This September, I’ve begin the month with the following intention, to reclaim my mornings, and to give myself space to breathe.
The first thirty minutes of my day are mine now. No books, no courses, no distractions—just silence, reflection, and a conversation with myself. In that quiet, I asked what I truly want these last four months of the year to be about. The answer came with surprising clarity: make space.
Space in my digital life.
Space in my physical surroundings.
Space in my mind to dream, to breathe, to live.
A Morning Discovery
After that reflection, I felt a sudden, almost urgent desire to step outside. I showered, dressed, and wandered into my neighbourhood. To my surprise, I noticed details I had overlooked for so long—the new plants outside the building next door, the gentle trickle of a fountain, a bakery run by a chef whose pastries are, quite honestly, divine.
I bought a pain au chocolat and stood by the fountain, listening to the water and the birds, feeling the breeze against my skin. In that moment, I felt profoundly alive, as though I had stepped into a painting of divine creativity.
My September Promises
From that moment, I knew what this month is calling me to do:
- Make space in my environment and in my mind.
- Be mindful of what I consume—keeping the news to a minimum, avoiding useless conversations, and instead immersing myself in beauty.
- Feed my imagination with things that spark joy and creativity—Architectural Digest, Solo Travelling with Tracee Ross, books that crack open my imagination.
- Say yes to life’s pleasures unapologetically, without worrying about who understands or approves.
- Live life in colors, embracing time as the precious, fleeting gift it is.
Time is flying. Each day passes more quickly than I can grasp. So, this month, I promise myself to keep the promises I’ve made—to honor my time, my joy, and my desire to live vividly and fully.
A Coffee Ritual of Gratitude
Making space is also about counting blessings. For me, one of those blessings is the ritual of making coffee. It’s more than a drink—it’s a pause, a prayer, a reminder of life’s ease and abundance.
Here’s how I make mine:
Ingredients
- Coffee (or tea, if that’s your preference)
- Water
- Fresh milk (I love cow’s milk for its richness)
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger
- 2 cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 cardamom pod
Method
- Add everything into a pot.
- Let it boil slowly, giving the spices time to release their fragrance.
- Pour into your favorite mug.
For me, that mug is yellow. Yellow is the colour of the sun, and the sun means life. Holding it in my hands feels like holding a piece of life itself—bright, warm, and sustaining.
As I sip, I give thanks—for the coffee, for the spices, for the hands that grew them, and for the quiet moment to enjoy them.
An Invitation
This September, I choose to live with intention. To create space, to keep promises, to immerse myself in beauty, and to count blessings, one cup of coffee at a time.
And I invite you to do the same:
- What space can you make for yourself this month?
- What promises can you honor that you’ve long postponed?
- What daily ritual can you turn into a moment of gratitude?
Because when we make space, we make room for life to pour in—colorful, vivid, and alive.
Salima
Just me thinking out loud over here