Another summer has come and gone, which means fall is here. The days will get considerably cooler, the neighborhood will seemingly turn into sepia tone, and coats and boots will be back in circulation. Halloween and Thanksgiving will come, marking the end tail of what has been a difficult year.
There’s no denying that the past year has brought a unique set of challenges. But with everything that’s going on in the world, it’s still possible to be excited about the coming of a new season. Taking pleasure in life’s simple joys can provide relief and clarity in a situation that feels heavy and hopeless.
Here are a few simple ways to enjoy the season.
Prepare and decorate your home for fall.
Decorating your home is perhaps the best way to get into the holiday spirit. But before doing some decorating, start by ensuring your home is ready for what the season can bring. Some home maintenance things you can do to prepare for fall include but are not limited to:
- Cleaning your gutters
- Changing your air filters
- Investing in pest control services
- Replacing broken windows
- Fixing cracks in your driveway
Once your home is properly prepared for cooler and eventually freezing temperatures, it’s time to decorate! Get into the fall spirit by trying out trendy decoration ideas:
- Warmer colors. With fall comes the changing of leaves into shades of red, orange, brown, and yellow. Decorate your home with warm-colored rugs, pillows, artwork, and other decorative elements that keep with the color scheme.
- A cozy front entrance. The first thing guests will see before stepping into your home is the entrance. Create a cozy, comforting mood by hanging a floral or leafy fall-themed wreath or arranging some pumpkins and or warm-toned flowers or plants in the entrance to make your guests feel at home before they even step inside.
- Create a relaxing outdoor setup. With many places still in quarantine or lockdown, there’s no better time to create spaces in our homes that can serve as our cozy and safe haven. While it’s not yet winter, the backyard can give the feeling of being outdoors without actually having to go outside. Hang up some yellow-toned fairy lights. And bring out some warm-toned furniture and rugs and piles and piles of woolly blankets. Bonus points if you bring out a projector so you and your loved ones can watch holiday-themed films.
- DIY decor. You could also take this time to do some arts and crafts, like fall-themed centerpieces and mason jar lamps.
Eat and drink some fall classics.
Pumpkin spice is considered the “basic” drink of choice for a reason—it’s a fall staple! If you want to steer clear of the “basic” label, take some of the season’s favorites and give it your own twist. Some examples of fall comfort food you can try include:
- Cinnamon apples. Take some Granny Smith apples and dunk them in stirred butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and sweetened condensed milk. Add some yummy toppings for good measure.
- Baked goods. Pies, crisps, cupcakes, and other baked favorites can be given the autumn treatment by using flavors that are traditionally associated with the season, like apples, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, salted caramel, maple, ginger, and many others.
- New tea flavors. Fall is the perfect time to get into the healthy habit of tea-drinking. Explore some fall flavors and variants like chai, cranberry, and pumpkin spice.
Break out the sweater weather outfits.
Autumn is the best time to break out the jackets, coats, sweaters, and boots that have just been hanging in your closet for the past few months. Some top fall trends for 2020 include argyle prints, well-constructed patchwork, and reversible wraps and capes. Don’t be afraid to experiment!
Document the changing of days.
Being in quarantine can be tedious and boring, but it’s also the perfect time to reflect, spend time with loved ones, and catch up on the rest we have missed out on for the past couple of years. Take this time to document the passing of days through journaling or photography.
Journaling and self-reflecting have numerous health benefits, so if you find yourself feeling understandably low, start the habit of writing down your thoughts and feelings. It could just help pull you out of the funk.
There’s Always Room for Joy
Joy is more than just how we feel; it’s a state of mind and spirit that is not dependent on our emotions or circumstances. While we should never invalidate our feelings—times are hard, after all—it’s still beneficial to find small pockets of joy in the little things. Allow yourself to find it even in something small as the changing of seasons.