Why October Reminds Us to Embrace Change in Life and in Death
October carries a certain kind of wisdom. The air shifts, the light softens, and the trees begin to let go of what they no longer need. It is a reminder that change is both natural and necessary. Letting go is not always easy, but it is part of how life moves forward.
For many of us, this season stirs something deeper. The stillness of autumn has a way of drawing us inward. We may feel the ache of grief as the days shorten or find ourselves reflecting on the chapters we have lived and the ones still ahead. The falling leaves remind us that endings are not failures. They are transitions, layered, non-linear, and filled with meaning.
This is much like the grief we carry when we lose someone we love. Grief does not move in a straight line, nor does it follow a predictable timeline. Instead, it weaves itself into our days, rising and falling like the seasons. Grief is the echo of love, a reminder that something sacred took place in our lives. It is proof of deep connection, and because of that, it reshapes who we are and how we see the world.
October also brings us face-to-face with the truth that life is finite. We are not meant to avoid that reality, but to live with it in mind. End-of-life planning is one way to honor this truth with intention. Just as nature prepares for winter, we, too, can prepare by ensuring that our values and wishes are known and honored.
Legacy is not simply about what we leave behind in material form, but about how we are remembered. A powerful way to do this is through creating a legacy letter or ethical will. These are not legal documents, but personal ones that hold your voice, your values, and your love. They are a chance to write directly to those who matter most, offering stories, guidance, and encouragement that live on long after you are gone. In many ways, these letters are seeds of love planted for the future.
As we move through this month, I encourage you to pause and notice where change is asking something of you. Is there something to release that no longer serves you? A conversation to begin that brings peace or clarity? A plan you have been meaning to put into place that would lighten the weight for those you love?
October shows us that letting go makes space for what comes next. When we release with intention, whether in our own lives, in our planning, or in our grief, we create room for peace, clarity, and even gratitude. And that is how endings become softer, and love continues to carry forward.
If you are ready to explore what this season is teaching you, I invite you to begin the conversation. Book a free 45-minute connection call with me and let us discover together what peace and clarity look like for you.
