As the leaves turn into shades of gold and amber, we are gifted with the perfect opportunity to reconnect with nature's rhythm and embrace seasonal living in Autumn. Autumn brings with it a unique charm, an invitation to slow down, reflect, and appreciate the beauty of change.
Living seasonally during this time is not only a celebration of this colorful transition, but it also reaps significant benefits for our well-being. It allows us to align our lifestyle with nature's pace, leading to a more balanced, grounded, and mindful existence.
The shift in weather, produce, and daylight offers a plethora of activities tailored to make the most of what the season has to offer.
From hearty fall harvest foods to cozy indoor activities, vibrant outdoor explorations, introspective journaling sessions, and festive home decor, each aspect adds a distinctive flavor to our autumnal experience.
So here are 75 ways to fully immerse yourself in the autumn season, appreciating its unique character and savoring its bountiful offerings.
Indoor Activities for Autumn
Cozy up with a Good Book: Autumn is the perfect time to tick off those books from your reading list. Grab a blanket, brew some coffee, and dive into a world of imagination.
Autumn Scrapbooking: Collect fallen leaves, dried flowers, and sentiments of autumn to create a memorable scrapbook.
DIY Candles: Make your home smell like autumn with DIY scented candles. Think pumpkin spice, cinnamon, and apple scents.
Pumpkin Carving: An age-old autumn tradition. Grab a pumpkin and let your creativity flow.
Bake Apple Pie: Nothing says autumn like a homemade apple pie. Enjoy the process of baking and savor the warm, delicious result.
Knit a Scarf: As the weather cools, knitting can be a therapeutic indoor activity. Plus, you'll have a cozy scarf to wear when you're done.
Indoor Camping: Set up a tent in your living room for a fun indoor camping experience. Don't forget the marshmallows for roasting.
Movie Marathon: Compile a list of autumn-themed movies and organize a movie marathon.
Autumn-themed DIY Decor: Create your own unique autumn decor like leaf garlands, pinecone wreaths, or a centerpiece for your dining table.
Cook a Hearty Soup: Autumn is all about warm, comforting foods. Try your hand at cooking a hearty vegetable soup or a roasted pumpkin soup.
Remember, these are just suggestions to get you started. Autumn is a season of warmth, comfort, and togetherness. Embrace those elements in your indoor activities and make this fall season truly special.
Outdoor Activities for Autumn
Leaf Peeping: Autumn paints landscapes in beautiful hues. Take a walk or plan a drive to admire the riot of colors.
Pumpkin Picking: Visit a local pumpkin patch for an afternoon of pumpkin picking. It's a fantastic way to soak up the autumn atmosphere.
Open-air Picnic: Wrap up warm, pack some hearty sandwiches and hot drinks, and enjoy an open-air picnic amidst the autumn foliage.
Mushroom Hunting: With a guidebook in hand, explore the woods for different types of mushrooms. Remember, never eat them unless you're absolutely sure they're safe!
Corn Maze: Test your navigation skills at a local corn maze. It's a fun and challenging outdoor activity perfect for the whole family.
Bonfire and Marshmallow Roasting: Gather friends and family around a bonfire for a cozy autumn evening. Don't forget the marshmallows for roasting!
Autumn Camping: Experience the beauty of autumn up close with a camping trip. The crisp air and vibrant landscape make for an unforgettable experience.
Apple Picking: Visit an orchard and enjoy apple picking. This activity is not only fun but also yields ingredients for your autumn recipes!
Bird Watching: Autumn is a great time for birdwatching as different species migrate. Grab a pair of binoculars and a guidebook, and enjoy this peaceful activity.
Fishing: As the water cools, fishing can be especially fruitful in autumn. Plus, it's a relaxing way to enjoy the season's serene beauty.
Remember, the joy of autumn lies in the simple pleasures. So, get out there and experience the beauty and tranquility of the season.
Planning, Journaling, and Introspection in Autumn
Autumn Goal Setting: Use the transition into the new season as an opportunity to reflect on the year so far and set goals for the remaining months. You could do this on your own, or involve your family or friends in the process.
Journaling: Start an autumn journal to document your thoughts, ideas, and experiences throughout the season. This can provide a valuable reflection tool and serve as a beautiful memory keepsake.
Gratitude Practice: Autumn, with its harvests and Thanksgiving celebration, is an ideal time to start a daily gratitude practice. Write down three things you're grateful for each day.
