The clocks changed yesterday, and as I write this, it’s four o’clock on Monday the 27th. I’m sat on a log in the middle of our woods, just taking in the moment — the stillness, the colour, the soft hush of autumn all around me.
I feel incredibly blessed. This season has brought so many wonderful people through my workbench for the autumnal wreath workshops, and I can’t quite express how much that means to me.
I know that, in this current cost of living crisis, money is tight for so many. So when people choose to invest in themselves — to take time out, to come and create, to step into this space with me — it truly means the world.
What has blown me away most are the creations themselves. Each wreath has been a reflection of its maker — unique, expressive, full of character. I’ve loved giving everyone beautiful materials to work with and then simply stepping back, letting them explore, letting their creativity lead the way. No rules, no right or wrong — just making, connecting, and discovering the quiet joy of creating something with your own hands.
As I sit here now, a kite circles gracefully above me. It feels like a little sign — a reminder to pause, to look up, to breathe. Life beyond these woods can feel chaotic, unpredictable, and at times overwhelming. But what we can control is how we choose to care for ourselves. Sometimes that means giving yourself permission to stop. To walk through the leaves and listen to their crunch beneath your feet. To watch dogs chase through the long grass. To let the beauty of the world bring you back to yourself.
I’ll be a little quieter over the next few weeks — the calm before the Christmas storm. The festive season always brings with it a whirlwind of creativity, with workshops filling fast and new faces to meet. I can already feel the excitement building for what’s to come — the sparkle, the scent of evergreens, and the magic of making together once again.
October has always been one of my favourite months. It carries the last of the sunshine, gently leading us towards the darker evenings and the warmth of firesides. The colours this year have been breathtaking — so vivid they’ve filled my creative mind to the brim. Everywhere I look, I see inspiration: textures, tones, shapes waiting to be gathered, cut, and transformed into something beautiful.
But creativity, like the seasons, needs balance. Sometimes the best way to keep creating is to simply stop. To take a moment. To be still.
So from me to you — I send love, gratitude, and a gentle nudge to give yourself permission. Permission to play. Permission to rest. Permission to just be.
With love always, Cerus