Shelby Miller As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, we instinctively embrace the comforts of autumn. Yet, this season isn’t just about cozy sweaters and pumpkin spice; but rather an invitation to embody the transitional nature of the season. It’s the perfect time to craft a short but sweet seasonal bucket list that encapsulates the very essence of this magical time of year.
Whether you’re seeking autumnal adventures, creative pursuits, or a return to self-care, we hope that the ideas below inspire you to curate your own unique bucket list as we transition into the fall season.
Autumnal Adventures
Take a Hike!
As someone who has always lived in places with a robust fall and winter season, I personally understand how increasingly difficult it is to get outside as the temperature begins to fall. Immersing ourselves in nature, however, has countless benefits for our physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Connecting to the outdoors and enjoying the transformative beauty of autumn is a practical ritual to embody the changing of the seasons. Whether it’s a hike through local trails, a daily stroll through your city streets, or a more ambitious adventure, I encourage you to bundle up and notice the warmth of the sun on your face and the crunch of leaves beneath your feet.
Movie Magic
Chilly, dark evenings of fall are picture perfect for cozying up with a spooky film. If you’re looking to stay in, not a problem. Pick a movie – whether a 90’s slasher flick like Scream or something more family-friendly such as Disney’s Coco, and embellish on the theme with inspired lighting, décor, snacks, and beverages. Bonus points for snagging all the pillows and blankets in the house to create the ultimate blanket fort!
We love to spice up a weeknight with a low-effort, high-reward activity and cannot think of anything more fitting than a trip to the movies. Look into your local theaters for Halloween-themed events as many will have watch parties screening throwback horrors. Another option that’s on my personal bucket list is to attend my first drive-in! We plan to move the aforementioned blanket fort into our car and bring all the classic snacks (popcorn and junior mints, anyone?)
Main Character Energy
Immersive experiences scream fall fun, and they’re not just limited to pumpkin patches and apple picking. Explore your local area to uncover a treasure trove of unique autumn activities. Many cities host captivating Halloween pop-up experiences, giving ordinary spaces the Spirit Halloween treatment. Mystery dinners offer a thrilling combination of dining and sleuthing and local live jazz is always a winner for date night. Keep an eye out for Halloween parades, haunted ghost walking tours, and other seasonal events that are both affordable and sure to evoke the spirit of autumn.
Creative Pursuits
Embark on a Culinary Adventure
We experience the changing of seasons through all our senses, and fall is encapsulated by aroma of warm spices, crisp leaves, and freshly baked goods. As we begin our long hibernation, it’s the ideal time to be present in the hearth of our home, the kitchen.
Tap into a craving and gather ingredients for a recipe that you’ve perhaps been putting off. Simmer a pot of Pappa al Pomodoro, a Tuscan meal for rainy days. Bake a five-ingredient rustic bread recipe, and don’t worry too much about how it turns out. Test run a new addition to your upcoming Thanksgiving menu. Cooking is an act of creation and love. Working with wholesome, seasonal food can be a means of connection to ourselves and our loved ones during a season that encourages quiet inspiration.
Get Crafty
As the sun sets earlier, the allure of candlelight grows stronger, casting a warm and inviting glow throughout your home. While we all love the occasional delicious yet overpriced candle, why not embark on a creative journey and craft your own?
With an open mind and keen eye, head to your local thrift store and seek out candle holders, glass bowls and unique tchotchkes that resonate with your style. You might also find unused, unscented candles in bulk – these can be melted down and given new life. Once you’ve found the perfect vessel, delve into the candle-making process, which is surprisingly straightforward and immensely satisfying. Here are some helpful posts to get you started:
Hot wax not your thing? Upcycle found furniture, channel your inner model by setting up a moody photoshoot or go shopping in your own closet to curate new outfits.
Not only will your creations illuminate your space with ambience and joy, they’ll also add a touch of handmade charm to your fall aesthetic and serve as a reminder to romanticize your surroundings through a bit of low-cost creativity.