Vision Board: Create a vision board that represents your goals and ambitions for the autumn season. This could include anything from fitness goals to new recipes you want to try.
Meditative Walks: Use the beautiful scenery as a backdrop for mindful, introspective walks. Try to tune into the sensory experiences of the season.
Reading Challenges: Set a goal to read a certain number of books this autumn. Making a list of books you want to read can make this activity even more enjoyable.
Autumn Bucket List: Write a list of all the activities you want to do this autumn and tick them off as you go.
Reflection Prompts: Use prompts such as "What am I most looking forward to this autumn?", "What do I want to let go of?" and "What am I thankful for?" to guide your reflection and journaling.
Mind Mapping: Use mind maps to brainstorm ideas for autumn activities, meals, and personal goals. This can be a useful and visually pleasing tool for planning.
Cooking Goals: Plan to learn new recipes or cooking techniques this season, and keep track of your progress in your journal.
Autumn Family and Friends Activities
Apple Picking: Spend a day at a local orchard picking apples together. This activity can be enjoyed by all ages and often includes hayrides and cider donuts.
Pumpkin Carving: A classic autumn activity, pumpkin carving is a fun way to express creativity and make spooky decorations for Halloween.
Leaf Pile Jumping: Raking leaves can turn into an afternoon of fun. Create a big pile and let the kids jump in!
Corn Maze Adventure: Visit a farm with a corn maze for an exciting family-friendly challenge.
Autumn Hike: Take in the beautiful autumn scenery with a family hike. Pack a picnic and find a trail with colorful fall foliage.
Dinner Parties: Host a thematic dinner with an autumn-inspired menu for your friends.
Homemade Cider: Making your own cider is a fun project that results in a deliciously fresh beverage to share.
DIY Autumn Wreath: Gather autumn leaves, twigs, and pine cones to create your own autumn-themed wreath.
Baking Party: Invite friends over to bake and decorate autumn-themed cookies or pies.
Camping Trip: Enjoy the cooler weather with a family camping trip. Build a campfire, roast marshmallows, and enjoy the starry skies.
Autumn is the perfect time to create cherished memories with your loved ones while enjoying the beauty of the season.
Autumn Home Decor Guide
Pumpkin Arrangements: Try your hand at a DIY pumpkin arrangement to bring some festive autumn flair into your home.
Leaf Art: Collect fallen leaves and use them to create beautiful, unique art pieces for your walls.
Dried Flower Bouquets: Preserve the beauty of autumn flowers by drying them and arranging them in vases.
Autumn Candle Scents: Fill your home with the warm, comforting scents of autumn by choosing candles with notes of cinnamon, pumpkin, or apple.
Cozy Throws and Blankets: Make sure you have plenty of cozy throws and blankets on hand for chilly autumn evenings.
Autumn Wreath: Create your own autumn wreath with leaves, twigs, berries and other seasonal materials.
Rustic Lanterns: Illuminate your space with rustic lanterns and warm, soft lights.
Harvest Centerpiece: Design a harvest-inspired centerpiece for your dining table with gourds, leaves, and candles.
Fallen Leaf Garland: String together fallen leaves to create a natural, organic garland for your mantelpiece or windows.
Autumn Color Palette: Introduce autumn shades like burnt orange, mustard yellow, and deep red into your home decor.
Embracing the Autumn Solstice and Moon Cycles
Celebrate the Autumn Equinox: Recognize the change of seasons and start of Fall by having a small celebration or ritual on the day of the Autumn Equinox, when day and night are equal.
Moonlight Walks: Experience the beauty of the full moon during an evening walk. The autumn air and the luminous moonlight create a serene atmosphere.
Moon Journaling: Keep a journal to record your feelings and thoughts during different phases of the moon. It can be an introspective way to connect with the lunar cycle.
Learn about the Lunar Calendar: Delve into the lunar calendar and learn about its correlation with the seasons. It's a fascinating journey into the age-old connection between the moon and agriculture.
Star Gazing: Autumn nights provide a perfect opportunity to watch the stars. Learn about different constellations and their significance in folklore.
Foods to Relish in Autumn
Seasonal Produce: Autumn brings a bounty of fresh produce. Incorporate pumpkins, apples, pears, sweet potatoes, and Brussels sprouts in your diet for a taste of the season.
