Dix

ibido ọzọ...the one where we start again...and again.

It feels so good to be back in your inbox after a little pause. I've missed writing to you. The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of family needs that required my full presence - the kind that leaves your heart full but your energy reserves completely depleted. You know those seasons where you're pouring from an almost empty cup? That was me.

Some days, I'd stare at my laptop screen, wanting to write but finding the words just wouldn't come. My morning ritual of brewing coffee and sitting down to write/journal felt more like a mountain to climb than the gentle sanctuary it usually is. So I decided to honor what my mind and body were telling me… to rest, to step back, and to fill my own cup again.

Isn't it funny how we often need to relearn the very things we claim to value? I write about slow living and intentionality, yet I found myself rushing through days, neglecting the practices that ground me.

But here we are at the start of a new month. A perfect time for gentle beginnings, for starting again, for setting intentions that honour both our ambitions and our limitations. For me, this month is about finding my way back to the rhythms that sustain me - the slow mornings with a book, the mindful coffee brewing sessions, the quiet moments of just being.

Intentions for a Gentler Month

Here's what I'm carrying into this month:

1. Morning stillness before digital noise
I've fallen back into the habit of reaching for my phone first thing, scrolling before my eyes are fully open. This month, I'm reclaiming those first golden moments of the day; just me, my thoughts, and eventually, a warm mug between my palms.

2. Cooking again
When life gets busy, cooking is often the first thing I sacrifice. But there's something so grounding about creating something with your hands, about feeding yourself with intention. Even if it's just a simple breakfast or an uncomplicated dinner.

3. Reading without pressure
My TBR pile has become more of a mountain of guilt than a source of joy. I'm releasing the "should" around reading and returning to it as pure pleasure. Ten pages before bed, a chapter during lunch - whatever feels nourishing rather than obligatory.

4. Space between commitments
I've been working way beyond my hours, forgetting to take breaks in between. This month, I'm building buffer zones — little pockets of emptiness where I can breathe between work/activities.

What about you? Is there an intention that feels right for you this month? Something small and doable that might bring a bit more spaciousness to your days?

From My Kitchen: Honey-Cinnamon Overnight Oats

When life feels like too much, I turn to recipes that practically make themselves. These overnight oats require just five minutes of evening prep for a breakfast that feels both nourishing and just a little special. It's become my anchor on busy mornings, + it’s the only way I can consume oats.

You'll need:

• ½ cup rolled oats

• ½ cup milk of choice

• ¼ cup plain yoghurt (I prefer sweetened)

• 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup)

• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

• Pinch of salt

• Apple slices

• Optional toppings: sliced banana, a spoonful of peanut butter, a sprinkle of toasted coconut, and granola

To make: Simply stir everything together in a jar or container, cover, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, add your toppings and perhaps a little extra milk if you prefer a looser consistency. That's it.

Currently Reading

I'm still reading "These Letters End In Tears" by Musih Tedji Xaviere, and the others I have been talking about in my previous letters.

Final thoughts: for a gentler month

As we step into this new month together, I hope you find ways to be gentle with yourself - to create little pockets of slowness even on the busiest days, to say "no" when you need to preserve your energy, and to remember that rest is not a reward for productivity but a necessary part of a well-lived life. Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is to move at our own pace in a world that's constantly rushing.

I'd love to know: What's bringing you comfort these days? Is it a morning ritual, a particular food, a corner of your home, or something else entirely?

Till my next letter, may your coffee be warm, your mornings be slow, and your days have little pockets of peace.

Daalụ 💕