Adriana's Slow Living Diary at the Cusp of Autumn

The last moments of August make me feel a little sentimental. It actually happens every year. In a dramatic voice (:D), I like to ask my husband if he is willing to spend another Autumn of his life with me and remark that no amount of cinnamon buns or pumpkin spice lattes would make me happy if he weren’t there to enjoy them with me.

Over the years, I’ve (somehow) managed to grow an incredible audience with whom I now share the Autumns of my life, year after year. So, I think it’s only fitting to ask the same question to you, my dear reader – are you willing to spend another Autumn with me? :)

Before I dive into what I’ve been up to, let me share my current writing setup. I thought I might begin showing you where I’m writing from each time I post entries from Adriana’s diary - so it feels as if you’re sitting beside me and we’re chatting like old friends. That’s truly how I feel, because I pour so much of my heart and thoughts into these little letters you’re now reading on the screen.

Patio door open, candles lit, cosy jumper on, peppermint tea in my favourite mug… Ordinary holds so much charm, cosiness, safety and peace. I’m not saying never chase the extraordinary, but in the rush toward the big things, don’t lose sight of these precious little joys available at every turn.

And since we’re on the topic of working at the desk or table, let me share with you a meme kindly sent to me by Andrei - it had me laughing to tears. My posture surely lives up to medieval standards, ha ha!

Life has been both busy and slow.

Busy with the shop, writing, finalising the studio move (we’re transporting the wax-melting equipment and tables on Wednesday!), and just general everyday life: food shopping, cooking, cleaning, bored children at the end of the Summer holidays... Oh, how I’m looking forward to the quiet of September days.

Slow, because I mindfully paused and created moments of calm in the chaos of everyday life. Repeat after me: life will never slow down on its own - I have to create moments of slowness for myself whenever I can.

Oh, and the garden! It definitely kept me busy. I’ll have to re-think how much I want to plant next year, especially since I’m starting my book this September and will be writing and editing well into Spring/Summer 2026 (probably even longer, lol!). I really don’t want to spread myself too thin - like butter scraped over too much bread (to quote Bilbo :).

Anyway, here are my results from the 2025 growing season. I’m not even going to pretend - I’m VERY proud! And these photos don’t even show the entire bottom drawer of the fridge, which is stuffed with courgettes :)

Forgive me this un-aesthetic meal, but it’s homegrown courgettes and tomatoes with homemade bread. Now all I need is a chicken… kidding! I’d love a small flock of ducks or a cute puppy, but Andrei and I both agree this just isn’t the right time for our family to get animals. I just wanted to flex a little with my homegrown, homemade lunch :)

Posing with my tomatoes like men pose with their fish :D

In the slow living niche, I’ve noticed a few people starting - or re-starting - their vlogs, sadly using ChatGPT. Honestly, the emptiness and utter nonsense it spits out, writing in overly floral, poetic language, creating sentences that use a lot of words but carry little meaning…  I think technology has its place and purpose, but writing a slow living blog or newsletter with ChatGPT? Well, thank you - it really helps my blog stand out :D

AI might try to simulate human writing, but it doesn’t have my experiences, my daily struggles or know how it feels to be a woman just trying to enjoy her life without working herself into an early grave, while still balancing some ambitions and the desire to amount to something in life (even if it’s just, “Oh, remember Adriana? She used to bake amazing cakes”).

ChatGPT might generate a picture of a sunset, but it will never stand at the edge of a small Somerset village on a late August evening, watching the sun go down and feeling that overwhelming gratitude for simply being there. Let this last sentence be a gentle reminder to find something to be grateful for today too.

Next time I write to you in this Slow Living Diary series, it will already be September… I’m so looking forward to the next four months. I’m determined to embrace slow, cosy -BER months - beginning to write my book, continuing to nest in our new home and seeking joy in the ordinary. I warmly welcome you to join me on this quest :)

Thank you for reading,
Adriana x