱
A little gift that keeps on growing.
Give yourself permission to slow down
I've also noticed that the changing season makes me more tired.
And instead of fighting that, I'm trying to listen to it.
Summer is full of long days, energy and plans.
Autumn can be something else.
After eight in the evening, I try to slow things down a little more.
My little autumn evening routine:
- Put my phone away. Give myself a break from messages, notifications and endless scrolling.
- Do my skincare properly. Take a little extra time for myself.
- Play some classical music. Create a peaceful atmosphere at home.
- Read a few pages. Even if it's just one chapter.
- Make a cup of tea. Something warm to end the day.
- Go outside for a quiet evening walk. Sometimes fresh air is exactly what I need.
Nothing complicated.
Just small moments where there is nothing I need to achieve.
Because life is already full enough with everything we want to do and everything we feel like we have to do.
So this autumn, give yourself a little more rest and a little more love.
Little ways to embrace the cosy season
If you're looking for a little inspiration this October, here's your reminder that enjoying autumn doesn't have to be complicated.
- Go out for breakfast.
- Spend an hour in a bookstore.
- Try that orange wine.
- Invite friends over.
- Take a walk in the rain.
- Grow something indoors.
- Make your favourite comfort food.
- Enjoy an evening without your phone.
- Give yourself permission to do absolutely nothing.
And when you're tired? Rest.
Summer gave us long days.
Autumn gives us permission to come home. 🍂💚
And with Novem-BAR just around the corner, I think there's still plenty to look forward to.
