10 Super Simple fall self-care tips
When you think of the fall season, what comes to mind?
Cooler temperatures? Sweater weather? Colorful leaves? Pumpkin spice everything!?!
There is a lot to love about fall and there are also plenty of things that can really stress us out. What if we could take all of the cozy, celebratory, enjoyable elements of the season and leave all of the overcommitted, frazzled, exhausting parts behind?
Doesn't that sound nice!?!
As a way to help keep myself grounded and centered during this busy time of year, I regularly incorporate some simple practices into my life. I want to share them here with the hope that you’ll find some that resonate with you.
10 super simple fall self-care tips
1. Get yourself a good planner
With summer activities and vacations winding down and back-to-school events and the holiday season around the corner, fall is a critical time to have a simple and user-friendly planning system in place.
This is where having a solid planner is so important!
Now, there are countless planners out there and it can be overwhelming to figure out where to start. Depending on your style preferences, season of life, and budget, you have a ton of variety available to you. I have used the Blue Sky Planner for years and I find that it works really well for me. It's simple, straightforward, and super affordable!
With the goal of keeping your planner simple and user-friendly, select a planner that feels like a good fit for your current season of life.
2. Develop a morning routine
I need to let you know that I am NOT a morning person.
Not even a little.
I always assumed that as I got older and after having kids, I would find myself bouncing out of bed early in the morning, excited to tackle the day.
But nope.
I’m now in my mid-40s and my night owl tendencies still run deep.
It’s taken a lot of trial and error but I have created a morning routine that is simple and enjoyable enough for me to stick with it. And this routine sets me up for success the rest of the day!
Currently, this looks like waking up and making the bed, brushing my teeth and washing my face, getting dressed, then settling in for a little gentle stretching or foam rolling, 15 minutes of meditation, and some journaling.
This routine usually takes me an hour. Once I’m done I take my son to school and dive into the rest of my work day. This is sustainable for me because it’s simple and it incorporates my mind, body, and spirit, allowing me to prioritize my overall well-being. Regardless of what else happens during the day, I've set myself up for success with my morning routine.
Does this mean that I've now become the Queen of Morning Routines and that I've sworn off my night owl tendencies? Do I practice my routine every single day with joy and enthusiasm? Do I make sure to never-ever miss a morning?
Absolutely not!
I’m human, life happens, and my night owl tendencies will likely never go away completely. Sometimes I miss a morning, weekends are often hit or miss, and there are even times when I forget how important my morning routine is and abandon it completely.
But I always return to it eventually.
Because I know this morning routine is lifegiving and sets me up for success.
Create a morning routine that is realistic for YOU. If you’re a fellow night owl, struggle with mornings, and are often pressed for time, consider just a few minutes of moving your body, reading a few pages of a book, and sitting quietly while you breathe in and out several times. These small actions build over time and have powerful results.
Practicing a consistent morning routine will set a positive tone for your day.
3. Try a new morning beverage
What is your morning beverage of choice?
Are you a coffee drinker? Tea? Smoothie?
How about trying a new drink as a way to embrace the season? You might want a pumpkin or apple-inspired drink to enjoy on fall mornings. If there’s a certain flavor or a brand you’ve had your eye on, now is a great time to embrace something new.
Consider trying a new morning beverage as a way to celebrate fall.
4. Make a seasonal playlist
Are there certain songs that make you think of fall? How about making a fall playlist!?
Head to your music streaming service of choice and either create your own playlist or do a search for fall and see what pops up.
I use Spotify and here are several that I like and listen to:
Songs That Feel Like Fall
Folksy Fall Afternoon
Fall Feels
Autumn Pop
Jazz for Autumn
Embrace the fall feelings and enjoy listening to a seasonal playlist.
5. Get a candle that smells nice
A lovely way to embrace the fall season while prioritizing self-care is to get a candle that smells nice.
Think about scents specific to fall that you enjoy. What fragrances bring about feelings of warmth and coziness? Pumpkin, apple, cinnamon, cardamom, cedarwood, clove, and vanilla are all common scents that can evoke feelings of autumn. But what makes you think of this time of year?
Whatever scent resonates with you, get a candle that smells nice, light it, and enjoy ushering in the fall season.
6. Incorporate a daily positive affirmation
I am a huge believer in the power of positive affirmations. I use them daily as part of my self-care practice and I like to mix them up a bit anytime we transition into a new season.
