Listicles/Project Finding Beauty

A Way of Looking at October

Posted on by Khaya Ronkainen / 33 Comments

This is my way of looking at October, not just as a month, but as a state of being. A season of celebration, of stretching joy beyond a single day, of noticing beauty in unexpected places.

This year, I started celebrating my birthday early — a gentle rebellion against time and a love letter to life itself. What began last month continues joyfully through October. Because why should joy be rushed? There’s poetry too in remembering the world is still beautiful, people remain kind, and the sun continues to shine.

I’m talking about moments and choices that remind me that life, itself, is a celebration. As I previously wrote in a post, A Way of Looking at Time: one approach is to live life boldly, for you realise that you don’t know how the heck to look at time and its preciousness…

Here’s how I’ve been soaking it all in, so far:

1. Sun, Sand, and the Mediterranean

There’s no better way to honour another trip around the sun than literally basking in it and on the shores of the Mediterranean, where the sand and sea whisper their timeless secrets.

Soaking up the sun in Toulun

2. Dancing to Free Music in Lisbon

At the Portas do Mar Festival, joy was the only ticket needed. Music spilled into the air, and I let it carry me, grateful for life’s unplanned symphonies.

3. Climbing Mountains and Gratitude

Each step upwards was a quiet reminder: my body is capable, my heart is strong, and gratitude is the summit.

Feeling on top of the world in Andorra

4. Tiramisu in Andorra la Vella

Indulgence has its place. But when love and attention are added like a personal message meant just for you — in a mountain city that seems curious but hides itself — it becomes incredibly special. You take time to savour it.

5. The Grace of Being Welcomed

This season, I’ve been walking into places — not to take up space, not to shrink myself, but simply to be. And for a change, I didn’t have to force anyone to make room for me but felt welcomed. One such wonderful experience was in Toulun. It also allowed me to re-evaluate my own unconscious biases.

6. Chasing More Sunshine

Light and joy both become more abundant when we actively seek them.

Travelling slowly and enjoying the journey

7. A Birthday in Sardinia

Sardinia — a land of muses, poets, and timeless beauty. This island has always been on my travel wish list. So, spending my birthday here this year felt like a gift from the universe, a reminder that dreams sometimes come true in technicolour.

Going back in time in Alghero

8. Seeing Myself with Love

Perhaps the greatest gift is looking in the mirror and appreciating the person I see reflected.

Image of Yours Truly!

So here’s to October — a month for reflection, celebration, and discovering beauty in the most unexpected places.

If you’re an October baby too, happy birthday! May you find poetry in the every day, wonder in your journey, and warmth in every corner of your world. ♥♥♥

And to you all my fellow bloggers, happy autumn or the season you’re in!

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Khaya Ronkainen
Khaya Ronkainen is a writer, poet and creative professional. Her blog focuses on all things poetry and creative nonfiction.

33 Comments

  1. Happy Birthday! Celebrate You and Fall into this season’s Autumn 🍂

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  2. Happy Birthday month to you, and Happy Autumn, too! All Photos are exceptional, especially the last one! Yaaassss to the pose, it’s striking! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

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  5. Happy Birthday Sistah Khaya! 🥳 So glad to hear and share the peace you embrace in the moment. Beautiful my friend! 🤗📸😍 Cheers and enjoy! 🎉

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  6. Happy birthday, my dear October Poet! I traveled with you and celebrated your ‘state of being’ vicariously through your delightful & inspiring post. As you know, we are agreed on our love of October/fall…
    I have to admit that #5 made my heart sing out the loudest for you. hugs&happiness

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    1. What a lovely comment, Laura! So happy that you travelled (and keep travelling) with me as I search for beauty around the world. Thank you so much. And how can I forget our shared love of October and autumn! Hope you’re making the best of our birth month, too. <3 <3

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  9. “a gentle rebellion against time… ” Love that, Khaya and your soothing and inspiring post. Thank you and beautiful birthday blessings to you. 💖

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  10. Happy Birthday my fellow October Baby!! Beautiful post…love it ❤️!

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  11. Happiest birthday to you, my friend! I am so happy to see you truly celebrating it. You deserve it. I think of your recent newsletter: “I’m learning that midlife, like autumn, is not a closing chapter; it’s a new genre!” What I wouldn’t give to have had this wisdom when my body was young enough to reap it! But there is a whole new genre to explore and a new, wiser mind to do it with. I think we will both write beautiful stories in it 🙂

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    1. Much appreciate your birthday wishes, my friend. Thank you.🙏🏽 I’m super glad you resonated with the message in the latest newsletter. Going through midlife can be challenging, especially in these uncertain times and modern society. But instead of letting ourselves be swallowed by the darkness, we can embrace it as a new genre to explore; find beauty and joy from it all. Here’s to writing beautiful stories, and I might need you to literally hold my hand through as we do so! 😉💜

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  12. I want to tuck into your suitcase, Khaya. This post is heavenly. Travel, beauty, grace, well-being, openness, presence, and joy. What more could anyone ask for from October? Happy Birthday, my friend. You’re inspiring.

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    1. Diana, I’m so glad to hear you found this post inspiring. Thank you! <3 Autumn has its own beauty. After the busy but delightful October, November gives me space to breathe and finally read all the books lined up... :-) Hope you continue to enjoy the season too, my friend!

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