Welcome to October! After a whirlwind September, I’m ready to find our fall rhythm.

Last month seemed to move at full speed from beginning to end—wonderful, exciting, and busy in all the best ways. Karen, Kiya, Sandy, and the rest of us at Unconditionally Her have barely stopped moving. And somehow, October has already arrived.

I’m ready for it.

Finding Our October Rhythm

There is something about fall that feels as though life begins to find a more even rhythm. The days soften a little, and the evenings come sooner. We start reaching for sweaters, warm drinks, favorite recipes, and maybe a little more time at home.

And for me, it’s time to decorate the mailbox with yet another theme!

Even when the calendar is still full—and ours certainly is—fall seems to give us permission to settle into the season rather than race through it. That might mean lingering over morning coffee or pulling out a recipe we haven’t made since last autumn. Sometimes, it’s simply taking a moment to enjoy the decorations before adding the next thing to our list.

Welcome to October at Unconditionally Her

There is a lot happening in the world of Unconditionally Her this month.

Our October calendar includes a fabulous book club retreat in Colorado, travel to Canada, the Southern Festival of Books, and preparations to launch the Cooking with Grammy cookbook.

The cookbook process has been an adventure of its own. While I haven’t been part of the cookbook team, I understand it has been challenging at times, to say the least. As I write this, however, things are wrapping up, and we look forward to sharing the cookbook announcement soon!

And just yesterday, we announced an exciting new chapter: the formation of Unconditionally Her Publishing. This new division will bring meaningful stories to life through books, giving authors a place to share their voices and readers even more to discover. For a platform built on storytelling and connection, it feels like a natural next step—and a wonderful way to begin October!

It is one of the things I love most about what Unconditionally Her has become. It is certainly a magazine, but it is also stories and books, travel and gatherings, conversations, friendships, service, food, laughter, and experiences we get to share with one another.

It continues to grow in ways that invite all of us to be part of something beyond the page.

Stories to Enjoy This October

That spirit carries right into our October issue.

This month, Karen brings us storytelling with a touch of October mystery, along with a few seasonal cocktails and another travel adventure. Lori takes us to South America and into the kitchen, while Allison writes about the special experience of traveling with the woman who raised you.

Kiya has us thinking about connection, goodbyes, and even the way children experience youth sports. Becky brings both comfort food and our latest book club selection. Pam writes thoughtfully about grief, and Sandy gives us another opportunity to slow down for a little coffee and contemplation.

And in A Time to Bloom, I’ll be talking about “Harvesting Gratitude”—something that feels especially fitting this time of year.

As we welcome October together, I hope you find something in these pages that speaks to you. Perhaps it will inspire your next adventure, introduce a new favorite recipe, or offer words you didn’t realize you needed.

Making Room for Gratitude

Maybe October doesn’t really ask us to stop. Maybe it simply invites us to find a better rhythm: to enjoy where we are while still looking forward to where we’re going.

To make room for a trip, a good book, a shared meal, a conversation, an old tradition, or a new adventure.

And every now and then, to simply notice the season we’re in.

We have quite a month ahead of us, and I’m so glad you’re here to share it with us.

Welcome to October!

Be Encouraged, Be Empowered, Be Inspired—Be Unconditionally YOU!