I like to write out my affirmations by hand and read them aloud a few times each day. I also record myself saying them on my phone and will often listen to them while I walk my dog and before I listen to a podcast or audiobook.
Here are a few positive affirmations that are specific to fall that you might enjoy using:
I am letting go of limiting thoughts and embracing confidence.
I am releasing old harmful habits and embracing new positive habits.
I am honoring my body and resting when I am tired.
Choose a positive affirmation that resonates with you and use it daily.
7. Get outside and Notice changes in nature
What is the fall weather like in your location? It’s pretty temperate where I live but there are several trees nearby that boast beautiful fall colors and leaves that eventually cascade toward the ground.
I’m a fan of getting outside and noticing changes in nature, especially in the fall. I love the crisp fall air in the mornings and the way the sunlight streaming through my windows changes this time of year.
I encourage you to get outside and notice changes in nature.
8. Add coziness to your living space
Fall is all about being cozy! How can you add more coziness into your living space?
Plenty of cozy options have already been mentioned such as enjoying a new beverage, listening to a seasonal playlist, and lighting a candle. You might also want to incorporate big soft blankets, decorative pillows, twinkle lights, and fall-inspired artwork.
This doesn’t have to be fancy! In fact, I encourage you to keep it simple, cozy, and completely in line with what makes you feel warm and secure.
Add coziness to your living space to enhance the feeling of fall.
9. Find a seasonal book or show to enjoy
A great way to embrace the fall season and enjoy some simple self-care is to find a book or show that transports you to the autumn season.
Whether you’re in the mood for a cozy romance, historical fiction, or something on the spooky side, there are plenty of great options available.
If you’re looking for suggestions, check out the following:
Books that radiate a sense of fall:
How to Find Love in a Bookshop by Veronica Henry - I’ve just added this to my TBR list because it looks like the perfect fall read. A bookstore in an idyllic small town, romance, community and connection… this truly looks like fall in book form!
Pumpkin Spice and Not So Nice by Becky Monson - Clearly this book title is quintessential fall. Check this out if you’re looking for a RomCom.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - Mystery, suspense, magic, love, and high stakes. A great pick for a dark autumn night.
The Sparrow Sisters by Ellen Herrick - Described as “beautiful, haunting, and mesmerizing”, this story takes place in a seaside New England town where the location feels like another important character.
Shows that are perfect for fall:
Gilmore Girls - Any of the episodes that take place during the fall are perfect. Is anything as adorable as the Stars Hollow town square decorated to match the season!?!
The Chair - Collegiate autumnal vibes and Sandra Oh is a treasure.
Stranger Things - An ideal spooky show to embrace everything spooky and creepy.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina - More spooky vibes to add if that’s your jam.
Light a candle, enjoy your cozy living space, and settle into fall vibes with a seasonal book or show.
10. Keep your phone out of reach at night
If you're anything like me, it is such a struggle to stay away from screens at night.
Why is this so hard!?!
It’s so tempting to catch up on social media, check our email, or text a friend back while we’re in bed. These actions seem harmless enough but they often result in hours of wasted time.
10 minutes turns into an hour which ends up with staying up way past our intended bedtimes. Instead of reading an actual book or getting to sleep at a decent hour, we stay up way too late staring at our screens.
For years I would use the excuse that I used the alarm on my phone and therefore couldn’t possibly put it in the other room before crawling into bed. Have you found yourself using this excuse as well?
If this is the case and leaving your phone in another room besides your bedroom isn't an option, put your phone on the other side of your bedroom where there's no way for you to reach it unless you get OUT of bed to turn it off. Make sure you put it there before you get into bed and leave it there so you aren't tempted to get it out before you fall asleep.
While it might be tough at first, it really will enhance your sleep so do your best to keep your phone out of reach at night.
In summary, here are 10 simple fall self-care tips:
Get yourself a good planner
Develop a morning routine
Try a new morning beverage
Make a seasonal playlist
Get a candle that smells nice
Incorporate a daily positive affirmation
Get outside and notice changes in nature
Add coziness to your living space
Find a seasonal book or show to enjoy
Keep your phone out of reach at night
Let me know if any of these simple fall self-care tips resonate with you. And if you have any additional tips to add, please let me know!
If you’d like to chat about simple ways to incorporate self-care into your life this fall season, let’s connect for a complimentary 20-minute consultation and see if coaching is right for you. There’s never any pressure or obligation, just a great way for us to connect!
Click here to schedule your coaching consultation call today!