Fall is a time when the soul rejuvenates, I think. The air is crisp, people feel warmer, & the word “cozy” becomes a lifestyle. Most of us still have work & school so it’s not very realistic to have this plan to sit inside with the windows open all day drinking warm apple cider & catching up on your favorite book series or favorite movies (but hey, that’s what Sunday’s are for). I thought I could share some ideas on how to make the most out of this lovely time while still keeping up with your daily schedule.

1. Wake up a little earlier

This first tip isn’t ideal for everyone but it is a great way to get some extra “me” time & enjoy the feeling of fall. I wake up on a normal day around 8 thanks to my lenient class schedule. An easy start would be staying in your PJS while you make your morning coffee (with pumpkin spice creamer) or tea with your favorite fall/coffee shop playlist going. This allows me to set the tone for a great day by not rushing & enjoying the time I have while no one else is awake to get ready & use that leisure time to run through my schedule for the day, watch YouTube videos, catch up with family on Facebook, or anything else you do first thing in the morning.

2. Make a “Today I am thankful for..” list

It is so easy to get caught up in all of the things you have to do or are doing that you forget the good things going on around you. This habit has helped me a lot with putting my life into perspective & understanding that everything you do has an impact on your life so appreciate those that do good. It doesn’t have to be a paragraph or have some deep reasoning for you to be thankful for it. All you have to do is get a post-it or journal & write down one thing your thankful for that morning. Maybe it’s chilly out & you can finally pull out your favorite sweater, I would make the entry “today, the 28th of October, I am thankful for the weather.” It’s a simple as that to remind yourself that the little things matter & it will be ok!

3. Take advantage of in season produce

Sometimes it’s frustrating to get into a food rut of ordering Postmates way more frequently than you’d like to admit or eating the same meals every day on a diet because it’s what you know. Look up the produce in season (linked below for October/November) & google recipes with the ingredients that appeal to you the most! My helpful hint for this would to be utilize your crockpot. I’ve had mine in my dorm for so long but never knew what to cook so I never used it! Then I decided to look up fall recipes & it opened so many delicious doors for me! It’s a great tool to use for when you know you’re going to work all day & you know you won’t cook at the end of the day. It’s also so much easier on your wallet to cook at home & seasonal produce is usually not marked up because they are being produced in mass amounts. It’s also nice for your mentality to enjoy home cooked meals every once in a while. Take advantage!

https://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/whats-in-season-fall

4. Take advantage of the weather

If you live somewhere that’s hot all year round, you’ll want to take advantage of the few moments of “fall” weather that come your way. This time of year is beautiful outside so take the extra few minutes to walk to work, take your dogs out on a new path while walking them, go bike riding with your kids, or any other leisure activities you might enjoy in the cool brisk air.

5. Volunteer

This time of year is lovely for most of us who are fortunate enough to be able to enjoy it. There are many people in every community that can’t, though. Take the time to go through your winter coats & donate those which you don’t use. Donate canned goods at your local church or school so some families can enjoy a thanksgiving. Volunteer at soup kitchen for those cold & hungry. Donate toys your children don’t use anymore to those who could never afford it. It’s tough to struggle through the holidays watching other families have fun. Do what you can to make it enjoyable for everyone.

6. Decorate & housekeep

Decorating is one of my favorite parts of the holidays. Scented candles & fleece blankets are some of the best things in life. Decorating your home & keeping it clean will make you feel better & keep some of the stress at bay knowing your house is in order during this time of gathering & family visits. It’s a great way to spend tons with family & get everyone’s spirits high. It’s also a fun idea to make DIY crafts with kids to decorate & make life long memorabilia. Happy decorating!

7. Take advantage of free events

Fall is full of carnivals, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, outdoor movies, & plenty of other fun activities for free! Google your area & see what’s going on! College is a great place for this because everyone is pretty much in the same financial & social boat as you. Take those opportunities to make friends or reconnect with old ones! You’ll probably get some great pictures & stories as well.

8. Read a book

I think it’s safe to say that most of us wish we had time to read more. Now is the perfect time! You can use an audiobook app such as audible on your walk to work or sit out by the fire with your favorite paperback. Let’s stop making excuses for why we don’t read as much as we’d like too & start making the time. Start a book club if you need a little push! This gives you the opportunity to connect with people interested in the same literature as you!

In conclusion..

Fall is a lovely time for reconnecting with yourself & others, slowing down, & enjoying life. There are so many great things to incorporate into your daily life but these are just some ideas from personal experience that really make fall special.