caring for yourself:
It’s no secret that I love autumn. There is something so romantic about the entire season. Maybe it’s the candle light, maybe it’s soothing music, maybe it’s the opportunities to gather. All I know is that there is abundant beauty to be found in this change of seasons. That is why romanticizing autumn is at the very top of my to do list for the coming months. But how does one go about romanticizing a beautiful autumn? Well, here’s what’s on my bucket list.
01. Embracing the change
Being someone who doesn’t like change – at all, in any way – the changing of seasons has always been a welcome reprieve for me. It feels like a natural place to reset and to level set, both myself and my home.
I like to start with simple tasks I don’t typically do during the warmer months: Tiny things like cleaning the windows, swapping out floor mats, and adding cozier throws to the sofa. These tiny changes help me envision my world in a new light. It’s a simple act that helps me embrace the season in a gentle way.
It’s also when I start baking more, making heartier meals, perfecting my sourdough recipe (which incidentally has a long way to go…) I think romanticizing autumn has to start with a warm embrace of the season. And one of the simplest ways to do that is to really love your home, through care, through nutritious meals, and through cozy touches.
02. Spending time in the season
What does it mean to spend time in the season? Well, it means being intentional about spending time outdoors, doing things that are seasonal. That’s things like leaf-peeping, visiting a pumpkin patch, taking a walk on an early foggy morning, or putting together a picnic full of autumnal goodness.
If we are really romanticizing autumn, then we must first and foremost find ourselves spending time in the season. What I love about this aspect is that it is virtually a freebie. Taking a walk along a local path, breathing in the mossy fragrance of fall, packing a picnic lunch filled with apples or pears, cinnamon cookies, or pumpkin spiced iced coffee… these are all simple and inexpensive ways to thoroughly embrace the season and spend time in it.
03. Cozying up and settling in
While spending time in the season is a vital aspect of romanticizing autumn, cozying up and settling in is also as important. In the United States, many homes have a living room or great room, along with a den or family room. They are generally smaller in size, and are intentionally cozy.
In the UK, these rooms are referred to as snugs. Is that not perfect? The climate there tends to lean more to the cooler, damper side than in the US, and so having a space that is intentional about snuggling and cozying up, well… I think it’s the perfect way to romanticize autumn.
So how does one go about that if they are on a limited budget, or have limited space? Well, I think it all comes down to being intentional about what defines cozy for you. It may mean bringing out your favorite blanket, or lighting your favorite scented candle. Maybe it’s that first cup of pumpkin spiced chai tea, or the first pot of chili simmering all day on the stovetop.
That’s the beauty of it all! You get to decide what defines comfort and coziness to you, and then you get to create that feeing in your home.
04. Creating comfort
As the days shorten and the temperatures fall, romanticizing autumn wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t create comfort. Just as you get to define what cozy is for you, you also get to define what comfort is for you.
I look forward to the first chilly morning when I can swap out my lightweight summer robe for my fuzzy winter robe. I look forward to wearing my knit sweaters and thick woolen socks. And I love – absolutely love – adding a quilt to our bed. These simple touches bring so much comfort to me.
But comfort can also be the music you listen to, the places you go, the foods you eat, or the activities you choose. Romanticizing autumn is about embracing the change, spending time in the season, cozying up, but it also means creating comfort. Why not take a cue from nature and give yourself a little time to rest and relax and just reset for a bit.
05. Imagining your bucket list
I try to imagine what an ideal autumn would include, and then I try to check off as many of the boxes as I can. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be. So what is on your bucket list for autumn? Here’s mine.
- A slow paced rainy day
- Pumpkin spiced coffee
- Chai Tea Latte on the first cool day of autumn (It has to be 50 degrees or cooler. Bonus points if it’s raining)
- Walk in the park on a foggy morning
- Picnic by a lake or stream
- Wearing fuzzy socks with boots!!!
- Snuggling up under a cozy blanket
- Watching You’ve Got Mail for the billionth time
- A pot of chili for Sunday afternoon football
- Leaves… All the fall leaves…
06. Finding inspiration
One final thought I want to leave you with. If you’re new to the idea of romanticizing your life, let me offer you some inspiration. Romanticizing autumn doesn’t have to be a whole undertaking or project. It can be as simple as finding a new playlist, adding a few fall touches to your home, or creating a bucket list of things you would really enjoy.
An Autumn Playlist:
xo, Billie
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