Apple Pie: An all-time autumn favorite, homemade apple pie is a delicious way to use the apples from your picking adventures.
Pumpkin Soup: Warm and comforting, pumpkin soup is a healthy and delicious meal perfect for chilly autumn evenings.
Roasted Chestnuts: There's nothing quite like the taste of roasted chestnuts on a cool autumn day. They're easy to prepare and make a great snack.
Caramel Apples: A delightful treat for kids and adults alike, caramel apples are a sweet way to celebrate the apple harvest.
Fig Jam: Figs are in season in autumn. Making fig jam is an excellent way to preserve their flavor and enjoy it year-round.
Sweet Potato Casserole: This hearty dish, with its tasty mix of sweet potatoes, butter, and pecans, is the ultimate comfort food for autumn.
Mulled Cider: Mulled cider, with its warming spices, is a delicious and fragrant beverage to enjoy on a crisp autumn evening.
Roasted Squash: Roasted squash, with its sweet and nutty flavor, makes a delicious and healthy side dish for any autumn meal.
Hazelnut Cookies: Celebrate the autumn with these delicious cookies, packed with the rich flavor of hazelnuts.
Remember, eating seasonally is not only beneficial for your health, but it's also a wonderful way to connect with nature's cycles.
My Top 10 Things to do in Autumn for Seasonal Living
I know it is impossible to pack in all 75 of these fun fall activities. Yet, in these few Autumn months we are inclined to enjoy a scenic drive, perhaps visit a national park, watch the leaves change color, have a fall picnic, visit an apple orchard, roast pumpkin seeds, sit by the fire pit, add fall decorations to our homes, light fall candles, or cook up our favorite fall recipes. Oh wait, there I go. The list just keeps going. In this spirit, I am sharing my personal favorite things to do in autumn for seasonal living to help inspire your list.
Harvest Season Eating: Embrace the harvest season by incorporating foods like pumpkins, apples, and root vegetables into your meals.
Apple Picking: Visit a local orchard and spend an afternoon apple picking. It's not only a fun outdoor activity but also a way to support local farmers.
Nature Walks & Leaf Peeping: As the leaves change, take regular nature walks to appreciate the transforming landscape and visit somewhere with vibrant fall colors.
Full Moon Walks: Enjoy a tranquil walk under the full moon's glow, an enchanting experience that beautifully merges autumn's crisp air with lunar majesty.
Sweater Weather: Pull out your cozy sweaters and scarves. Dressing seasonally helps you connect with the rhythm of nature.
Star Gazing: Autumn's clear, dark skies provide the perfect backdrop for stargazing. Spend an evening or early morning identifying constellations and embracing the universe's vastness.
Autumn Home Accents: Reinvent your living space with accents like throw blankets, essential oils, Autumn flowers & decorative pillows in warm fall hues. It's an instant mood booster.
Warm Drinks: Enjoy seasonally appropriate drinks like apple cider, pumpkin spice latte or hot cocoa.
Bonfires and Marshmallow Roasting: Organize a bonfire night. Roasting marshmallows and telling stories around the fire can be a great way to spend a chilly autumn evening.
Gratitude & Introspection Journaling: Autumn is a season of harvest and abundance and a time for letting go. Take this time to keep a gratitude and introspection journal and reflect on the things you are grateful for and what you may need to release in this season.
This is by no means meant to be the "best" ten things, just simply a start at narrowing a really large list. These are perhaps my go-tos. And even as I write these, several others stand out as a perfect way to celebrate the season. My hope is my favorites list inspires you to build your own favorite fall activities list comprised of your best things to do in Autumn for seasonal living.
Conclusion: The Rewards of Embracing Autumn's Rhythm
Embracing the autumn season and living in sync with its rhythm brings an undeniable sense of wellbeing. This time of year presents a unique opportunity to connect with nature on a deeper level, observing the vibrant colors that paint our environment and feeling the crisp autumn air.
The myriad of activities available, from apple picking to cozy indoor crafts, fosters a sense of community, honing in on relationships with loved ones. Incorporating seasonal foods into our diet not only supports local farmers but also nourishes our body in harmony with the season.
Meanwhile, actions like gratitude journaling provide a chance for introspection and acknowledging our blessings. Truly, by living in sync with the season, we're not just going through the motions of life, but actively participating with nature's ebb and flow, enriching our overall life experience.
