Fall is an optimal time to reset your life, your routines, and your goals.
Maybe it’s that “back to school” energy. Or it’s that fall’s cooler weather and changing of the leaves puts us in a more contemplative mood. But the seasonal changes we see all around us seem to inspire us to make changes in our own lives.
Use this transitional time to think about the ways that you can reset for fall. The end of the year always seems to flash by, as we try to wrap things up before the craziness of the holiday season ensues. Taking time in the fall months to identify and implement changes in your life can help you feel less harried, and more anchored.
So channel that “first day of school” feeling to come up with ways that you can start fresh in your life. Examine how you’d like to reset your goals, your home, or even your self-care routine.
Most of us wait until the end of the year to start reflecting on our goals or thinking about our new year’s resolutions. But if you wait until then, you’re not maximizing the valuable time that you have right now. So use the fall months to get a headstart on next year’s goals, or give yourself a final push on your current ones. Below are some ideas on how to reset for fall so that you can end the year on a cozy and confident note.
How to Reset Your Goals for Fall
Make headway on your current goals
Think about the goals that you’d like to accomplish or get closer to by the end of the year. Maybe you’d like to walk 10,000 steps a day. Or maybe you want to finally finish writing that novel that’s been sitting on your computer. Then, make a list of the things you can do everyday to get closer to your goal. In your planner, schedule out your action steps or tasks. Make sure you’re doing something in September, October, and November that gets you closer to your goal.
Select goals that you’d like to pursue in the new year
What are the goals that you’d like to achieve in the new year? It might help to write in your journal and think about the changes you’d like to bring in the following year. Maybe you want to widen your professional network. Or maybe you’d like to read more books. Or learn a new language. Write these new goals down in your planner. This way, you’ll have easy access to them, and you can start plotting ways to start working on your goal.
Refresh your office supplies
Back to school shopping isn’t just for kids. Use September as an opportunity to restock or refresh your favorite office supplies and tools.
Refresh your stock of pens. There’s nothing like looking at a fresh array of pens to get you excited about your work again. Stock up on pens that are easy to write with and throw in some colorful pens to brighten your desk. New pens transform an everyday writing task into something that is much more delightful.
Get a pretty new notebook. A fresh, new notebook is so full of promise. It’s an outlet for your thoughts, ideas, and exciting, new plans. It’s also a place to explore your dreams or goals. And a notebook with a charming cover will add such a nice touch to your workspace.
Prepare your home for fall
Embrace the season by bringing fall decor into your home. If you’re worried that your home will end up looking like a Halloween store, you can find subtle and stylish ways to evoke the season.
Swap out summer colors for autumnal ones. Replace your throw pillows and blankets with seasonal ones in yellow, rust, or orange. Use dishes and bowls that have darker hues or earth tones. These are just little ways to add autumnal accents to your space.
Incorporate autumnal scents. Pumpkin, cinnamon, all spice. These are some of the scents that we associate with autumn. Light a candle with notes of cloves or spice. Make a pumpkin pie. Or brew some apple spice tea. These aromas will have your home smelling like a cozy, fall day.
Put your summer clothes in storage. Maximize closet real estate by putting away your summer dresses, shorts, tank tops, and shoes. Bring your sweaters, pants, and light jackets to the front of your closet. Doing a wardrobe swap will get your closet tidy and organized for fall. It will also save you time getting ready in the morning.
Spend time in nature
In the summer months, when it’s so hot and humid out, the last thing we want to do is go for a walk or take a hike or do anything outside. So take advantage of fall’s cooler weather and spend more time in nature.
Put on your hiking boots and explore a new trail. Or eat lunch outside. Or take a long walk after work to decompress.
And because of fall’s shorter days, you’ll definitely want to get in some outdoorsy time in the morning or afternoon. Don’t forget to take in the stunning fall foliage, and the cool, crisp air, and the crunch of leaves beneath your feet. These sensorial moments will help you appreciate fall’s little pleasures.
Carve out time to reflect on the past year
As we mentioned earlier, fall puts us in a more introspective mood. So use the fall months to write in your journal and reflect on the past year.
Some questions you can ponder:
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What are some of your favorite moments from the past year so far?
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What activities or experiences brought you joy? What would you like to do more of in the remainder of the year?
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What challenges did you encounter? And what can you do to address these challenges the next time around?
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What do you love about fall? What can you do to help you savor this time of year?
We hope these exercises inspire you to reset for fall and enjoy everything this season has to offer.
Written by JiJi Lee