This week, we’re exploring life through a spooky but fun lens.

Life can be scary sometimes… but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the ride!

So get your costume on, and let's take a tour through some of life's haunted magic…

Enter the Haunted House

Think of life like a haunted house: sometimes dark, sometimes full of surprises, but always an adventure… IF you’re brave enough to walk through.

Imagine a haunted house in your mind. Open the door, and start peeking behind the curtains and in some of the dusty boxes. Our goal is to become curious, noticing the unknown parts of our lives.

Curiosity can feel scary when we don't know what's on the other side. The unknown parts of our lives can feel intimidating at first… like tasks we’re avoiding, changes coming our way, or feelings we don’t fully understand. 

But when we approach them with curiosity instead of fear, we start to notice the hidden opportunities and lessons.

So, instead of avoiding the spooky rooms, let's tiptoe or barge in and take a look around!

Two reflection questions before we proceed…

🏚️ What’s something in your life that feels a little scary right now?

🏚️ How could curiosity help you approach it differently?

Trick or Treat

We just took a walk around the metaphorical haunted house in our minds… Next, let's look at life’s little surprises.

Think of life as a giant trick-or-treat bag. Sometimes when you reach in, you get candy you absolutely LOVE!

Sometimes you get something a little spooky or strange — like a fake spider, or rat, or an apple — something you didn’t see coming! 

At first, it might startle you. You might even want to pull your hand back.

But here’s the magic: almost every surprise, sweet or spooky, has something to teach us, something to make us notice, learn, or grow.

Even the things that scare us a little can be gifts in disguise. Maybe it’s a challenge at work that feels intimidating, or an awkward conversation you’ve been avoiding. 

At first, it might feel like a trick, but if you look closely, there’s a treat hidden in there.

Maybe you learn something new about yourself, gain a new skill, or discover courage you didn’t know you had.

Today, I want you to notice the little surprises that come your way. Pay attention to the ones that make your heart skip a beat, the ones that make you laugh, make your voice shake, etc. 

When you start looking for the ‘treat’ in the trick, life feels a lot more playful, even when it’s a little scary.

One reflection question before we proceed…

🍬 Can you remember a recent surprise in your life that ended up being a treat, even if it felt like a trick at first?

The Potion of Courage

So far, we’ve walked through a haunted house in our mind, and gone trick-or-treating! 

Now, we’re brewing a special potion… the Potion of Courage.

Courage isn’t about never feeling scared.

Courage is about taking action EVEN when you ARE scared.

Every little act of bravery, like… speaking up, trying something new, or setting boundaries is an ingredient to our Potion of Courage! 

Okay, okay… so hear me out because I love a metaphor — but let’s go ahead and concoct our very own version of a potion of courage! I encourage you to lean into the playfulness.

Here are some ingredients for my potion of courage: a spoonful of patience, a dash of humor, a pinch of optimism, a sprinkle of curiosity. I’ll stir and adjust as necessary! 

What would you add to your potion? 

Every time you practice courage, you add a new ingredient. Over time, the potion grows stronger, and life’s scary parts feel a little less intimidating.

Today, notice where courage is needed in your life. 

Remember: the tiniest act of bravery still counts. Even a smile, a kind word, or a deep breath before a challenging task is part of the magic.

One challenge + one reflection question before we proceed…

🦁 Do one small act of bravery today. Notice how it makes you feel and celebrate it, even if it’s just a private happy dance.

🧪 What ingredients are in your Potion of Courage?

The Monster Under the Bed

We all have a ‘monster under the bed.’ 

Those little fears or worries that make our hearts race or keep us tossing and turning. 

Sometimes it’s a looming deadline, a tricky conversation, or a feeling we’ve been avoiding.

At first glance, it can feel enormous and scary… but here’s the thing: monsters often look much bigger in the dark.

Today, we’re going to shine a little light on our monsters. When we face them, notice them, give them a name, or take one small action… they begin to shrink. 

Often, we realize they weren’t as scary as we imagined, and sometimes they even teach us something valuable: courage, resilience, or insight.

Think of it like this: the monster isn’t here to harm you — it’s here to give you a chance to grow.

By leaning in, even just a little, you’re practicing bravery and discovering that life’s scary parts can actually be manageable!

One challenge before we proceed…

⚔️ Pick one fear or worry you’ve been avoiding and take a tiny action to face it today. Even noticing it and naming it is a win.

Celebrate The Spooky Adventure!

Take a moment to celebrate: the fears you faced, the courage you practiced, the surprises you noticed, and the shadows you explored. Even little steps are wins worth recognizing.

Halloween reminds us that a little fear doesn’t have to be paralyzing, it can be exciting. 

Life’s twists and turns, its unknowns and shadows, all contribute to the adventure.

And you’ve been brave enough to play along with the adventure with us.

So to close, I challenge you to do something fun and playful today to celebrate — wear a silly accessory, share a laugh, or treat yourself. You survived life’s little scares this week!

P.S. If you aren't a member of Focused Space, but could use a little help creating structure in your day, busting through procrastination, or getting motivated to push through the job search process… you are welcome to join us at one of our live guided work sessions, or morning planning sessions!

Take care,

— Suliel and the focused space team