The busy month of October will soon be drawing to a close.

It’s been wild.

October is both Breast Cancer Awareness Month and World Mental Health Month.

It’s also Transport Month, Marine Month and Social Development Month.

It is also the month that begins the scurry toward the end of the year. (Unless you started earlier, in which case, why?).

Everyone is trying to save for December. People have already started buying their ingredients for Christmas lunch. The shops are already advertising their holiday ‘specials’. The malls are full. You’ve (already) planned your leave. The flights and buses are booked. The presents are being searched for.

Chillax.

Chillax in your slacks.

This doesn’t have to be you.

If things are a little quieter than usual and you find yourself enjoying that quiet, that’s okay. If you don’t feel like going home, that’s okay too. If you want to stick it to the shops with all their suspicious specials and eat noodles for the entire holiday, you’re most welcome to do so.

Remember, you’re not obligated to buy everyone gifts. Especially if it’s for someone you’re only begrudgingly spending your hard-earned money on. Just be polite and say that on their behalf you’ve declined the present you would’ve given them and instead have decided that the gift of knowing you is enough.

At this point we would like to state unequivocally that we’re not trying to start a “Boycott The Holidays!” movement.

We’re just saying do the holidays the way you want to do them.

Your schedule is already tight. Don’t stress yourself further.

Google says stress is bad and we want you to be healthy.

Speaking of which;

Remember, too, to do breast exams on yourself regularly and to get examined by a doctor or nurse annually. Get that chest checked if you notice or feel anything out of place.

Hey, don’t be all, “Nah, I’m sure it’s nothing”.

We don’t have to endure these things or put it off until later because there’s too much to do or because we don’t want to hear that something may actually be out of sorts. (Looking at you Nwabisa).

Take the time to get checked now so that you may have more years later.

You’re important, and so is your mental wellbeing. If you’re stressed or feeling out of sorts, even if you’re experiencing a positive state of mind and you feel conflicted about it, talk to someone. Speak to either a professional or someone who is willing to listen unbiasedly.

Take care of those sexy minds.

Maybe you’ve been feeling great lately and you don’t know how to deal with it.

“Is this too good to be true?”
“Why are things looking up all of a sudden?”
“Is it okay for me to be this happy?”

Especially if there are other not-so-great things happening around you.

Listen, it is okay. Be happy. Enjoy your positivity. Life is not a zero-sum game.

(You being happy does not take away someone else’s happiness).

We felt these exact same things recently, when we were invited to showcase some of our items – our satin scrunchies to be exact – at PopUp [SPRING] Shop in Canal Walk, Cape Town.

They’re a collaboration between two Women-owned South African businesses – PopUp Shop Shop and Homemade Cape Town. Every season they create a new concept under which they curate a selection of products from independent African businesses.

In fact, if you are looking to spend your cash on the people you love, the PopUp [SPRING] Shop is the perfect place to find all the good gifts.

A few announcements for you:

• We have a sweet sweet Black Friday Sale coming up soon in November.

AND

• We’ll be closed from 20th December 2022 to 9th January 2023.

• During this time we will be taking orders but they will only be sent out after we open.

Most importantly: While we’re away, take care of your hair this holiday and book those salon appointments early.

And before we go we would like to pose a question: Does anyone celebrate Halloween? If so, how and why?

Comment on this post or on our Instagram, TikTok or Facebook accounts.

You can check out the PopUp [SPRING] Shop on Instagram and Facebook as well.

Buy our stuff.

• – The H Word

Mental health resources:

• SAMFH – Mental Health Resources
• South African Depression and Anxiety Group
• Mental Health SA

Breast cancer resources:

• MHCMF – National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
• Breast Clinics
• Buddies For Life