Karen Behdar
October always feels like a bridge. The holidays wind down, the sukkah gets packed away for next year, and fall quietly settles into Brooklyn. The air feels sharper, the sidewalks gather crisp leaves, and the rhythm of life shifts back to routine. School schedules are in full swing, sweaters are pulled from storage, and we begin to notice the subtle but steady change, not just in the weather, but in ourselves.
Transitions
This is the season of transition. Just as the trees shed what they no longer need, families and individuals alike begin asking themselves what it might mean to step into something new. For some, that reflection comes quietly. A kitchen that once felt lively and warm now feels too small when everyone gathers. A commute that seemed manageable in September begins to feel like a weight by October. For others, the realization is sparked by joy, like hosting guests over the summer and dreaming about a dining room that could seat everyone comfortably, or imagining a backyard where children’s laughter might ring more freely.
Real estate has its own seasons, too. Fall is rarely about rushing. It’s about planning, envisioning, and wondering. It’s when people start planting the seeds for what could become a new beginning in the spring or summer. This is the moment when questions rise to the surface, often quietly at first:
Is this the right neighborhood for the stage of life I’m in?
● Do I want to stay rooted here, or is something pulling me elsewhere?
● What kind of space would truly feel like a home?
● What would it feel like to live in a place that doesn’t just fit my needs, but nurtures my dreams?
The beauty of this season is that it doesn’t demand answers right away. Just like the leaves don’t fall all at once, change unfolds gradually. Sometimes, the first step isn’t a decision. It’s simply giving yourself permission to wonder. To picture what life could look like if your surroundings matched the stage you’re in right now.
And there’s something grounding about October itself. It’s a reminder that change is part of the rhythm of life. We move through cycles of celebration and quiet, expansion and reflection, building and resting. The homes we live in are part of that cycle, too. They carry us through seasons, but they also invite us to ask when it’s time to turn the page.
Sprouting Thoughts
Maybe this is the month you realize the walls that once sheltered your young family now feel like they’re pressing in as your children grow taller. Maybe it’s the month you walk home from school pickup and think, “I’d love to live just a little closer.” Maybe it’s the month you look around your living room and think about the warmth of hosting Shabbat or holiday meals in a space that feels more open, more yours.
Whatever sparks the thought, October gives us space to pause and consider. To sit with the questions without rushing into answers. To look at our lives and ask, “What would the next chapter look like if I allowed myself to dream a little bigger?”
So as the leaves turn and the air shifts, let yourself reflect on more than just the season. Think about where your story is unfolding and whether it’s time to imagine a different backdrop for the chapters ahead.
Because home isn’t just where you live. It’s where your story continues…