Don’t Forget the Classics: Bonfires and Jack O’ Lanterns
Fall wouldn’t be complete without the time-honored tradition of carving pumpkins. Gather your loved ones for a jack o’ lantern carving session. Design your spooky or silly creations, and as dusk falls, illuminate your handiwork with flickering candles. Surround yourselves with the warmth of a crackling bonfire, toast marshmallows, and savor the enchantment of storytelling under the starry skies.
Seasonal Self-Care
As the seasons shift and transform, it’s vital to prioritize self-care to maintain a sense of balance and well-being. Seasonal transitions can be a time of reflection, rejuvenation, and self-pampering. In this section, we’ll explore the significance of self-care during these periods of change and offer practical suggestions for nourishing your body, mind, and soul. Whether you’re looking for relaxation at a local spa, a cozy evening of self-indulgence, or ways to enhance your living space for the upcoming season, we’ve got you covered.
I.T.G.I.R.L
What better way to embody the It Girl mentality while unwinding and recharging than by indulging in a DIY spa night right at home? The itinerary: set the vibe by lighting one or preferably all of your homemade candles, find a “fall ambience jazz” channel on Youtube and take a moment to journal as you ease into a tranquil evening dedicated entirely to yourself.
Non-negotiables include a long, hot shower or bath, ordering your favorite take-out, making a warm, soothing, healthful beverage, and turning on one of those movies that are just better when viewed alone (we’re talking sappy rom-coms or psychological thrillers, whatever feels right). Highly recommend putting your phone away to avoid that doomscroll timesuck. Take an evening to intentionally shake off external energies and be present with your thoughts. Head to bed early, read until your eyes get heavy and wake up feeling aligned.
Fall Cleaning
Spring cleaning is nice but have you ever deep cleaned your home before a long season of hibernation? Change out your lighter linens to cozier counterparts, dust away all remnants from summer and adorn your home in autumn inspired textures and colors. For bonus points, organize your kitchen cabinet, alphabetize your spice rack and mop those floors. My personal finishing touch is to blow a pinch of cinnamon through my front door to welcome abundance and prosperity through the transitions ahead.
In the rhythm of the seasons, just as spring brings the impulse to clean and renew, the arrival of autumn presents a unique opportunity. As we bid farewell to the wide-open spaces of summer, our homes become the focal point of our daily lives. It’s during this transition that a desire to reorganize, refresh, and rejuvenate our living spaces naturally arises. Fall cleaning isn’t merely a practical chore; it’s a heartfelt act of nesting, a way of nurturing the sanctuary we call home to better suit the coming months.
It’s the perfect time to sift through your belongings, allowing only those items that truly resonate with the season’s spirit to remain. There’s a sense of satisfaction in ridding your home of the excess, making space for the essence of fall to permeate every corner.
Moreover, home improvement projects, big or small, can become a source of fulfillment. Repaint a room in a soothing, earthy hue to evoke the colors of fall’s foliage. Add some rustic elements or invest in soft, plaid throws and cushions to infuse your space with autumn’s charm. By nourishing your living environment, you’re not only preparing for the approaching hibernation but also crafting an inviting haven where you can savor the season’s simple pleasures.
Eat the Frog
Did this list just get increasingly less fun? Stay with me! For those unfamiliar, “eat the frog” is a saying that urges one to quit procrastinating and complete an onerous task once and for all.
A spa night at home can soothe the soul but self-care is more than surface level habits. Take a moment to tend to yourself in a real way. Is there a doctor’s appointment that you’ve been meaning to make? Perhaps it’s been a minute since you’ve had a financial check-in. It probably wouldn’t hurt to ensure your voter registration record is current. How about that local library you’ve been meaning to join?
May you feel empowered to act on those lingering items as not to bring any dead weight into the days and weeks ahead. Go forth and eat your frog.
Conclusion
Just as the leaves turn from vibrant greens to warm hues of red and gold, we too can transform the mundane into magic. Whether it’s embarking on a picturesque hike in the heart of nature, embracing your inner artist through creative projects, or simply taking time for self-care rituals, this season beckons us to find balance in the ebb and flow of life.