Wednesday, 1 October 2025

Autumn

 


Good morning, friends!  And a very happy autumn to you! I realise I'm a little late to this glorious seasonal party, but life took a rather hectic turn. In fact, it is still very busy, but I now realise that I really need to do something  about it. Being pulled in many directions, all at once, doesn't tend to end well. I'm not quite sure what needs to happen yet, but I'm considering several options.


Work is still going well. I'm enjoying my new role, although trying to get my head around everything is definitely challenging. I still have so much to learn, and the variety means I'm constantly on the go. But I do enjoy the faster pace - maybe not so much when the phones start ringing all at once!


When I'm not at work, I'm usually helping Lily, looking after the house, or caring for my family member. Life is a bit of a juggling act just now. I'm not complaining - honestly! We all know life can be tricky at times. It can also just turn on a sixpence. But something needs to give, before the decision is taken out of my hands. Much like the duck analogy, I'm gliding along the surface of the water, but paddling like crazy beneath. At the weekend, I spent some time talking things over with my friend, which was very cathartic. It also made me realise that I need to make some incredibly tough choices. 


In the meantime, autumn has arrived, and we've enjoyed some exceptionally beautiful days, here. The trees are gearing up for their most stunning display of the year, the mornings are deliciously fresh, and I'm embracing the darker evenings. Woolly blankets are on the sofa once again, and the cats are seeking cosy corners in which to sleep. 


Autumn. A timely reminder that it can be lovely to let things go.

Back soon.
J. X


37 comments:

  1. Stunning photo's again, they have caught the season. I hope you are able to make the decisions to enable your life balance to return.

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    1. Thank you, Marlene. The decision is going to be a difficult one. X

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  2. Beautiful images. It’s so difficult to know what to let go so that you can stop that endless cycle, isn’t it? I know I always struggle with it. I hope you are able to find a solution xx

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    1. Thank you, Louise. This is something that I have struggled with for quite some time. I keep putting it off, but I realise now that something has got to give. Xx

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  3. Life can be challenging at times, it's good to know that these phases do pass, though it doesn't feel as if change will ever happen sometimes. I'm sad that summer has come to an end but your photos demonstrate just how lovely autumn can be too.

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    1. I'm being pulled in different directions, Jo. And, unfortunately, there are no easy solutions. X

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  4. How I know well that juggling act…this time I lost and am currently recuperating at home…just my turn I guess. Go steady. Xx

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    1. Oh no! I'm sorry to hear that, Jackie. I hope you'll soon be on the mend. Xx

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  5. Always such lovely photos and it sounds like work is going well, that’s terrific! I understand the juggling act feeling - some days it feels like I’m spinning on a hamster wheel, as the saying goes…constantly moving, but never getting anywhere. And then I try to step back and remember I once heard, “This is life. Don’t miss it.” Across the many miles, I’m trying to follow your example-getting out in nature, discovering something new while working to make memories. Let’s both see if there’s something we can delete off of our lists, and begin saying “no” to things we just don’t want to do, or don’t need to do. New month, clean slate!

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    1. Thank you, Mary. I've sadly negelcted getting outdoors, recently, and I've noticed the effect on my wellbeing. Unfotunately, there's no easy way to rectify this, especially at this time of year, when daylight hours are shorter.
      I have a feeling that I will need to make bigger changes than I first thought. Xx

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  6. As always so lovely to have a post from you. Hopefully life will be a bit calmer for you soon whatever you decide. Wishing you well. B x

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    1. That's very kind of you to say, Barbara. Thank you. Xx

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  7. Hello lovely Friend!
    Yes, I feel what you're saying here and I have been in those seasons of life as well. I love that you talk to a friend, go on a hike and do the things that help you deal with the pace and all this season is bringing. Big hugs to. you and blessings for you always. The photos are stunning!! 🍁🧡

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    1. Thank you for your kind words, Carrie. I'm trying my best to stay positive, but it isn't very easy, just now. Xx

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  8. Life does get tough at times and carrying on a juggling act is not always easy.
    I do hope things may get a little calmer and more on an even keel for you soon.

    The photographs you've shared are beautiful.

    My good wishes for the new month of October.

    All the best Jan

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    1. You always say such lovely things. Thank you, Jan.

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  9. Lovely photos of autumn! I'm glad that work is going well and I hope that life becomes a little less hectic for you. Sounds like you have some hard decisions to make and I hope that you will be guided by what you know, deep in your heart, it what you need to do. Take care of yourself.

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    1. Thank you, Bless. If only I had a magic wand :)
      This weekend, I'm going to get on top of the housework, tidy up the storm damage in the garden, and give some serious thought to a way forward. Xx

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  10. I can't wait to see the photos that you take as the fiery autumn colours kick in. Keep on paddling .

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    1. There's nowhere more beautiful, in the autumn.
      Thank you, Cherie. I'm paddling like crazy here :) X

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  11. Wonderful photos. When life gets challenging it's good to take time out and explore the joys of seasons, nature and landscape. Take care:)

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  12. There are sentences there that apply to me exactly too. As for letting things go.............

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    1. Life isn't always straightforward, is it. I hope you're okay. X

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    2. Thank you Jules. I’m still aiming to complete my 80th decade.

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  13. Glad work is going well and you are enjoying it, that's half the battle. I'm sure you will make the right decisions about what to let go when the time comes, It's hard trying to keep everything going and in the long run you will burn yourself out. Take care x

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    1. Thank you, Maggie. There's a lot I'm having to juggle just now. Hopefully, I'll be able to make the right decision. Xx

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  14. I always likened those times as being on a roundabout that was going so fast I couldn’t get off. It was exhausting. Very little self care, until it seemed my body said enough is enough and forced me to stop. Now older and wiser my motto is, “this too shall pass”. When I start to feel overwhelmed I remember self care. It is now top of my list not bottom. Hope you find peace once decisions are made. Wishing you well Jules. June xx

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  15. You sound wonderfully refreshed and upbet despire the challenges of caring for your relative and your new position, Jules! The colours in your photos are a joy although here in the Midlands the temperatures are a positibely balmy 18°C so it's been bare arms and bare feet for pottering around the garden! xxx

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    1. Our days fluctuate between cool and mild. I frequently regret my morning clothes choices. Xx

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  16. Hi, very nice blog, I am new, I follow you 161, maybe follow back?

    https://myfashionworldbyt.blogspot.com/

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  17. Beautiful photos - the colours are wonderful, autumn is one of the best seasons. Caring for a family member is not easy - my mum will be 100 come January her savings now are all but gone as she has to have 4 hours care a day since September 2023 - almost £1,000 a week - eyewatering amounts! She is so much better though in her own little apartment because she gets almost 4 hours undivided attention whereas when she had the 5 months in a care home with her fractured hip she was lucky to have a carers attention for more than 10 minutes at a time. It is not easy finding that balance and I find it is constantly and quickly changing as my mum gets more confused and her mobility more limited. At the moment she rings me endless times a day to check that the carers will be going and then she forgets she has rung me and rings again. Luckily, I have friends in the same boat so we can support each other.
    I hope you come to a decision that feels right for you. x

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    1. This sounds all too familiar. Unfortunately, there are no straightforward solutions. Xx

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  18. Oh Jules, I hope you are able to find more balance, after making some difficult decisions. Maybe once those difficult choices are made, you will feel lighter. But on the plus side, it is good to read you are enjoying your new role, even though it is challenging. Sending you my very best good vibes to help you with your decisions x

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    1. I think my head is already there. I just need to make things happen now. Thank you, Christina. Xx

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